The University of Montana School of Law

David Paoli

Adjunct Professor
406-542-3330
davidrp@aol.com
Paoli Kutzman, P.C.

David R. Paoli, a native of Great Falls, Montana, graduated from Charles M. Russell High School prior to attending the University of Montana. He played noseguard for the Grizzlies as he put himself through college on a football scholarship. He earned a Bachelor degree with honors in Political Science with an emphasis in Business Administration. During law school, David was a member of the Board of Regents of the Montana University System. After graduating with honors in 1986 from the University of Montana School of Law, he was a law clerk to Judge Jack D. Shanstrom, United States District Court, District of Montana. While working for Judge Shanstrom, he served on the Montana Human Rights Commission.

After practicing personal injury law in Billings for three years, David began his own plaintiffs' civil litigation practice in 1992. He moved his offices to Missoula in 1993. He has represented individuals and small businesses from across the state of Montana in cases involving FELA, personal injuries, insurance bad faith, products liability (automobile manufacturer, medical devices, prescription drugs, etc.), medical negligence, and bank bad faith. David was elected to the Montana Trial Lawyers Association (MTLA) Board of Directors in 1990 and served as MTLA president in 1999-2000. He was the 1992 Recipient of the MTLA Public Service Award. He is a sustaining member of both the MTLA and the Association of Trial Lawyers of America (ATLA). He is listed in The Best Lawyers in America and is Designated Legal Counsel to the United Transportation Union. In 2011 the Montana Trial Lawyers Association regcongized him as Trial Lawyer of the Year.

David has previously served as Chairman of the United States Magistrate Judge Selection Committee. He is a member of Rotary International and serves on the National Advisory Board for Grizzly Athletics.

David and his wife, Monica, have two children, Isabell ("Bella") and Angelo ("Nino"). When his work and family obligations permit, he enjoys spending time fly fishing Montana's great rivers and streams, bird hunting, and cooking gourmet, Italian meals to raise money for his favorite charities.