A&M Law: Practice Areas, Fees and Process

What is A&M Law?

A&M Law is a small law firm in Missoula, Montana. Its legal name, shown in the site footer, is A&M Law, PLLC, and its website lives at MyMontanaLawyer.com, so people search for it under both names. It has two attorneys, both partners and co-founders, plus a legal assistant and an office dog named Roscoe.

The firm describes itself as "a small, intentional firm" and says it limits its caseload on purpose so that clients deal directly with a partner. Its Meet the Team page puts it plainly: "A&M Law is four names on one page for a reason. This is the whole list." There are no associates. The trade-off, in the firm's own words, is that "a two-attorney firm takes fewer cases than a large one, and there are weeks when the calendar is full."

Its practice splits into five areas, which the site lists as Cooperative Family Law, criminal defense, DUI defense, family law and personal injury. The firm calls Cooperative Family Law its "signature service": a process in which one neutral firm works with both spouses together to settle a divorce or parenting plan out of court. That process is explained below, because it is the part of the firm that differs most from a typical law office.

The site also publishes free reading: Montana DUI, divorce and domestic violence guides, a winter legal guide, a blog and a video interview called "It Doesn't Have to Be a Battle." The firm labels this general information, not legal advice.

Who owns and runs A&M Law?

The site names Misty Gaubatz and Ashley Hurlbert as the firm's partners and co-founders. Everything below is as the firm publishes it.

Misty D. Gaubatz, Partner

• Bar admission: admitted to the Montana Bar in 2020, Bar #12234. Her bio says she has "worked in law for more than two decades," which includes work before she became an attorney.
• Education: Juris Doctorate from the Alexander Blewett III School of Law at the University of Montana, plus a Certificate in Mediation from the University of Montana; a BA in English Literature and American History from San Francisco State University.
• Background: Clinical Law Clerk for U.S. District Judge Donald W. Molloy in the District of Montana; work in a local prosecutor's office; hearings officer work, including for the Missoula Housing Authority.
• Certifications listed: NHTSA Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFST) and ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences) training.
• Practice: roughly half family law, with the rest split between criminal defense and DUI defense, according to her bio.
• Court admissions listed: Montana Supreme Court, District, Justice, City and Municipal Courts, the Montana Human Rights Bureau, and the U.S. District Court for the District of Montana.
• Memberships listed: Montana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers; State Bar of Montana and its Family Law Section.

Ashley Hurlbert, Partner

• Experience: 18 years of legal experience and, by her bio's count, lead attorney in more than 50 jury and bench trials.
• Education: Juris Doctorate from the University of North Dakota School of Law (after a first year at Willamette College of Law in Oregon); undergraduate degree in History with a minor in Political Science from Montana State University Billings.
• Background: born and raised in Butte; built a practice in Dickinson, North Dakota, where her bio says she went from associate to partner in three years, before returning to Montana.
• Licensing: licensed in Montana and admitted in state and federal court, according to the site.
• Practice: family law, custody and adoption, criminal defense, DUI defense and personal injury.

The rest of the team

Dakota Holman is the firm's legal assistant. The site says she holds a BA in Criminology and Forensic Science from the University of Montana, is a commissioned Notary Public, and previously worked in compliance and as a court clerk in Missoula. She usually takes the first call. Because she is a notary, the firm says clients can sign sworn documents such as affidavits and financial declarations in the office during an appointment.

Roscoe is the office dog, a mixed breed. The site is clear that he is "an office dog, not a certified therapy or service animal," and that if you are allergic or would rather not meet a dog, you can say so when you book and he will stay out of the room.

Is A&M Law legit?

People ask this about any firm they find online. Here is what can be checked, and what we could not check ourselves:

• A real office and phone line. The firm publishes a street address (319 West Pine Street, Suite 2, Missoula, MT 59802), office hours, a phone number (406-830-3060) and a direct email for each partner.
• Named attorneys with published bar details. Misty Gaubatz's bar number (#12234) and year of admission (2020) appear on her profile. Ashley Hurlbert's bar number is not shown on the site. The State Bar of Montana keeps an attorney directory; we could not pull a public result from it for this guide, so we have attributed licensing details to the firm. You can confirm any Montana lawyer's status with the State Bar of Montana.
• A results disclaimer. The Results & Reviews page says "no attorney can promise a particular result" and that "prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome." Pages are labeled "Attorney advertising."
• Published reviews. The site shows a 4.8 rating from 23 Google reviews, with a link through to Google. That figure is the firm's own display of its Google profile, not an independent rating from us.
• A clear "we don't do that" list. The firm names the work it turns away (wills, trusts, probate and more), which is unusual for a law firm site.

