Paul D. Odegaard

Paul Odegaard, a North Dakota native, 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. 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, where 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 and continued to focus on helping people deal with the devastating effects of physical injuries or wrongful death – whether caused by a workplace accident, defective products, or the negligence of others. 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. In 2019, Paul merged his law practice with his friend and colleague, A.J. Miller—forming Odegaard Injury Lawyers. The firm has grown to 6 lawyers, all of whom have a shared philosophy: to do what is right by the client. The firm, with a combined legal experience of nearly 70 years, has offices in Billings and Helena, and represents clients statewide. 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, has three step-sons, Riley, Alex and Michael, ages 17 through 21, and an 8-year-old daughter, Kate. When time permits, Paul enjoys hunting, a fishing outing with friends or a ski weekend with his family. Awards and Honors Honors Olger Burtness Faculty Research Scholar, UND School of Law, 1996 - 1997

• Yellowstone County Bar Family Law Project
• Big Brother Big Sister of Yellowstone County, Board Member, 2006-2008

• Montana, 1998
• North Dakota, 1999
• U.S. District Court District of Montana, 2000

• State Bar of Montana
• American Bar Association
• American Association for Justice
• Montana Trial Lawyers Association
• Yellow Area Bar Association