Attorney
Phone: 406-541-4940
Dave is a sole practitioner at Geiszler Steele, PC. Dave serves as general counsel to a wide variety of individuals and businesses across a broad spectrum of civil legal areas. Dave has earned a Martindale-Hubbell “AV-Preeminent” rating by his peers, indicting the highest level of professional excellence. His practice includes advising clients about business and commercial matters, real estate and real property transactions, contract issues, and other civil matters. Dave also regularly serves as a mediator, arbitrator and settlement master. Dave is admitted to practice in all Montana State Courts and all United States District Courts in Montana. He is a member of the State Bar of Montana, the Western Montana Bar Association, and the American Bar Association. Dave is a Past President of the State Bar of Montana, and a Life Fellow of the American Bar Foundation. He is a Past President of the Western Montana Bar Association and also served for many years as Justice of the Peace Pro Tem for Missoula County, Montana. He currently serves as Chair of the Fee Arbitration Committee for the State Bar of Montana.
Dave was born and raised in Colorado. He received his B.A. in Political Science from Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado. He earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Montana School of Law. While attending law school in Missoula, Dave worked as a prosecutor for the Missoula City Attorney's office, and clerked for the Honorable Robert H. Whaley, U.S. District Court Judge, Eastern District of Washington, and for the Honorable Jeremiah C. Lynch, U.S. Magistrate Judge, District of Montana, as a clinical intern.
Prior to his legal career, Dave was a professional mountain and river guide, worked as a mountaineering and climbing instructor and ski patroller in Colorado, Utah and California, and as program manager for the Colorado Outward Bound School's international sea kayaking program in Baja California and Sur, Mexico. Dave greatly enjoys spending time outdoors with his friends and family.
Areas of Practice
- General Business Counsel
- Business and Commercial Transactions
- Property and Real Estate Transactions
- Contracts
- Mediation and Arbitration
Bar Admissions Montana, 2008
- State Bar of Montana
- U.S. District Court District of Montana
Education
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University of Montana School of Law, Missoula, Montana
- Juris Doctor – 2008
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Fort Lewis College, Durango, Colorado
- B.A. – 1996
- Major: Political Science
Representative Cases
- Loken v. Boyce, 2012 MT 93N (Supreme Court of Montana, 2012)
- In re Estate of Kelly, 2014 MT 254 (Supreme Court of Montana, 2014)
- Darty V Cornish, 2018 MT 129 (Supreme Court of Montana, 2018)
Classes/Seminars
- New Lawyers Workshop, State Bar of Montana (faculty) 2016 – present
- Lawyer-Related Education Committee, State Bar of Montana (faculty) 2022 - present
- Citizens Law School, State Bar of Montana (faculty) 2023 - present
Professional Associations and Memberships
- Chair, Fee Arbitration Committee, State Bar of Montana (2024 - present)
- Member, Lawyer-Related Education Committee, State Bar of Montana (2023 - present)
- Past President - State Bar of Montana (2023 - 2024)
- President - State Bar of Montana (2022 - 2023)
- Life Fellow - American Bar Foundation (2017 – present)
- Trustee - State Bar of Montana (2016 – 2019)
- Past President - Western Montana Bar Association (2012 – 2019)
- Member - American Bar Association (2008 – present)
Past Employment Positions
- Missoula City Attorneys office, Trial Intern – Prosecutor
- Honorable Robert H. Whaley, U.S. District Court Judge, Eastern District of Washington, Clinical Intern
- Honorable Jeremiah C. Lynch, U.S. Magistrate Judge, District of Montana, Clinical Intern
- Colorado Outward Bound School, Instructor, Course Director, Program Manager, 1996 – 2003
Pro Bono Activities
- Wild Rockies Field Institute, President, Board of Directors, 2014 – 2020
- Advisory Counsel to various non-profit entities
Recent Blog Posts
Do small businesses really need an attorney?
The Bedrock of Liberty: Why an Independent Judiciary is Crucial to the Separation of Powers
How Attorneys can help in Real Estate and Property Transactions
Why You Need an Attorney in Your Corner for Real Estate Deals
The Benefits of Retaining General Legal Counsel for Your Business
Recommendations
- In all aspects of the professional relationship, I can honestly state that the school district could not have picked a better law firm.
- Dave is very knowledgeable and I appreciate that he always presents options. Regardless of how small my business matter might be, he takes my calls and I get his full attention. I feel confident that Dave has my success and best interest in mind, even if it means I end up not needing his service...
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Douglas Reisig, Ed.D., Superintendent Recommends David J. Steele
Without interruption, the firm dedicated itself to understanding the school district's legal position and needs. From a client's standpoint, I cannot think of a law firm that would have been a better advocate. - Dave is always prompt to answer or return my calls and messages. He is attentive to my concerns and is good at handling all elements of the situation, which greatly relieves my workload and anxiety.
- Mr. Steele was engaged to represent me in a complex civil suit. He timely responded to my questions, thoroughly explained my case and it's risks, and was able to achieve an excellent result. I highly recommend his services.
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