Mark Buckwalter

Real Estate Attorney

Mark is the founder of Buckwalter Law Firm, PLLC.  Mark is licensed to practice in Nebraska and Montana, and his practice areas include general litigation matters, real estate law, land use law, estate planning, business law, family law, bankruptcy law, and construction law.  Mark strives to provide legal solutions for individuals and businesses in a timely and cost-effective manner.

Mark is a native of Utah, and he received his bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Utah State University.  Mark obtained his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Nebraska  College of Law in 2007, and practiced for two years in one of the largest firms in Nebraska.  Mark relocated to Kalispell to be closer to family and the blue-ribbon trout streams of Montana.

In his free time, Mark enjoys Nebraska Cornhusker football, fly-fishing, and exploring the natural wonders of the Flathead Valley.

Special Distinctions:

  • The Order of Barristers, National Honorarium for excellence and high honor through the art of courtroom advocacy
  • 2005 Nebraska State Bar Association Silver Quill Award for outstanding legal writing ability
  • 2005 McGrath North Excellence in Legal Writing Award for best performance in Legal Research and Writing section, University of Nebraska College of Law
  • CALI Excellence for the Future Award for highest grade in Legal Research and Writing Course, University of Nebraska College of Law
  • National Moot Court Team, University of Nebraska College of Law

Experience:

  • Associate-Baylor, Evnen, Curtiss, Grimit, & Witt, LLP, Lincoln, Nebraska
  • Senior Certified Law Clerk-Pierson, Fitchett, Hunzeker, Blake, & Katt
  • Law Clerk-Nebraska Attorney General’s Office

Education:

  • Juris Doctorate (with distinction), University of Nebraska College of Law
  • Bachelor of Science (Cum Laude), Political Science, Utah State University

Professional Affiliations

  • BNI-Whitefish Chapter
  • Flathead Area Young Professionals
  • Northwest Montana Bar Association
  • Montana State Bar Association
  • Nebraska State Bar Association

Chase Giacomo

Real Estate Attorney

Chase Giacomo is an Of Counsel attorney with the Buckwalter Law Firm, PLLC.  Chase received his Juris Doctorate from Harvard Law School.  Prior to attending law school, he graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point and served as a Captain in the U.S. Army.

Chase’s practice of law focuses on helping both individuals and businesses with their legal needs.  He develops customized estate plans for clients which include trusts, wills, powers of attorney and other applicable documents.  Furthermore, Chase counsels clients on planning for Medicaid eligibility, long term care, and times of incapacity and/or disability.

For business clients, Chase advises on a large variety of business matters including: business entity formation, mergers and acquisitions, contract drafting and other business dealings.  He also works with clients on residential and commercial real estate matters.  Chase enjoys partnering with clients to help them achieve their business goals.

Prior to joining the Buckwalter Law Firm, Chase was an associate attorney in the Tax, Trust & Estates practice group of Crowley Fleck, PLLP.  Chase enjoys living back in his hometown and loves the beauty of the Flathead Valley.

  Experience:

  • Adjunct Professor – Regent University School of Law
  • Associate, Tax, Trust, and Estates Practice Group – Crowley Fleck, PLLP
  • Clinical Law Student, Veterans Law and Disability Benefits Clinic – Harvard Law School
  • Legal Intern – Office of the Kalispell City Attorney
  • Legal Intern, U.S. Legal Advisor’s Office – Mission of the United States to the United Nations

Education:

  • Juris Doctorate, Harvard Law School
  • Bachelor of Science, United States Military Academy at West Point

     Professional Affiliations:

  • Northwest Montana Bar Association
  • Montana State Bar Association

Joanna Galbraith

Associate

Joanna is an associate of Buckwalter Law Firm, PLLC, and practiced in Oregon and California before relocating to Montana. Personable and professional, Joanna seeks to provide efficient, workable solutions for her clients. Her practice areas include general litigation, real estate law, land use law, and business law. A former prosecutor and advisor to non-profits, Joanna also enjoys partnering with school officials, law enforcement personnel, and members of local churches to address challenges in her community, such as juvenile crime and truancy.

Originally from the Okanagan Valley in British Columbia, Joanna loves exploring the Flathead valley’s rugged mountains, lakes, and rivers with her family, which remind her of home.

Bar Admission:

Montana
Oregon
California

Education:
Juris Doctorate, Oak Brook College of Law, California

Professional Affiliations:
Board member of Glacier Symphony & Chorale

Laura Webb

Associate

Laura is an attorney at Buckwalter Law. Her practice areas include all general litigation matters, personal injury, insurance defense, business and transactional law, real estate law, construction law, estate planning and employment law. Laura is licensed to practice in California, Montana, and Washington. She received her bachelor’s degree in English from Barnard College, Columbia University in New York City, where she graduated with honors, before returning home to San Francisco to complete her Juris Doctorate degree from Golden Gate University, graduating with distinction. Laura practiced in San Francisco and Sacramento at larger litigation firms for five years before she and her husband, also an attorney, moved to the Flathead to be closer to family in 2017.

Laura spends her free time outdoors with her husband and two dogs, taking advantage of all that the Flathead has to offer.

Special Distinctions:

· President, Northwest Bar Association, 2021-2022

· ABOTA Trial College, Reno, Nevada

· Law Clerk, Chief Magistrate Hon. Maria-Elena James, United States District Court, Northern District of California

· National Moot Court Team, Golden Gate University

· Moot Court Board, First Place Winner of Appellate Advocacy competition, Golden Gate University

· Moot Court Board Panelist, Golden Gate University

· WITKIN Awards for Academic Excellence (highest grade): Special Problems in Contracts and Torts, Family Law, Family Law Practice, Golden Gate University

· CALI Excellence for the Future Award (highest grade): Practical Legal Writing, Legal Writing and Research, Golden Gate University

Education:

· Bachelor of Arts (Cum Laude), English, Barnard College, Columbia University

· Juris Doctorate (With Distinction), Golden Gate University

Bar Admission:

· Montana

· California

· Washington

Professional Affiliations

· Northwest Montana Bar Association

· Montana State Bar Association

· California State Bar Association

· Association of Defense Counsel, Sacramento County

· Sacramento County Trial Lawyers Association

· San Francisco County Trial Lawyers Association

· American Bar Association

Taylor Ozegovich

Office Manager

Taylor is a 7th generation Montanan who grew up in the Flathead and is a graduate of Flathead High School. After high school, Taylor graduated from the Salon Professional Academy in Great Falls, Montana with honors and at the top of her class. Taylor moved back to the Flathead and rented a booth with Soucie Soucie Salon and Med Spa where she provided a broad range of cosmetology services. She then decided to take her exceptional customer service and business management skills and pursue a career in the legal field. As the Ofice Manager, Taylor ensures that our office runs smoothly and that clients experience a high-level of customer satisfaction.

In her free time, Taylor enjoys spending time with her husband and energetic son, snowboarding, travelling, camping, and relaxing at the family cabin on Swan Lake.