Dave Berkoff

Dave Berkoff is an attorney at Schmidt Berkoff PLLC in Missoula, Montana. Dave focuses on employment and discrimination, insurance coverage, construction defects, trucking law, and general business law. The practice serves employees, employers, insurers, businesses, and other clients involved in litigation or coverage disputes and includes civil litigation, employment claims, insurance coverage disputes, construction defect matters, trucking cases, and business-related legal issues.

Dave earned a B.A. in Anthropology from Harvard University in 1988, an M.S. in Environmental Studies from the University of Montana in 1995, and a J.D. from the University of Montana School of Law in 1998. His multidisciplinary education supports a practice that requires close factual analysis, persuasive advocacy, and an understanding of business and regulatory contexts.

Dave has practiced law in Montana for nearly 30 years and has handled hundreds of cases from start to finish, including jury trials and appellate appearances. His representative work includes employment and family-leave claims as well as insurance coverage disputes that reached the Montana Supreme Court and federal court. Across these matters, Dave has gained experience evaluating facts, legal authority, and resolution options in the context of employment and discrimination.

Dave Berkoff has appeared before the Montana Supreme Court and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in addition to trial-court work. His practice combines trial, appellate, employment, coverage, construction, trucking, and business experience across a broad range of civil disputes. In employment and discrimination matters, Dave combines legal analysis with practical judgment and focuses on clear advice, organized preparation, and the issues most relevant to the client.

Law Office Affiliations

• Attorney, Schmidt Berkoff PLLC
• Member, State Bar of Montana
• Former Board Member, Montana Defense Trial Lawyers
• Former Co-Founder, Montana Federal Bar Association
• Member, American Bar Association
• Member, Western Montana Bar Association
• Member, Montana Trial Lawyers Association

Licensed State

• Montana

Education

• University of Montana
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Harvard University
  Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Anthropology
• University of Montana
  Master of Science (MS) in Environmental Studies

Awards & Badges