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, including matters involving the cannabis sector, real estate and real property transactions, contract issues, and other civil matters. Dave also 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 the Immediate Past President of the State Bar of Montana, and a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation. The American Bar Foundation is among the world's leading research institutes for the empirical and interdisciplinary study of law, and which seeks to advance the understanding and improvement of law through research projects on the most pressing issues facing the legal system in the United States and the world. 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.
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. Magis trate 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
- Business and Commercial Transactions
- Cannabis-Related Businesses
- 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
- Immediate Past President - State Bar of Montana (2023 - present)
- President - State Bar of Montana (2022 - 2023)
- 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
Navigating the Waters of Homeowner Associations: Benefits and Risks Explained
The Separation of Powers Doctrine - Why an independent judiciary and legal profession is critical to our democracy.
The Indispensable Rule of Law in a Democracy
The Importance of an Independent Judiciary
Landlord-tenant disputes could mean legal action in Montana
Recommendations
- 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 is a competent, well prepared attorney. He is a valuable resource to the Montana legal community. His judgment and analytical skills are strong assets to any client he represents.
- Dave is an exemplar of a courteous professional. He is a pleasure to work with, whether on the same or opposite side of the case.
- David is an excellent attorney. He exemplifies the professionalism to which all attorneys should aspire. He is thorough and thoughtful. He is an extremely capable advocate for his clients.
- 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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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 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...
- In all aspects of the professional relationship, I can honestly state that the school district could not have picked a better law firm.