What cases does A&M Law take?

The Practice Areas page says, "If your matter is not on this page, we do not take it." Here is what is on it.

The firm points out that these areas often overlap in real life: a protective order in the middle of a divorce, or a DUI during a parenting-plan negotiation. Its stated position is that handling both sides in one firm "is part of why people call us."

What A&M Law does not handle

The firm publishes a short list of work it does not take: it "does not draft wills or trusts, does not handle probate or estate administration, and does not take business formation, elder law, or water rights matters." It flags estate planning in particular, because people going through a divorce often need to update a will, beneficiary designations and powers of attorney. It says it will tell you who in Missoula does that work.

It also says it serves Western Montana generally. If your case is elsewhere in the state, the firm asks you to call and says it will tell you "honestly whether we are the right firm for it."

What is Cooperative Family Law?

This is the firm's best-known service and the one people most often misunderstand, so it is worth getting right.

The firm defines it as "an amicable, out-of-court approach to divorce and parenting plans in which one neutral law firm works with both spouses together, representing the process rather than either side, to reach an agreement and get it drafted and filed properly." The firm says its two partners co-developed this model in Western Montana.

The key features, as the firm describes them:

• One neutral firm, not two lawyers. A&M Law does not represent either spouse. It represents the process.
• Before anyone hires a lawyer. The firm is usually engaged before either spouse has retained their own attorney.
• Both spouses, one room. The couple meets with the firm together. There is no one-on-one advice; all legal guidance is given to both people at once.
• Real legal information. Because the neutrals are attorneys, they can explain the law and what a court would likely do, which the firm contrasts with a mediator, who cannot give legal advice.
• Start to finish. The firm drafts the agreement into the documents Montana requires and submits them for the final decree.
• You can still get your own lawyer. The site says, "If either person ever wants their own lawyer, nothing stops them."

It is not "collaborative" divorce. The site draws the line clearly. In collaborative divorce, each spouse hires their own attorney, and both usually sign a disqualification clause: if the case does not settle, both attorneys must withdraw. In the cooperative model there is one neutral firm, no second attorney and no disqualification clause.

It is not mediation either. Both are neutral and both stay out of court, but a mediator facilitates the conversation and typically does not handle the paperwork, so couples often bring in attorneys afterward. The firm says it will tell you honestly which one fits your family.

It is not for every case. The firm says both spouses must take part in good faith. Where there is abuse, intimidation or a refusal to disclose finances, it says "a different approach may protect you better," and that it will tell you so at the consultation. Its library includes a page on how it screens for domestic violence.

How a cooperative divorce works, step by step

The firm's How It Works page lays out seven steps:

1. Consultation. The firm learns about your family, finances and goals, and says whether the cooperative approach fits. It says it will tell you if litigation or mediation would serve you better.
2. The firm serves as a neutral for both of you. It does not take sides or give one-on-one advice.
3. Participation agreement. Both spouses sign written ground rules: complete financial disclosure, respectful communication and a good-faith effort to settle without litigation.
4. Full financial disclosure. You exchange information on income, assets, debts and expenses voluntarily, instead of through formal discovery. For complex items (a business, retirement accounts, real estate) the firm says it can bring in neutral experts both of you trust.
5. Structured negotiation meetings. A series of focused sessions on property and debt, a parenting schedule, child support and any spousal support.
6. A parenting plan. If you have children, the firm calls the parenting plan "often the heart of the process."
7. Written agreement and final decree. The firm puts the terms into the formal documents Montana requires and submits them to the court. You still file for divorce; the court still issues the final order.

The firm says much of a cooperative matter can be handled by phone, email and video, so couples outside Missoula don't necessarily have to drive in. How long it takes depends on your assets and parenting issues; ask the firm for a realistic timeline for your situation.

Criminal defense

A&M Law defends charges in Montana's district, justice and city courts, "from a first-offense misdemeanor through felony matters." The list includes PFMA and other domestic violence charges, assault, drug charges, theft and burglary, weapons charges, felonies, misdemeanors, juvenile defense and driving offenses. It also handles early termination of probation for people already serving a sentence.

