Stanley James Cassavant

Member

Stanley Cassavant’s trial practice focuses on premises liability, hospitality and retail, trucking, dog bite, and insurance defense. Stan has a background in the insurance industry, served as a prosecutor, and has tried over thirty cases before New Mexico juries. Through his experience, he brings a thoughtful, firsthand perspective to all his clients and has reached hundreds of favorable resolutions.

He served as an Assistant District Attorney in the Metropolitan Division and later with the Community Crimes Division in New Mexico’s Second Judicial District Attorney’s Office. As a prosecutor, Stan focused on crimes that affected citizens and businesses such as drunk driving, white-collar crime, embezzlement, public assistance fraud, identity theft, and violent crimes.

Prior to joining Hall & Evans, Stan served as in-house counsel for multiple national insurance carriers where he defended clients in civil tort actions. Stan is committed to providing strategic approaches and positive outcomes for his clients.

Practice Areas

Bar Admissions

  • New Mexico, 2016
  • U.S. District Court, District of New Mexico

Location

Santa Fe Office
125 Lincoln Avenue
Suite 225
Santa Fe, NM 87501

Education

JD: Arizona Summit Law School, 2014
BS: Arizona State University, 2011, Political Science

Contact

cassavants@hallevans.com

More About
Stanley

Resume

Linkedin

Professional Associations
  • State Bar of New Mexico
Other Activities
  • In his spare time, Stan enjoys spending time with his dog Penny, doing renovation projects at his house, fishing, and exploring historical sites across New Mexico and the Southwest.
Business & Community Service
  • Volunteer Attorney, New Mexico COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Response Act (PHERA)

Zachary D. Wagner

Member

Zachary Wagner’s diverse practice is focused primarily on complex civil litigation involving real estate disputes, contract disputes, premises liability, hospitality & retail, wrongful death, and products liability matters. A large portion of his practice involves counseling individuals, public entities, and private businesses in employment law and constitutional law matters through litigation, appeals, and administrative proceedings. Mr. Wagner is an experienced litigator and has successfully tried many cases to verdict in both state and federal court across Colorado.

Practice Areas

Bar Admissions

  • Colorado, 2011
  • U.S. District Court, District of Colorado

Location

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

Education

JD: University of Colorado Law School, 2011
BA: University of Arkansas, 2007, History, summa cum laude

Contact

wagnerz@hallevans.com

More About
Zachary

Resume

Linkedin

Business & Community Service
  • Big, Big Brothers Big Sisters, 2015-present

Emma K. Knight

Senior Associate

Emma Knight’s practice focuses on insurance defense and civil litigation.  Ms. Knight is experienced with all phases of litigation related to motor vehicle accidents, premises liability actions, construction defect claims, and dram shop actions.  In the insurance arena, she frequently defends carriers facing claims of UM/UIM breach of contract, common law bad faith, and statutory bad faith.  Ms. Knight is also experienced in the energy and natural resources industry, having counseled individuals and businesses on issues related to surface and mineral rights and oil and gas estates.

While attending the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, Ms. Knight was a Staff Editor for the Transportation Law Journal and Service Coordinator for the National Renewable Energy Law Society.  In addition to a Juris Doctorate degree, Ms. Knight earned a Master of Resources Law Studies specializing in Sustainable Development and Renewable Energy Law and Policy and Environmental Law and Policy.

Practice Areas

Bar Admissions

  • Colorado, 2016
  • North Dakota (inactive), 2019
  • U.S. District Court, District of Colorado

Location

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

Education

JD: University of Denver Sturm College of Law, 2014
MRLS: University of Denver Sturm College of Law, Resources Law Studies, 2011
BS: University of Wisconsin, 2009, Spanish Language and Literature
Certificate: European Studies, University of Wisconsin, 2009

Contact

knighte@hallevans.com

More About
Emma

Resume

Linkedin

Career Distinctions & Honors
  • Staff Editor, University of Denver Sturm College of Law’s Transportation Law Journal, 2013-2014
Professional Associations
  • Arapahoe County Bar Association
Business & Community Service
  • Volunteer, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 2011-2021
Blog Posts About Emma

Jill M. Gerdrum

Member

Jill Gerdrum is a civil litigator with a practice focused on product liability, transportation, premises liability, insurance defense, professional liability, and employment law.  Jill’s product liability experience includes claims related to farm equipment, RV component parts, engine components, loading dock equipment, lawn mowers, medical supplies, livestock feed, and underground fuel tanks.  In the transportation and premises liability arenas, she represents trucking companies, insurers, and national retailers in matters involving serious personal injuries and fatalities.

Jill is often called upon for early accident scene investigations and serves as an independent investigator for entities facing potential claims. She has successfully defended companies and individuals at the administrative level, and at the trial and appellate levels throughout state and federal courts in Montana.

