Paul D Odegaard

Paul Odegaard, a native of North Dakota, came to Montana in 1999 to begin his legal career in private practice. Prior to earning his law degree from the University of North Dakota School of Law in 1998, Paul graduated with honors from the University of Minnesota in 1994. While attending law school, he was inducted into the Order of the Coif, which reflected his achievement for graduating in the top 10% of his class. Paul was also published by, and a member of, the law review.

After graduating from law school, Paul served as a law clerk for the Justice Mary Muehlen Maring of the North Dakota Supreme Court for one year. From there, he began working for the Crowley Fleck firm in Billings, Montana, where he handled civil litigation cases—primarily in the fields of personal injury and workers’ compensation.

In 2001, Paul joined the firm, Cozzens, Warren & Harris. While there, he focused primarily on representing plaintiffs in personal injury, product liability, workers’ compensation and safe workplace litigation cases. In 2005, the firm became Cozzens, Harman, Warren, Harris & Odegaard, PLLP. In 2008, Paul started his own practice with a focus on work-related accidents.

Having spent much of his youth near the Bakken oil fields of the Williston Basin, he became particularly committed to representing victims of workplace injury in that region. Finally, in 2014, Paul formally merged his law practice with his friend and colleague, Matt Braukmann—subsequently forming Odegaard Braukmann Law, PLLC. Together, they continued to represent accident victims in Montana.

Both Paul and Matt represent their clients with a shared philosophy: to do what is right by the client. Paul comes from a long line of farmers, and is deeply influenced by his heritage. This influence has shaped his devotion to helping those who have been harmed by corporations, insurance companies and other moneyed interests. He is passionate about representing working class men and women.

Paul is married to his wife, Suzanne Odegaard, who is a radiological technician.  He also has three step-sons, Riley, Alex and Michael—ages 16 through 19—and a 6 year old daughter, Kate.  When time permits, Paul enjoys hunting, a fishing outing with friends or a ski weekend with his family.