Catherine A. Freeman

Member

Catherine Freeman represents businesses, public entities, and professionals in complex business litigation, employment, professional liability, and insurance defense cases.

Born and raised in Idaho, Ms. Freeman recently moved to Montana after practicing law in Idaho for the last decade. Before joining Hall & Evans, she focused on civil insurance defense at a small firm in Boise, Idaho. Prior to that, she worked as in house counsel for Ada County in the Civil Division of the Ada County Prosecutor’s Office in Boise, Idaho where she represented elected officials and their employees in employment, professional liability, tort, appeals, and other cases.

In 2022, Ms. Freeman received a Service Award from the Idaho State Bar and was named Accomplished Under 40 by the Idaho Business Review. The Idaho State Bar also named her Outstanding Young Lawyer in 2018. She is an active member of several professional organizations.

Practice Areas

Bar Admissions

  • Idaho, 2013
  • Montana, 2023
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of Idaho
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, District of Idaho
  • U.S. District Court, District of Montana
  • U.S. Supreme Court

Location

Missoula Office
125 Bank Street
Suite 403
Missoula, MT 59802

Education

JD: University of Idaho College of Law, 2013
BA: University of Idaho, 2009, English

Contact

freemanc@hallevans.com

More About
Catherine

Resume

Linkedin

Professional Associations
  • Idaho State Bar Professionalism & Ethics Section, 2013-present; Former Secretary, 2020-2022; Former Section Chair, 2022-2023; Former Anti-Discrimination Anti-Harassment Committee Chair, 2020-2023
  • Idaho Association of Defense Counsel, 2021-present
  • Idaho Women Lawyers, Former Gala Co-Chair, 2018-present
  • Defense Research Institute, 2021-present
  • American Inn of Court No. 130, Former Barrister & Team Captain, 2020-2023
  • Idaho Fourth District Bar Association’s Law Day, Former Chair, 2012-2018
  • Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, 2013-2021
Career Distinctions & Honors
  • Service Award, Idaho State Bar, 2022
  • Accomplished Under 40, Idaho Business Review, 2022
  • Outstanding Young Lawyer, Idaho State Bar, 2018
Other Activities
  • Outside of work, Catie can be found playing tennis, golfing, skiing, reading, or enjoying a true crime podcast.
Articles & Publications // Presentations // Webinars
  • ​Co-Presenter, “Free Speech Issues for Local Governments,” Idaho Prosecuting Attorneys Association, 2020
  • Presenter, “A Guide to Social Media for the Public Employer,” American Association of Airport Executives-Northwest Chapter, 2018
  • Panelist, “Lawyering Skills,” Idaho State Bar Association New Attorney Program, 2014-2021
  • Panelist, “Warranties, Insurance and Indemnification,” Idaho Public Purchasing Association, 2019
Business & Community Service
  • Idaho State Bar Grading Volunteer, 2018-present

  • University of Idaho Alumni Association, Former President, 2016-2022

  • University of Idaho School of Law Ethics Orientation Mentor, 2017-2019

Professional Experience
  • Associate Attorney, Gjording Fouser, PLLC, Boise, ID, 2021-2023
  • Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, Ada County Prosecutor’s Office, Boise, ID, 2013-2021
Blog Posts About Catherine

Nadia H. Patrick

Member

Nadia Patrick is a trial lawyer with experience in litigating complex cases at the state and federal levels. She focuses her practice on civil litigation with an emphasis in catastrophic casualty, transportation law (including trucking and railroad defense), employment law, and toxic tort defense. Her unique experience allows her to help employers navigate workplace accidents, regulatory inspections, personal liability investigations, and crisis management and prevention. Nadia represents Fortune 500 companies in the transportation and medical sectors, and has significant experience representing insurance clients in high-value personal injury cases.

Nadia began her career litigating cases on behalf of the U.S. Department of Labor and was able to hone her skills as a litigator by trying numerous cases on behalf of the Secretary of Labor. She went on to work for the Colorado Office of the Attorney General, where she represented the Marijuana Enforcement Division (MED) and assisted with drafting some of the first retail marijuana regulations in the nation.

