Briana E. Kottke

Briana is dedicated to ensuring the rights of the accused are respected and the actions of the government comply with the state and federal constitutions.  She is a fierce advocate of each and everyone of her clients. Briana takes pride in how she treats her clients and realizes everyone has a story to tell -- and Briana listens. If you need a criminal defense attorney, she is the one you should call.

Briana graduated from college in 2006 with high honors, earning degrees in paralegal studies with a minor in business administration as well as a bachelor’s degree in political science with a minor in history. She was Secretary of the Board of Directors for CASA-CAN of Great Falls, a nonprofit organization that provides guardian ad litem services to abused and neglected children in court proceedings.
 
After graduation, Briana worked as a paralegal at an insurance defense firm in Great Falls and then as a paralegal at the Office of the State Public Defender in Great Falls.
 
In August of 2008, Briana began law school at the University of Montana School of Law. While attending law school, Briana was a staff member and then an editor on the MONTANA LAW REVIEW. While on the Law Review, Briana, as Symposium Editor, orchestrated a two-day Symposium on the Montana Constitution, which was heralded as one of the best Symposia that the Law Review has held to date. She was a member of the UM Trial Team during her second year and a member of the Criminal Defense Clinic during her third year. Additionally, she was Professor Cynthia Ford’s research assistant in the areas of Evidence and Civil Procedure.
 
Between Briana’s first and second years of law school, she was again selected to work for the United States Senate Committee on Finance, but this time as a law clerk. Between Briana’s second and third years of law school, she worked at the Federal Defenders of Montana where her passion for criminal defense was reaffirmed. After graduating with honors from UM Law in May of 2011, Briana moved to Helena to clerk for Justice Jim Rice of the Montana Supreme Court.

After clerking for Justice Rice for a year, Briana was hired at Smith & Stephens P.C. in Missoula as part of its elite criminal defense team. Under the tutelage of John E. Smith and Colin M. Stephens, Briana gained invaluable knowledge in providing excellent and effective criminal defense.

Briana and Katy joined forces in June of 2015 to provide high caliber criminal defense and other services. Briana lives with her husband Corby and their pup in Missoula and loves enjoying the fun life and culture Missoula provides.