Derek O.

I spent the first three and a half years of my legal career at a civil litigation firm in Great Falls, where I developed my skills as an advocate in both transactional and litigation- oriented matters. I successfully represented clients in matters involving insurance coverage and defense, complex products liability, real estate transactions, and a variety of other legal matters. I was privileged to represent the town of Browning in a water rights dispute before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Likewise, I authored the amicus brief for the Montana Defense Trial Lawyers Association in the case of Meek v. Eighth Judicial District, which examined arbitrary health care pricing in the context of civil lawsuits. My diverse practice experience, along with my skills as a litigator and advocate, can be an asset for a variety of different clients. I also had the great privilege of serving as the Director of Elections at the Montana Secretary of State’s office. I successfully represented the office during the legislative session, assisted in the defense of a federal voting rights lawsuit before the U.S. Supreme Court, and was Montana’s chief elections official charged with administering the first congressional special election in nearly half a century. I also served at the Montana State Auditor’s office as a legal policy advisor. I worked to examine the pharmaceutical industry and create consumer-focused legislative solutions to combat rising prescription drug prices. At the same time, I managed a caseload of insurance and securities regulatory matters, and represented the Auditor’s office in a unit determination matter before the Board of Personnel Appeals. In January of 2021, I was appointed as the General Counsel, then Chief Deputy Attorney General, at the Montana Department of Justice. I supervised more than 50 attorneys and support staff working in areas of criminal prosecution and appeals, consumer protection, multi-state antitrust litigation, and general civil litigation. I provided legal advice and counsel to the Attorney General and the Department of Justice. Most recently, I took on the role of Chief Legal Counsel and Director of Government Affairs for the Montana Family Foundation. In this role, I am responsible for all litigation and legal services provided on behalf of the Foundation, which includes legal services to a variety of elected officials throughout the State of Montana. Further, I am responsible for developing and executing a successful government affairs program both during the regular and interim legislative sessions in Montana. With my broad experience and background, I am confident that I can provide quality legal analysis, service, and consultation for any client. I am licensed in Montana state and federal court, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court.