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Michael B. Grayson
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Michael B. Grayson
Grayson Law Firm
112 East Commercial Ave.
P.O. Box 907
Anaconda, MT 59711
Phone: (406) 563-3195 | Fax: (406) 563-3493
http://www.graysonlawfirm.com/
Engaged in the General Practice of Law in SW Montana
Legal Topic
Personal Injury
Preferred New Clients
Clients who need help and value honesty, integrity, good service, and experience.
Sub-Categories
Personal Injury
- Dangerous Property
- Wrongful Death
- Personal Injury - Defense
- Personal Injury Mediation/Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Truck Accidents
- Construction Site Injuries
- Slip & Fall
- Sports Injuries
- Petrochemical Accidents
- Whiplash
- Felony Auto Accident
- Defamation
- Invasion of Privacy
- Libel
- Slander
- Design Defects
- Manufacturing Defects
- False Charities
- Frauds, Scams, Hoaxes
- Identity Theft
- Pyramid Schemes
- Telemarketing
- Assault & Battery
- Child abuse
- Dog Bites & Animal Attacks
- Domestic Violence
- Police Misconduct
- Sexual Assault
- Airplanes
- Buildings
- Mass Transit - Bus, Train, Subway
- Ships & Boats
- Financial Malpractice
- Amputation
- Birth Injury
- Burn Injury
- Head/Brain Injury
- Paralysis
Legal Topic
Criminal Defense
Preferred New Clients
Clients who need help and value honesty, integrity, good service, and experience.
Sub-Categories
Criminal Defense
- Aiding, Abetting, Accessory, Conspiracy
- Appeals
- Capital Crimes/Capital Cases
- Environmental Violations
- Felonies
- Juvenile Crimes
- False Identification
- Truancy
- Misdemeanors
- Parole
- Probation
- Perjury
- Plea Negotiation
- Search & Seizure
- Victims' Rights
- Animal Abuse
- Child Abuse
- Domestic Violence
- Elder Abuse
- DUI
- Felony Auto Accidents
- Parking Tickets & Towing
- Traffic - Moving Violations
- Open Container
- Driving with a Suspended License
- Driving without a License
- DWI
- Drug Cultivation & Manufacturing
- Drug Possession
- Intent to Distribute Drugs
- Intent to Sell Drugs
- Medical Marijuana
- Constitutional Rights Defense
- Illegal Possession or Transportation
- Other Weapons & Devices
- Bank Fraud
- Checks & Credit Cards
- Corporate Espionage & Sabotage
- Embezzlement
- Extortion
- Forgery
- Identity Theft
- Insider Trading
- Insurance Claims
- Money Laundering
- Public Offerings
- Racketeering & RICO
- Securities Fraud
- Smuggling
- Tax Evasion & Fraud
- Trade Secrets
- Wire Transfer
- Arson
- Burglary
- Embezzlement
- Larceny
- Shoplifting
- Theft
- Trespass
- Vandalism
- Stalking
- Assault & Battery
- Domestic Violence
- Extortion
- Kidnapping
- Manslaughter
- Murder
- Robbery
Bar Admissions
MT, Oct 1986
Bar Number: 2745
Other Court Admissions
Montana Supreme Court, Montana Federal District Court.
Association Memberships
Montana Bar, Third Judicial District Court Bar.
Continuing Education
I have taught and attended continuing legal education seminars on various topics such as insurance law, litigation, criminal law, and personal injury.
Example Cases
1. Lady in car accident. Several weeks in hospital. Insurance company offered to pay only $17k prior to us taking case. After working case up fully, we obtained an $85k settlement for our client.
2. Man accused of felony assault. We took over case and were able to show he was present, but did not inflict any injury. Charges were dismissed by prosecutor.
Education
Degree:
Juris Doctor
School:
George Washington University Law School
City:
Washington
State:
DC
Year:
1986
Focus and Accomplishments:
Co-Editor, Environmental Law Newsletter, Law Students in Court, Internships with NRDC and The Wilderness Society.
Degree:
Bachelor of Arts
School:
Bowling Green State University
City:
Bowling Green
State:
OH
Year:
1982
Honors:
University President's Awards for Outstanding Achievement, 1982
Focus and Accomplishments:
Major in Political Science, Minors in Philosophy and Computer Science.
Number of Attorneys
1
State Licensed In
Montana
Firm Focus and History
We have narrowed the focus of our firm to those cases which we are best at handling. We specialize in personal injury cases, including serious injury or death cases. We also have considerable expertise in criminal defense and real estate, zoning, and land use cases. By focusing on only these practice areas, we can more easily keep up our expertise, and better serve our clients.
