John G. Crist, Attorney

John Crist graduated from the University of Montana in 1980 with a B.A. in Philosophy, with High Honors.  He is a 1984 Honors graduate of the University of Montana Law School, where he served on the Law Review.

After law school, he practiced with the Minneapolis-based law firm of Dorsey & Whitney, PLLP for 13 years as an associate and later a partner in the Trial Department.  Mr. Crist left Dorsey & Whitney in February 1998 to establish the Crist Law Firm, LLC.   

Since the beginning of his legal career, he has been engaged in commercial and employment litigation.  On the commercial side, he has litigated, arbitrated and tried disputes in the areas of securities fraud, anti-trust, construction, oil and gas, non-compete agreements, arson fraud, minority shareholder disputes, personal injury and various contract matters. 

For the last fifteen years, approximately 50% of his practice has been in employment law.  This includes providing advice on disciplinary issues, claims of discrimination based on gender, age or disability, Family Medical Leave Act issues, sexual harassment issues, and advice concerning the risks associated with terminating employees. 

Mr. Crist has tried in excess of 50 cases in state and federal court in Montana, arbitrated numerous cases before the AAA, National Association of Securities Dealers and New York Stock Exchange Arbitration Panels, represented employers in labor arbitrations, and has handled numerous administrative hearings before the Montana Human Rights Bureau.

He has received his AV rating from Martindale Hubbell.  Mr. Crist was one of only ten Montana lawyers included in the Top 75 in the 2008 Mountain States Super Lawyers, and was selected for inclusion on the 2008 and 2009 Editions of The Best Lawyers in America in the areas of Commercial Litigation, Labor and Employment and Personal Injury law.

Mr. Crist has been active on numerous state and local bar committees.  He is the Past-President of the Yellowstone Area Bar Association.