Brian L. Taylor

Member

Brian Taylor practices in our Billings, Montana office.  Mr. Taylor is a litigation attorney with a historically diverse practice.  His practice primarily focuses on civil defense where he has represented clients in a wide variety of cases including bad faith and product liability.  He also represents a number of insurance carriers in traditional insurance defense matters and insurance coverage issues.  His experience in the product liability field has covered a wide spectrum of self-insured automobile manufacturers and component part manufacturers. His experience representing automobile manufacturers includes a three-plus week trial in Great Falls, Montana involving a traumatic brain injury. 

Mr. Taylor’s litigation defense practice is centered in the field of transportation, insurance, medical malpractice, trucking, municipal entities, and product liability.  His experience in traditional insurance defense litigation includes property damage claims, personal injury claims, and larger construction defect lawsuits.  Mr. Taylor’s practice also includes representing many employers in employment related actions. Mr. Taylor has participated in numerous trials in both State and Federal Court throughout Montana.

Practice Areas

Bar Admissions

  • Montana, 1997
  • U.S. District Court, District of Montana
  • U.S. District Court, District of Colorado

Location

Billings Office

175 North 27th Street
Suite 1101
Billings, MT 59101

Education

JD: Gonzaga University, 1997, magna cum laude
BA: Montana State University, 1994, Finance, With Honors

Contact

taylorb@hallevans.com

More About
Brian

Resume

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Career Distinctions & Honors
  • Martindale-Hubbell®, AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated
  • Judge Robert P. Goff Pro Bono Award, 2011
  • Served as Special Master for Judge Sandefur, Cascade County District Court, State of Montana
Professional Associations
  • Montana State Bar Association
  • Cascade County Bar Association
  • Montana Defense Trial Lawyers Association
  • Montana State Bar, CLE Institute
  • National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel
  • Yellowstone Area Bar Association
  • International Association of Defense Counsel
Decisions
  • GER v. Florence: Strict liability for dog bite claim, Missoula, Montana in 2020.
  • Niedermeyer v. Geyser Whitewater: Wrongful death and survivorship claims related to a whitewater rafting accident, Bozeman, Montana in 2018.
  • Tsohonis v. BNSF: FELA claim in Billings, Montana in 2014.
  • Brennan v. Ford Motor Corp. and Firestone: Products liability related to a tire de-tread in Great Falls, Montana. Matter was tried twice, first trial lasted 17 days.
  • Ray v. Connell, 371 P.3d 391: Obtained Summary Judgment which was upheld on appeal to the Montana Supreme Court in a case involving alleged libel and slander issues in 2016
  • Allison v. Farmer Brothers Co., 2018 WL 3609537: Obtained Summary Judgment in Federal Court in a wrongful discharge from employment matter in 2018.
  • Baker v. Hartford Life & Accident Ins. Co., 2016 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 20571: Obtained Summary Judgment in Federal Court in a case involving long term disability benefits in 2016.
  • Sorlie v. City of Billings: Obtained Summary Judgment for the City of Billings, Montana on an alleged negligent building inspection claim in 2020.
Articles & Publications // Presentations // Webinars
  • Speaker, Montana Municipal Interlocal Authority, Defense Counsel Summit, Helena, Montana, 2019
  • Speaker, “Montana Insurance Law,” American Hallmark Insurance, Fort Worth Texas, 2009
Business & Community Service
  • Former Board Member for the Cascade County Law Clinic, an organization devoted to providing pro bono legal representation to those in need
Professional Experience
  • Prior to joining Hall & Evans in 2013, Mr. Taylor was a partner at Jardine Stephenson, Blewett & Weaver in Great Falls, Montana.
Other Activities
  • Mr. Taylor enjoys spending time with his wife and two wonderful daughters. In his spare time he enjoys skiing, snowmobiling, and soccer.
Blog Posts About Brian

Gina M. Rossi

Member

Gina Rossi is a trial lawyer with a diverse civil litigation practice that includes transportation, premises liability, products liability, medical malpractice, wrongful death, catastrophic injury claims, hospitality & retail, recreation, construction & design and professional liability. Her personal injury experience is broad, and most recently includes representing national railroad companies facing claims involving the Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA), as well as other entities and individuals involved in the practice areas noted. Representative clients include construction related entities, property management companies, assisted living and skilled nursing facilities, physicians, railroads, trucking companies, and individuals facing licensing matters with the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies. Gina has experience in all phases of litigation, from the immediate investigation of catastrophic incidents through trial and appeal. 