Practice Areas

Bar Admissions

  • Montana, 2006
  • Idaho, 2022
  • Wyoming, 2022
  • U.S. District Court, District of Colorado
  • U.S. District Court, District of Idaho
  • U.S. District Court, District of Montana
  • U.S. District Court, District of Wyoming
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit
  • U.S. Supreme Court

Location

Missoula Office
125 Bank Street
Suite 403
Missoula, MT 59802

Education

JD: University of Montana, 2006, High Honors
BA: University of Montana, 1997, Political Science

Contact

gerdrumj@hallevans.com

More About
Jill

Resume

Linkedin

Career Distinctions & Honors
  • Chambers USA, Labor & Employment, 2019-2023
  • Martindale-Hubbell®, AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated
  • The Best Lawyers in America®; Product Liability Litigation – Defendants, 2020-2025; Commercial Litigation, 2020-2025; Civil Rights Law, 2024-2025; Employment Law – Management, 2024-2025; Personal Injury Litigation –Defendants, 2024-2025; Transportation Law, 2024-2025
  • Mountain States Super Lawyers®, Civil Litigation: Defense, 2017-2024
  • Mountain States Super Lawyers ®, Top 50 Women, 2022-2024
  • Mountain States Super Lawyers ®, Top 100 Lawyers, 2023
  • Mountain States Super Lawyers®, “Rising Star,” Civil Litigation: Defense, 2014-2016
  • Montana Judicial Standards Commission, appointed by Montana Supreme Court, 2017-present
Professional Experience
  • Partner, Axilon Law Group, PLLC, Missoula, Montana, 2006-2021
  • Clinic Law Clerk, U.S. Magistrate Judge Leif Erickson, Summer 2005
  • Deputy Commissioner of Insurance & Securities, Montana State Auditor, Helena, Montana, 2001-2003
Decisions
  • Barstads v. Albert Burney, Inc., et. al, DV-16-68; DV-16-69;DV-17-12, Montana’s Third Judicial District, Powell County, (order of dismissal and to compel arbitration on behalf of defendant Riverbend Realty)
  • Hathaway v. Zoot Enterprises, Inc., DV-19-809B, Montana Eighteen Judicial District Court (summary judgment and denial of motion for leave to amend for defendant)
  • Janik v. Town of Whitehall et. al., DV-18-01, Montana’s Fifth Judicial District Court, Jefferson County (summary judgment for Town clerk)
  • Outland v. Montana Department of Corrections, HRB Case No. 956-2018, (decision for Outland at hearing and on appeal to HRC)
  • Adami v. Nelson, DR-16-199, Montana’s Fourth Judicial District Court, Missoula County (bench trial decision for Adami)
  • Chyatte v. Missoula County, et al., CV-13-174-M-DWM-JCL, U.S. District Court for the District of Montana, Missoula Division; Case No. 16-35046, Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals (defense verdict on behalf of Missoula County)
  • Scotten v. Dept. of Veteran’s Affairs, DE-1221-16-0087-W-1, United States Merit System Protection Board (decision for Scotten on whistleblower protection claim)
  • Frank v. Town of West Yellowstone, CV-15-25-BU-SEH, U.S. District Court for the District of Montana, Butte Division; Case No. 16-35218, Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals (on behalf of Town of West Yellowstone) (summary judgment for Town and order of dismissal for Individual defendants)
  • Orr v. Anaconda Deer Lodge County, CV-14-BU-SEH, U.S. District Court for the District of Montana, Butte Division; Case No. 15-35612, Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals (summary judgment on behalf of Anaconda Deer Lodge County)
Appeals
  • Hathaway v. Zoot Enters., 2021 MT 292, 406 Mont. 239, 2021 Mont. LEXIS 905, 2021 WL 5194919
  • Ramsbacher v. Jim Palmer Trucking, 2018 MT 118, 391 Mont. 298, 417 P.3d 313
  • Adami v. Nelson, 2019 MT 286, 398 Mont. 72, 454 P.3d 642
  • S. Mont. Tel. Co. v. Mont. PSC, Dep’t of Pub. Serv. Regulation, 2017 MT 123
  • TC Fuel Components, LLC v. Mont. Eleventh Judicial Dist. Court, 374 Mont. 540, 346 P.3d 363 (2014)
  • Johnson v. W. Transp., LLC, 2011 MT 13, 359 Mont. 145, 247 P.3d 1094
  • Hilten v. Bragg, 2010 MT 273, 358 Mont. 407, 248 P.3d 282
Professional Associations
  • Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel, 2015-present
  • Transportation Lawyers Association, 2020-present
  • Trucking Industry Defense Association 2021-present
Articles & Publications // Presentations // Webinars
  • Co-Author, “Danger! Danger! Will Robinson:  Are My Warnings Enough? Impact of the “heeding presumption” of on warnings labels and situations in which post-sale warnings may arise,” ALFA International Products Liability & Complex Torts Seminar, 2022
  • Co-Author and Presenter, “Employment Law Update – Return to Work, COVID-19 Issues, & Changes to Montana Law,” Jim Tillotson Service Program for Montana City Attorneys, 2021
  • Co-Author and Presenter, “Navigating the City/Client Landscape under Rule of Prof. Conduct 1.13,” MMIA Defense Counsel Summit, 2020
  • Author and Presenter, “Record Retention, Litigation Holds, and Electronic Discovery: How Employers Can Navigate Rough Waters,” Seminar Group Employment Law Institute, 2020
  • Co-Author and Presenter, “It’s How We Play the Game, Ethical Considerations in Litigation,” ALFA International Client Seminar, 2019
  • Co-Author and Presenter, “Culture is the New Black, The Value of Company Culture and It’s Impact on Litigation,” ALFA International Client Seminar, 2018
  • Author, “The United States Supreme Court’s Recent Personal Jurisdiction Decisions: Federalism and Restriction on Forum Shopping, or a “Parade of Horribles”?,” FDCC Insights, September 2017
  • Author and Presenter, “Workplace Whistleblowers: The Tension Amongst Fairness, Loyalty, & The Motivating Factors of Whistleblowing,” The Seminar Group Employment Law Institute, 2017
  • Author and Presenter, “Representing Your Client in Federal Court, National Business Institute Seminar,” 2015
  • Co-Author, “Transportation Mini Compendium – Montana,” American Trucking Association, 2013
  • Co-Author and Presenter, “When the Party is Over: What do Former Employees and Their Former Employers Owe Each Other,” The Seminar Group, 2012
  • Author and Presenter, “Employment Discrimination Law Issues,” Sterling Education Seminar, Missoula, 2011
  • Co-Author, “Transportation Law Compendium – Montana;” “Insurance Law Compendium – Montana;”“Labor & Employment Law Compendium – Montana,” ALFA International, 2012-2021
  • Co-Author, “Commercial Transportation Litigation Committee’s Guide to Montana’s Complex Law Regarding Joint and Several Liability and Contributory Negligence,” ABA’s Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section, 2009
Business & Community Service
  • Montana Legal Services Association, Volunteer, 2020-present
  • Missoula Childcare Resources, Member/Vice-Chair, Board of Directors, 2008-2011
  • Myrna Loy Center-Helena, Member, Board of Directors, 2001-2003
Other Activities
  • Outside of work, Jill can be found running, backpacking, and shuttling her daughters around to all kinds of activities.  She also continues to be involved in her family’s cattle ranch in Grass Range, Montana.
Blog Posts About Jill

