Gary Kalkstein

Gary Kalkstein is a partner at Hall Booth Smith, P.C. in Missoula, Montana. Gary focuses on medical malpractice defense and health care law. The practice serves physicians, hospitals, nurses, and other health care providers facing malpractice or licensing matters and includes medical negligence defense, licensing disputes, proceedings before the Montana Medical Legal Panel and professional boards, and litigation in state and federal courts.

Gary earned a J.D. with honors from the University of Montana School of Law and a B.S. with honors from the University of Montana. His honors-level legal and undergraduate education supports the careful analysis of medical evidence, professional standards, procedure, and legal risk required in health care defense. The academic background supports his medical malpractice practice by strengthening the research, writing, and analytical skills used to evaluate facts and legal authority.

Gary has approximately 35 years of experience defending health care providers in medical malpractice and licensing disputes. His work spans pre-suit review, panel proceedings, professional licensing issues, trial-court litigation, and other matters involving allegations of medical negligence. The work provides practical perspective on preparation, strategy, documentation, and the procedural choices that can shape medical malpractice matters from start to finish.

Gary Kalkstein has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America for health care and medical malpractice defense and was named a 2026 Lawyer of the Year for Litigation – Insurance. His long-term focus on health care defense provides substantial experience with the professional, regulatory, and litigation issues facing medical clients. Gary’s practice reflects an organized approach to analysis and preparation, with attention to the practical issues that shape medical malpractice representation and client decisions.

Law Office Affiliations

• Partner, Hall Booth Smith, P.C.
• Member, State Bar of Montana
• Fellow, American Bar Foundation
• Member, American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA)
• Member, DRI
• Member, Montana Defense Trial Lawyers

Licensed State

• Montana

Education

• University of Montana
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• University of Montana
  Bachelor of Science (BS)

Awards & Badges