Gina previously worked for Johnson & Bell, Ltd. and the Chicago Transit Authority in Chicago, Illinois. Since moving to Denver from Chicago, Gina has obtained defense verdicts in several cases with seven-figure pretrial demands. She also married her college sweetheart, become a mother to two adorable daughters, and is enjoying life with her family in Colorado.

Recently, Gina completed a DU Professional Mediation Training course. Having participated in hundreds of mediations in her career, and seeing how the right or wrong mediator can impact resolution, Gina felt it was time to expand her practice into the role of a mediator. If your case needs an engaged and effective mediator, please reach out to Gina directly for more details.

Practice Areas

Bar Admissions

  • Colorado, 2014
  • Illinois, 2008
  • Utah, 2018
  • Missouri, 2020
  • Kansas, 2020
  • U.S. District Court, District of Colorado
  • U.S. District Court, District of Utah
  • U.S. District Court, District of Kansas
  • U.S. District Court, District of New Mexico
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois

Location

Denver Office
1001 17th Street
Suite 300
Denver, CO 80202

Education

JD: John Marshal Law School, 2008, magna cum laude
BA: University of Dayton, 2005, Political Science, magna cum laude

Contact

rossig@hallevans.com

More About
Gina

Resume

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Career Distinctions & Honors
  • The Best Lawyers in America®; Railroad Law, 2021-2025
  • Colorado Super Lawyers®, “Rising Star,” Personal Injury General: Defense, 2017-2022
  • Illinois Super Lawyers®, “Rising Star,” 2012-2014
Decisions
  • Hunter v. Sasquatch Casino, LLC, et al., 2016 CV 31698 (Jefferson County, CO)
  • Holmgren v. Union Pacific Railroad Company, 2016 CV 030322 (Denver County, CO)
  • Cox v. The Union Printers Home, et al., 2014 CV 030888 (El Paso County, CO)
  • Johnson v. Farm Bureau General Insurance Co., 2011 L 007516 (Cook County, IL)
  • Robertson v. Fry, 2009 M1 303620 (Cook County, IL)
  • Acuity v. Thelbert Thompson, 2007 L 2568 (Cook County, IL)
  • Hendrix v. Chicago Transit Authority, 2008 M1 301022 (Cook County, IL)
Professional Associations
  • National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel
  • Colorado Defense Lawyers Association
  • Utah State Bar Association
Articles & Publications // Presentations // Webinars
  • Presenter, “Two for the Price of One: Strategies for Defending FELA Cumulative Trauma Claims Combined with Acute Incidents,” National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel Annual Meeting, July 2024
  • Presenter, “The Art of Trial Objections,” Faculty of Federal Advocates, July 2022
  • Panelist, “Joint Insurance Committee and Construction Section Lunch and Learn,” Colorado Bar Association, September 2021
  • Presenter, “Defending Traumatic Brain Injury Claims,” ALFA International Regional Client Seminar, March 2021
  • Presenter, “Maintaining Standards of Professionalism in Dealing with Opposing Counsel: Keeping Your Cool When Opposing Counsel Isn’t,” Colorado Defense Lawyers Association, February 2021
  • Presenter, “Love me Tender, Yes it’s True. Accept this Defense Tender or We Will Sue,” National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel, July 2020
  • Presenter, “Taking and Defending Depositions,” Colorado Bar Association’s Litigation Nuts & Bolts CLE, May 2019
  • Presenter, “Liability Waivers and Social Media Tips and Ethics,” National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel, March 2019
  • Presenter, “Protection of Pre-Suit Claims Investigations from Discovery,” Seminar for large self-insured companies, May 2017
  • Presenter, “Investigating and Litigating Claims Under the Colorado Premises Liability Act,” Rocky Mountain Association of Special Investigation Units, July 2016
  • Author, “Diminution on Value and How it Impacts Evaluating Claims,” Hall & Evans, LLC, November 2015
  • Author, “A Cook County First Municipal Department Primer,” Johnson & Bell Ltd., Winter 2013 Insurance Newsletter
  • Author, “Reducing Treating Physicians’ Deposition Fees,” Illinois State Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, February 2012 Newsletter
  • Author, “Proof Without a Proof of Loss,” National Society of Professional Insurance Investigators, Fall 2011 Newsletter
Blog Posts About Gina

Andrew P. Reitman

Member

Andrew Reitman is an experienced trial attorney whose practice includes transportation, hospitality/recreation, construction, professional liability, premises liability, and catastrophic personal injury claims in state and federal courts. A former prosecutor, Drew has tried over forty civil and criminal cases.

In his transportation practice, Drew represents national railroad and trucking companies facing suits involving claims under the Federal Employers’ Liability Act (FELA), the Safety Appliance Act, the Locomotive Inspection Act, grade crossing accidents, trucking accidents, toxic exposure claims, and wrongful death claims, from initial response and investigation through trial.