Heather A. Thomas

Member

Heather Thomas is an experienced trial attorney focused on achieving her clients’ goals and objectives for litigation whether it be trying a case to verdict or reaching an early and efficient resolution. Heather began her career working for her father’s construction supply company and now, she represents and defends builders, contractors and design professionals in various construction disputes and litigation.

Heather also worked as field counsel for a Fortune 500 Global Insurance Company where she was one of two attorneys in the Denver office approved to handle and defend clients against high exposure, million-dollar claims, including products liability and catastrophic personal injury claims. As field counsel, Heather appeared on behalf of her clients in courtrooms throughout the State of Colorado, including the U. S. District Court for the District of Colorado. In 2018, Heather served as first chair in a ski collision case in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado where the jury determined the plaintiff was 49% at fault for her alleged injuries and damages.

Upon moving to Hall & Evans, Heather’s practice now includes representation of homeowner associations in various commercial disputes. Regardless of the type of case, Heather’s experience now allows her to evaluate and develop strategies early in the representation of her clients to determine how best to garner the most leverage and resolve the case in a manner most optimal for her clients. Early evaluation and case management help Heather to steer her cases to the best possible outcome for the client, whether it be litigation, mediation or settlement.

Heather communicates with her clients often during any case to ensure she understands their concerns and goals, and that they are keenly aware of the status of the matter throughout the litigation. Heather also evaluates the claims against her clients to assist with developing the evidence in a way most helpful in obtaining leverage in any given case whether it be via testimony or motions practice to gain a tactical advantage whether it be for trial or settlement. Heather is a Martindale Hubbell AV Preeminent® rated attorney who welcomes new challenges and clients to her practice.

Location

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

Education

JD: University of Denver Sturm College of Law, 2001

LLM: University of Denver Sturm College of Law, 2009, Environmental & Natural Resources Law & Policy

BS: Colorado State University, 1995, Natural Resources Management, Minor in Economics

Contact

thomash@hallevans.com

More About
Heather

Resume

Linkedin

Career Distinctions & Honors
  • Martindale-Hubbell®, AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated
Decisions
  • Patricia Klug v. E.B., a minor, 1:14-cv-03185-WYD (D. Colo. 2018)
Appeals
  • Munger v. Farmers Insurance Exchange, 174 P.3d 563 (Colo. App. 2007)
Professional Associations
  • Claims & Litigation Management Alliance
  • Colorado Defense Lawyers Association
  • National Ski Patrol
  • Home Builders Foundation, Board Member, 2013-2020
  • Home Builders Association, Government Affairs Committee, 2013-2016
  • Metro Housing Coalition, Board Member, 2013-2016
Articles & Publications // Presentations // Webinars
  • Speaker, “A Perfect Marriage: Resiliency and Insurability,” Claims and Litigation Management Alliance (CLM) Construction Conference, June 2020
Blog Posts About Heather

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