What the firm points to as its background here: Misty Gaubatz's work inside a local prosecutor's office, her federal clerkship, and her NHTSA field sobriety testing certification; and Ashley Hurlbert's trial experience. Its stated approach is to review the evidence, "challenge what should be challenged," and prepare every case as if it will go to trial.

The firm's domestic violence pages note a point that matters to many people: the same allegation can affect a criminal case and a custody case at the same time, in different courts. The firm handles both kinds of matter, and says what you say in one "can matter a great deal in the other."

DUI and DWI defense

DUI is a separate practice area at A&M Law. The firm's framing is that "a DUI arrest starts two cases at once: the criminal charge and the fight to keep your license," and that the license case has its own short deadline. The firm says its DUI defense is led by Misty Gaubatz, whom it describes as NHTSA field-sobriety certified.

According to the DUI page, the firm's review of a case looks at:

• whether the officer had a lawful reason for the traffic stop;
• whether field sobriety tests were given to NHTSA standards;
• whether the breath-testing instrument was properly calibrated and maintained;
• how any blood sample was drawn, stored and tested;
• whether your constitutional rights were respected.

It has separate pages for first offenses, second and third offenses, felony DUI, aggravated DUI, test refusal, license suspensions and hearings, Montana's 24/7 Sobriety Program, THC DUI, under-21 drivers, commercial drivers and out-of-state drivers, plus a long Montana DUI Guide. Penalties and deadlines depend on the facts and the law at the time; if you have been arrested, talk to a lawyer about your own deadlines rather than relying on any website, including this one.

Family law

Not every family matter can be settled cooperatively, and A&M Law also handles contested family cases. The family law page says, "Where possible, we pursue resolution through our Cooperative Family Law methodology... When adversarial proceedings are necessary, we are prepared and ready to fight." The Practice Areas page adds: "when it cannot [be resolved], we try it."

Services listed include:

• Divorce (Montana calls it dissolution of marriage), including uncontested, military divorce and annulment.
• Parenting plans and custody, including relocation cases and a page called "Keep My Kids in Montana."
• Child support and spousal support (maintenance).
• Property division.
• Paternity, adoption (including step-parent adoption) and guardianship.
• Prenuptial agreements.
• LGBT family law.

The firm explains that Montana uses "parenting plans" rather than the older words custody and visitation, and that courts decide on the best interests of the child. Its custody page says the partners' experience with children's issues, including ACE training, informs how they handle parenting cases.

Personal injury

A&M Law takes injury claims after vehicle crashes, dog bites, workplace injuries and deaths caused by someone else's negligence. It also takes cases where your own insurer is the problem: delays, low offers and denials on a policy you have been paying for.

How it is paid: on a contingency fee. The firm says "there is no bill to start and no fee unless we recover for you." The contingency percentage is not published, and the site does not say how case costs (records, filing fees, experts) are handled, so ask about both before you sign.

The firm's four steps for injury cases are an initial consultation "at no charge," investigation, negotiation with the insurer, and resolution. It says most cases settle and that it is prepared to go to trial when they don't.

The injury pages make two practical points. First, the insurer assigns an adjuster within days and evidence such as security footage, vehicle damage and witness memory fades quickly. Second, Montana sets filing deadlines for injury claims that vary by claim type, and the firm offers to tell you which deadline applies to your case. If you have been hurt, check your deadline with a lawyer early.

Where is A&M Law, and what areas does it serve?

The firm's only office is at 319 West Pine Street, Suite 2, Missoula, MT 59802, in downtown Missoula. The site says it is "a few minutes from the courthouse."

Office hours: Monday to Thursday 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Friday 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, closed Saturday and Sunday. The contact page says the firm gets back to messages "within one business day, and for urgent matters, we answer the phone."

From that one office, the firm says it appears in courts across five Montana judicial districts:

Do you need a lawyer from your own county? The firm notes that a Montana-licensed attorney may appear in any court in the state, so no. Can you avoid driving to Missoula? Often, the firm says: much family and cooperative work happens by phone, email and video, and Montana courts hold many hearings remotely, though some appearances must be in person.

How much does A&M Law cost?

A&M Law does not publish hourly rates, retainers or flat fees on its website. Here is what it does say:

What affects the price of a cooperative divorce, according to the firm: complexity. A straightforward case with cooperative spouses costs least; "a closely held business, multiple properties, significant retirement or investment accounts, or a genuine dispute over parenting all add time, and time is the main cost."

Insurance and financing. The site does not mention payment plans, financing, legal insurance plans or accepted payment methods. Ask when you call.