Beyond transportation, Drew has defended universities, retailers, recreation companies, hospitality companies, and other entities facing high-exposure wrongful death, personal injury, premises liability and other tort claims, including alcohol over-service claims under Colorado’s Dram Shop Act. In his construction practice Drew represents architects, engineers, consultants, general contractors, subcontractors, and other construction professionals in complex litigation and arbitration under Colorado’s Construction Defect Action Reform Act (CDARA) and Consumer Protection Act. In a recent trial, Drew obtained a complete defense verdict for a general contractor in the face of a seven-figure pretrial demand.

Practice Areas

Bar Admissions

  • Colorado, 2010
  • Kansas, 2020
  • Missouri, 2023
  • Nebraska, 2018
  • Wyoming, 2017
  • U.S. District Court, District of Colorado
  • U.S. District Court, District of Kansas
  • U.S. District Court, District of Nebraska
  • U.S. District Court, District of Wyoming
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Missouri

Location

Denver Office
1001 17th Street
Suite 300
Denver, CO 80202

Education

JD: University of Denver Sturm College of Law, 2010
BA/BS: Colorado State University, 2007, History, Construction Management, Dean’s List

Contact

reitmana@hallevans.com

More About
Andrew

Resume

Linkedin

 

Career Distinctions & Honors
  • The Best Lawyers in America®; Railroad Law, 2021​-2025
  • Colorado Super Lawyers®, “Rising Star,” Transportation/Maritime, 2022-2023
  • Scholastic Excellence Awards: Trial Practice, Advanced Criminal Procedure
  • John Moye Corporate Law Scholarship, 2009
Professional Associations
  • Minoru Yasui Inn of Court
  • National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel
  • Nebraska Defense Counsel Association
Professional Experience
  • Deputy District Attorney, Fourth Judicial District, Colorado Springs, CO, 2010-2013
  • Judicial Intern, Judge Michael Martinez, Second Judicial District, Colorado
  • Judicial Intern, Judge Jack Berryhill, First Judicial District, Colorado
Articles & Publications // Presentations // Webinars
  • Presenter, “Wrangling Experts: The Best Part of Being a Litigator,” NARTC 30th Annual Special Litigation Conference, 2022
  • Presenter, “Defending Traumatic Brain Injury Claims in FELA Litigation,” NARTC 29th Annual Special Litigation Conference, 2019
  • Co-Author, “50‐State Survey of Licensed Design Professional’s Stamping and Sealing Obligations,” ABA Forum on Construction Law, Division 3, 2018
  • Presenter, “Ethics and Legal Liability for Prosecutors,” Denver District Attorney’s Office, 2014
  • Author, Several Court Reports in the University of Denver Water Law Review, Volumes 13:1, 13:2
  • Production Editor, Securities & Corporate Law Blog, www.theRacetotheBottom.org
Other Activities
  • Cycling, backcountry snowboarding, travel, and golf.
Blog Posts About Andrew

Elizabeth K. Olson

Member

Ms. Olson has a diverse practice, including construction and design, premises liability, general casualty, contract disputes, commercial matters, product liability, and professional liability. She brings a unique perspective because of the wide range of disciplines in which she practices. Ms. Olson is responsible for developing the strategy for and handling cases from inception through trial. She has litigated cases in both state and federal courts in Colorado and Arizona and has brought successful resolution to cases through mediation, arbitration, trial, and appeals.  She is dedicated to providing the best service and achieving the best outcomes for her clients.

Practice Areas

Bar Admissions

  • Arizona, 2008
  • Colorado, 2009
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, District of Arizona
  • U.S. District Court, District of Colorado

Location

Denver Office
1001 17th Street
Suite 300
Denver, CO 80202

Education

JD: Arizona State University, Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, 2008
BA: Rice University, 2002, Economics and Ancient Mediterranean Civilizations

Contact

olsone@hallevans.com

More About
Elizabeth

Resume

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Decisions

In addition to negotiating many favorable settlements, Ms. Olson’s accomplishments include:

