Rich was born and raised in Great Falls, where he graduated from Great Falls High. After earing his Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Montana State University in 1977, Rich initially traveled to Washington D.C. to work with the FBI. Deciding against a career in federal law enforcement, Rich returned to Montana where he enrolled at the University of Montana Law School.
 
While attending the University of Montana Law School, Rich became employed as a Legal Intern with the firm. Upon his graduation from the Law School in 1971 Rich became an Associate Attorney with the firm, eventually becoming a partner in 1985.
 
Over the years Rich’s practice has evolved to meet the needs of his various clients, but he is at his best as a trial attorney. Currently, Rich handles many types of criminal and civil litigation.
 
In addition to general and complex criminal cases, Rich is a noted authority in the area of Montana DUI law. He is a Founding and Lifetime Member of the Montana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, (MtACDL) and the Montana Institute for Criminal Justice. He is also a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL). Rich has been certified on the Intoxilyzer 5000 and the Intoxilyzer 8000 breath testing devices. He has attended the National College of DUI Defense at Harvard University, and teaches and speaks at seminars on DUI Defense.
 
Rich’s civil litigation experience is also formidable. He has handled countless cases involving a multitude of legal areas, including Wrongful Death, Medical Malpractice, Employment Discrimination & Wrongful Termination, Personal Injury, Civil Rights, Water Rights as well as Wills & Trust Disputes and Small Business Disputes. He has litigated and appealed the constitutionality of numerous Montana State Statutes.
 
Rich is licensed to practice in all courts of the State of Montana. Rich is also licensed to practice before the Federal Court of Claims, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court.
 
Rich and his wife, Karen have two children. When he is not busy attending to the varied needs of his clients, Rich enjoys playing and officiating soccer, traveling with his family and attending sporting events of all kinds.