I have run my own law firm since 2006. The firm was formerly the Dayton Law Firm, and was purchased from Ray Dayton after he was elected to serve as the District Judge for the Third Judicial District Court in Montana. Before that, I was a partner in the Dayton Law Firm, a principle in Grayson & Petrovich Staedler, and served as both the local prosecutor and a public defender at various times in my legal career.
Previous Employment Summary
After working in business management for two and a half years following admission to the bar in 1986, I was chosen to serve as the Deputy County Attorney in Deer Lodge County in 1989. After almost four years, I went into private practice with Sherry Staedler in 1993, and also served as a part-time public defender for four years. In 1996, I was elected to serve as the County Attorney for Anaconda-Deer lodge County consolidated government. I was re-elected in 2000, and spear-headed the passage of a bond levy and the construction of a new jail facility to replace Anaconda's 100 year-old jail. In 2005, I returned to private practice, this time with Ray Dayton. After two years, Ray was elected District Judge, and I purchased the law firm.
Activities and Awards
Elected to the Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Local Government Review Committee, 1994-96. Also served on the Board of the Montana County Attorney's Association. Past President of the Montana Wilderness Association.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
I always appreciate clients who take the time to educate themselves on their legal issues. I find this makes it easier to get clients a good result, since they have a better understanding of what is happening in their case. They can also more fully appreciate the results I obtain for them.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
In general, I am willing to review some documents for clients. However, this depends on the overall circumstances, and whether I truly have the detailed knowledge and facts of the client's case to be able to ethically advise him or her.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
In certain limited circumstances, I have coached clients to help them resolve their legal issue without my direct involvement. This is very much a case by case decision, since there are certainly cases where clients simply must bite the bullet and actually hire a lawyer to represent them. However, I am fairly well-known to honestly help people evaluate the efficacy of hiring a lawyer in their case. I freely tell people if I feel their particular situation does not merit spending the money to hire an attorney. In those cases, I explain to them how to handle the matter themselves.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
I grew up watching TV shows like Perry Mason, where the lawyer was a hero to their client. I liked the idea of being able to help people achieve their goals, and helping them negotiate through the legal maze in which we live.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
I have a broad range of experience in my life. When I was in college, I washed dishes and waited tables. I have managed a business with over 100 employees, I have served as a public defender and the elected county attorney in my county. I have worked with people in the legal system for over twenty years, and have extensive jury trial experience. I now run my own law firm and strive to serve my clients with expertise, integrity, and hard work.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
My primary areas of practice are the areas where I can bring my experience and skills to bear most effectively to help my clients. I can see the case from both my client's perspective, and still be aware of what issues the other side is looking at. I enjoy focusing my practice on these areas because it gives me great satisfaction to be able to successfully help my clients achieve their goals for the case.
What do you like best about your career?
Being able to satisfy my clients' legal needs, while earning a good living for my family.
Tell us about your law firm:
Shaunna is my paralegal, and she helps me immensely by organizing information in the files, and assisting me in staying on top of our clients' needs. Norma is my receptionist, keeps the calendar, and also juggles our phone lines to keep things moving efficiently.
What are your strengths and style?
My strengths include listening to my clients to find out what their goals are for their case. Then I do my best to help them achieve their goals, while also honestly keeping the client informed of the case's progress as we go along. I want my clients to be fully informed, and to understand the exact steps that their case will go through.
Personal Interests:
I am active with my sons in Boy Scouts, and the various sports in which they participate. My wife and I enjoy the outdoors, hiking, and camping. I am an avid baseball fan, and I also read and browse the web a lot.
Office Manager/Assistant
Shaunna Ogolin
Fax
(406) 563-3493
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Emergency After Hours
Yes
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
We handle most personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis: there is no fee if we don't obtain a settlement or verdict for you. We will set flat fees for many other types of cases, such as minor criminal matters and DUIs. The exact fees depend on the complexity and estimated time to be spent on each case.
Hourly Rates
See above.
Free Initial Consultation?
We offer free initial consultations of up to one hour on almost all types of cases that we handle. We will conduct these consultations either in person in our office, or over the telephone if the client prefers.
Typical Retainer
No. We only charge retainers on certain serious criminal defense cases, or very complex real estate or zoning situations. In those cases where we do charge a retainer, the amount varies depending on the complexity of the case.
Nolo's Licensing Check
Attorneys have passed a licensing check. Nolo has confirmed that every member attorney has a valid license and is in good standing with the applicable bar associations upon joining the directory.
Directory lawyers are required to notify Nolo immediately if they become the subject of any disciplinary action by any bar association.