To get a number, call 406-830-3060 or use the contact form and ask for an estimate for your type of case.

What happens when you call

The firm publishes both a general four-step process and a description of who you will deal with. Put together:

1. The first call. Usually Dakota Holman answers. She takes down what happened, works out how urgent it is, and books you with one of the partners.
2. Consultation. With Misty Gaubatz or Ashley Hurlbert, in person at the Missoula office or by phone. The firm says it will explain the law in plain language and outline the likely paths forward, "with no pressure and no obligation." Bring any paperwork you have; the firm says it can usually tell you which court a document is from straight away.
3. Investigation. Gathering police reports, body-cam and dash-cam footage, discovery, financial and medical records, and witness statements, and preserving evidence early.
4. Strategy. A plan for your goals and your court: motions, negotiation, mediation or trial preparation.
5. Resolution. Through settlement, mediation, a plea or a trial verdict.

A point the firm stresses: "Whichever partner you meet is the one who will run your case." Both partners know the files well enough to cover a hearing if a trial runs long, but the case does not change hands. Dakota handles filings, scheduling, records requests and notarizing.

How it compares with other options

For divorce, the comparison people usually want is between the ways to end a marriage. The firm's own comparison tables cover most of this; the table below is a plain summary.

For criminal, DUI and injury work, the choice is usually between firm types:

Who it suits, and who should look elsewhere

Questions to ask before you hire

1. Which partner will handle my case, and has that partner handled cases like mine in this county's court?
2. How is your fee structured for my type of case: hourly, flat or retainer? What would a realistic total look like?
3. For an injury case: what is the contingency percentage, and who pays case costs if there is no recovery?
4. For a cooperative divorce: what happens if we reach an impasse partway through? Can either of you represent one of us later?
5. How will what we share in the cooperative process be treated if the case ends up in court?
6. For a DUI: what deadlines am I facing on the license side, and when do they start?
7. How do you prefer to communicate, and how quickly do you return calls and emails?

How to get started

1. Read the Practice Areas page to check the firm handles your type of matter.
2. If you're considering an out-of-court divorce, read How Cooperative Family Law Works together with your spouse.
3. Gather any paperwork: court papers, citations, a police report, insurance letters or financial statements.
4. Call 406-830-3060 during office hours, or send a message through the contact page.
5. At the consultation, ask for a fee estimate and who will handle your case.

Visit A&M Law

Terms you'll see on the site

• Cooperative Family Law: the firm's name for its neutral, out-of-court process in which one firm guides both spouses together.
• Collaborative divorce: a different out-of-court method where each spouse has their own attorney.
• Dissolution of marriage: Montana's legal term for divorce.
• Parenting plan: Montana's term for the custody schedule and decision-making arrangement for children.
• Participation agreement: the written ground rules both spouses sign at the start of a cooperative divorce.
• PFMA: Partner or Family Member Assault, the main domestic violence charge in Montana.
• SFST / NHTSA: Standardized Field Sobriety Tests, as set out by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
• 24/7 Sobriety Program: a Montana sobriety-monitoring program that can apply after a DUI arrest; the firm has a page on it.
• Contingency fee: a fee paid only if there is a recovery, usually a share of it.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

All pages checked on 19 October 2026.

1. A&M Law home page: mymontanalawyer.com
2. About A&M Law: mymontanalawyer.com/about/
3. Contact: mymontanalawyer.com/contact/
4. Attorney profiles: Misty Gaubatz, Ashley Hurlbert
5. Meet the Team: team page, Dakota Holman, Roscoe
6. Why Trust A&M Law: mymontanalawyer.com/why-trust-am-law/
7. Our Process: mymontanalawyer.com/our-process/
8. Client Results & Reviews: mymontanalawyer.com/results/
9. Practice Areas: mymontanalawyer.com/practice-areas/
10. Cooperative Family Law pages: overview, how it works, FAQ, cost, vs. collaborative, vs. mediation, podcast
11. Family law pages: family law, divorce, uncontested divorce, child custody
12. Criminal defense pages: criminal defense, domestic violence defense, DUI / DWI defense
13. Personal injury pages: personal injury, auto accidents
14. Areas served: areas we serve, Missoula, Hamilton & Ravalli County, Lake County, Butte-Silver Bow, Anaconda-Deer Lodge
15. Terms of Service: mymontanalawyer.com/terms-of-service/
16. State Bar of Montana attorney directory: montanabar.org