Practice Areas

Bar Admissions

  • Colorado, 2011
  • Montana, 2016
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, District of Colorado
  • U.S. District Court, District of Montana
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas

Location

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

Education

JD: Texas A&M School of Law, 2010
BS: Towson University, 2005, English

Contact

patrickn@hallevans.com

More About
Nadia

Resume

Linkedin

Career Distinctions & Honors
  • The Best Lawyers in America®, Transportation Law, 2025
  • Colorado Super Lawyers®, “Rising Star,” Transportation/Maritime, 2019
Professional Associations
  • Colorado Bar Association
  • Denver Bar Association
  • National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel
  • Rhone Brackett Inn of Court
Languages
  • Urdu
Articles & Publications // Presentations // Webinars

  • Presenter, “Flipping Favor: How to Turn Plaintiff’s Physicians Into Your Experts,” Association of Defense Trial Attorneys, 2021

  • Presenter, “Finding False Claims – An Introduction to Qui Tam Litigation,” National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel, 2019

  • Presenter, “Blurry Vision: How Rheumatological Conditions Can Present as Interstitial Fibrosis in Occupational Claims,” Association of Defense Trial Attorneys, 2019

  • Co-Author, “Red Light/Green Light: Ethics in the Age of ‘Legal’ Marijuana,” Hall & Evans, LLC, 2015

  • Presenter, “Where the Reefer Meets the Road: A Practical Approach to Pot Regulations,” Rhone Brackett Inn of Court, 2015

  • Presenter, “Implications of Unwarrantables in MSHA’s Pattern of Violations,” U.S. Department of Labor, Office of the Solicitor, 2013

  • Presenter, “Navigating the D-Chain,” U.S. Department of Labor, Office of the Solicitor, 2012

  • Presenter, “MSHA Safeguards: A Primer,” U.S. Department of Labor, Office of the Solicitor and Mine Safety Health Administration, 2011

Ronald E. Neroda

Member

Ronald Neroda’s practice focuses on the defense of civil cases involving medical malpractice, nursing homes, long-term care and rehabilitation facilities, correctional healthcare providers, asbestos and toxic torts, civil rights claims, premises liability, and employment practices.

Mr. Neroda has extensive experience representing and advising medical providers, hospitals, dentists, and nursing home and in-home care providers in complex malpractice matters. He also frequently works with clients in the retail and restaurant industries on premises liability and dram shop actions. He also represents various industries in cases that involve toxic exposure.

Mr. Neroda has successfully defended clients through all phases of litigation including trial, pretrial, mediation and arbitration. In addition to his litigation practice, he also regularly advises clients on employment practices and policies and procedures to reduce company risk.

Practice Areas

Bar Admissions

  • Illinois, 2008
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court, Central District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Illinois
  • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Indiana
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin

Location

Chicago Office
121 West Wacker Drive
Suite 2150
Chicago, IL 60601

Education

JD: John Marshall Law School, 2008, cum laude

BS: Indiana University, 2005, Business Finance

Contact

nerodar@hallevans.com

More About
Ronald

Resume

Linkedin

Professional Associations
  • American Bar Association
  • Chicago Bar Association
  • Illinois State Bar Association
Business & Community Service
  • Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Chicago
  • PAWS Chicago

Jordan Brickman

Associate

Jordan Brickman centers her practice on civil litigation and insurance defense. Ms. Brickman also defends employers facing claims of employment discrimination and retaliation litigation as well as issues concerning compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act and Colorado wage and hour requirements.

Prior to joining Hall & Evans, Ms. Brickman practiced employment law and family law at small Denver firms. While attending the University of Oklahoma College of Law, Ms. Brickman was a member of the Dean’s Leadership Council and a licensed legal intern with the OU Legal Clinic, where she received the award for Distinguished Clinic Intern.