  • Won summary judgment on behalf of tourist railroad as to personal injury claim based on back of ticket waiver.
  • Obtained full payment on mechanic’s lien claim for landscaping contractor.
  • Obtained a defense verdict in a jury trial representing apartment complex owner and manager in case involving alleged slip and fall on ice.
  • Won motion for determination of question of law on behalf of civil engineer limiting damages to $50,000 as to all claims in multimillion dollar construction defect case involving elementary school.
  • Won summary judgment on behalf of an apartment complex owner in premises liability case involving alleged slip and fall on hot tub stairs.
  • Won motions to dismiss on claims for unlawful detention; malicious prosecution; alleged violation of the Colorado Consumer Protection Act; negligence; intentional infliction of emotional distress; RICO violations pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1961-68; over serving resulting in liability; defamation; and slander.
Blog Posts About Elizabeth
Career Distinctions & Honors
  • Colorado Super Lawyers®, “Rising Star,” Civil Litigation: Defense, 2017-2020
  • CALI Award of Excellence in Philosophy of the Law
Appeals
  • Nasious v. Colo., 495 Fed. Appx. 899 (10th Cir. 2012)
  • Wagner v. Am. Family Mut. Ins. Co., 569 Fed. Appx. 574 (10th Cir. 2014)
Articles & Publications // Presentations // Webinars
  • Speaker, “Shaping the Independent Tort Duty: When and to Whom Is One Owed?” Colorado Defense Lawyers Association Summer Conference, July 2016
  • Co-Author, “2015 Notable State and Municipal construction Defect Claim Reforms Aimed at Reducing Litigation and Promoting New Construction,” Under Construction the Newsletter of the ABA Forum on Construction Law, Vol. 17 No. 4
Professional Associations
  • Colorado Bar Association
  • Denver Bar Association
  • Colorado Defense Lawyers Association
Business & Community Service
  • Reading tutor with “Reading Partners” in the Denver Public Schools
  • Volunteer, Constitution Day, 2014

Daniel J. Bristol

Member

Mr. Bristol practices civil litigation, particularly in the contexts of transportation, premises liability, construction, and commercial litigation.   He focuses on building close working relationships with his clients, including learning the unique business and priorities of each client.  Mr. Bristol also emphasizes frequent and open communication with his clients, including providing early and accurate case evaluation.  Mr. Bristol practices in Colorado state and federal trial courts as well as Colorado state appellate courts and the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals.  His practice ranges from representing individuals and small businesses to large corporations, and he has litigated and tried cases with small amounts in controversy or millions of dollars at stake.

Practice Areas

Bar Admissions

  • Colorado, 2006
  • U.S. District Court, District of Colorado
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit

Location

Denver Office
1001 17th Street
Suite 300
Denver, CO 80202

Education

JD: University of Denver Sturm College of Law, 2006
BA: University of Colorado at Boulder, 2002, English, Dean’s List

Contact

bristold@hallevans.com

More About
Daniel

Resume

Linkedin

 

Career Distinctions & Honors
  • 5280 Magazine, “Top Lawyers,” Transportation, 2024
  • Colorado Super Lawyers®, “Rising Star,” General Litigation, 2017-2020
  • Colorado Super Lawyers®, “Rising Star,” Personal Injury General: Defense, 2015-2016
Articles // Publications // Presentations // Webinars
  • Presenter, “Current Trends in Freight Broker Liability,” ALFA International Transportation Phoenix Regional Seminar, November 2, 2018
  • Presenter, “Rapid Response in the Automated World,” ALFA International Webinar Series on Trending Topics in Transportation, November 6, 2018
  • Author, “Recent Developments in Colorado Law Demonstrate Important Exceptions to the Collateral Source Rule,” The Transportation Lawyer, Vol. 21, No. 1, July 2021
Professional Experience

Prior to joining Hall & Evans, Mr. Bristol was a Partner at Godin & Baity, LLC.

Professional Associations
  • Colorado Motor Carriers Association
  • Defense Research Institute
  • Transportation Lawyers Association
Other Activities

Mr. Bristol enjoys spending time in the mountains with his wife, daughter, and two sons.

Decisions

In addition to negotiating many favorable settlements, Mr. Bristol’s accomplishments include:

  • Winning summary judgment in federal court on behalf of a trucking company in a multi-million dollar wrongful death case involving debris from a blown truck tire, Turan v. Edgar, 2015 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 19818 (D. Colo. Feb. 19, 2015);
  • Winning a defense verdict as first-chair at a jury trial representing a large national retailer against claims for slander and libel per se and malicious prosecution;
  • Winning a defense verdict as second-chair at a jury trial representing a Colorado business broker against claims for intentional interference with contract, intentional interference with prospective contract, and civil conspiracy where the plaintiff sought over $100 million in damages;
  • Winning a defense verdict on behalf of a large national retailer as second-chair at a jury trial where the plaintiff alleged that an escalator created a dangerous condition for a child; and
  • Obtaining a $1.4 million settlement on behalf of two minor plaintiffs who were sexually abused at a school for deaf and blind students.
Blog Posts About Daniel

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