Practice Areas

Bar Admissions

  • Colorado, 2018
  • U.S. District Court, District of Colorado

Location

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

Education

JD: University of Oklahoma College of Law, 2018
BA: University of Oklahoma, 2015, Human Relations

Contact

brickmanj@hallevans.com

More About
Jordan

Resume

Linkedin

Fred Simpson

Counsel

Fred Simpson has over 25 years of civil litigation experience representing individuals, businesses, and insurers. His practice includes general tort defense, defense of professional negligence claims, defense of disciplinary complaints against attorneys and real estate professionals, insurance coverage, insurance defense, defense of unfair trade practices claims, construction disputes, and real property/commercial litigation.

Mr. Simpson has tried multiple jury and bench trials in both state and federal court on a wide range of matters, including personal injury, fair debt collection practice act violations, insurance bad faith, property damage, employment/wage and hour claims, and easement disputes. He has also successfully briefed and argued multiple appeals before the U.S. Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and the Montana Supreme Court. Additionally, Mr. Simpson conducts dispute resolution as a mediator.

Practice Areas

Bar Admissions

  • Montana, 1995
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court, District of Montana
  • Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Court

Location

Missoula Office
125 Bank Street
Suite 403
Missoula, MT 59802

Education

JD: University of Montana School of Law, 1995
BA: University of Idaho, 1990, Political Science

Contact

simpsonf@hallevans.com

More About
Fred

Resume

Professional Associations
  • ​State Bar of Montana
Professional Experience
  • Prior to joining Hall & Evans, Mr. Simpson was a partner at Jenks & Simpson, P.C.
Career Distinctions & Honors
  • ​Martindale-Hubbell®, AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated
Business & Community Service
  • Mr. Simpson has previously served on the board of Missoula Housing Authority and the Missoula Food Bank.
Decisions
  • Glacier Bear Retreat, LLC v. Dusek, 2024 U.S. App. LEXIS 16974 (9th Cir. 2024)
  • McAtee v. Morrison & Frampton, PLLP, 405 Mont. 269 (Mont. 2021)
  • Rochdale Insurance Co. v. Dixon, 849 Fed.Appx. 697 (9th Cir. 2021)
  • Western Heritage Ins. Co. v. Slopeside Condominium Association, Inc., 2019 WL 1060704 (D. Mont. 2019)
  • Progressive Northwestern Ins. Co. v. Jensen, 2017 WL 728202 (D. Mont. 2017)
  • WBI Energy Transmission, Inc. v. Colony Ins. Co., 56 F.Supp.3d 1194 (D. Mont. 2014)
  • Salminen v. Morrison & Frampton, PLLP, 339 P.3d 602 (Mont. 2014)
  • Brilz v. Metropolitan General Ins. Co., 285 P.3d 494 (Mont. 2012)
  • Leys v. Employers Ins. Co. of Wausau, 2011 WL 1239726 (D. Mont. 2011)
  • McCollough v. Johnson, Rodenburg & Lauinger, LLC, 637 F.3d 939 (9th Cir. 2011)
  • Moe v. System Transport, Inc., 2010 WL 4643336 (D. Mont. 2010)
  • Travelers Property Casualty Co. of America v. Liberty Mutual Insurance Co., 2010 WL 5387491 (D. Mont. 2010)
  • Neal v. Nelson, 198 P.3d 819 (Mont. 2008)
  • Brilz v. Metlife Auto & Home, 251 Fed.Appx. 458 (9th Cir. 2007)
  • Redies v. Attorneys Liability Protection Society, 150 P.3d 930 (Mont. 2007)
  • Smith v. Salish Kootenai College, 434 F.3d 1127 (9th Cir. 2006)
  • Superior Enterprises, LLC v. Montana Power Co., 49 P.3d 565 (Mont. 2002)
  • Farmers Plant Aid, Inc. v. Fedder, 999 P.2d 315 (Mont. 2000)
  • Ratchye v. Lucas, 957 P.2d 1128 (Mont. 1998)

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