Tom Schoenleben

Tom Schoenleben is an attorney with Bitterroot Law in Hamilton, Montana, where Schoenleben focuses on criminal defense, with additional work in business transactions and aviation law. The practice includes DUI and serious felony cases, trial preparation, and other matters requiring courtroom advocacy. Schoenleben works on matters that require careful review of the facts, governing law, and the client’s practical objectives. The work stays closely connected to the decisions, risks, transactions, or disputes that brought the client to counsel.

Schoenleben graduated from the University of Montana School of Law in 2012. During law school, he focused on criminal defense and completed internships with the State Public Defender and Federal Defenders of Montana. This academic background supports legal analysis, research, writing, and problem solving. The training also supports careful review of rules, records, documents, and options within the lawyer’s current practice.

Schoenleben has experience with work as a public defender, a deputy public defender, and a managing attorney, including trials ranging from DUI matters to deliberate homicide cases. He also has specialized training in standardized field sobriety testing, which informs defense work involving impaired-driving allegations. This experience supports organized matter development and preparation for negotiation, transactions, administrative proceedings, trial, or appeal when required.

Tom Schoenleben brings more than a decade of criminal-defense and public-defender experience to clients in western Montana. Schoenleben has managed defense work while maintaining a practice centered on courtroom advocacy and client representation. The combination of education, prior roles, and current practice supports careful legal judgment and disciplined client service. The practice remains focused on the areas reflected in the lawyer’s current professional profile and clear guidance through the legal process.

Law Office Affiliations

• Attorney, Bitterroot Law
• Member, State Bar of Montana
• Montana State Chair – appointed, Lawyer Pilots Bar Association (2019)
• Member, Montana Trial Lawyers Association
• Member, American Association of Premier DUI Attorneys
• Treasurer, Montana Pilots Association (2018-Present)
• Appointed to the by Gov. Steve Bullock – appointed, Montana Board of Aeronautics (2019)
• Member, Experimental Aircraft Association (1993 – Present)

Licensed State

• Montana

Education

• University of Montana School of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)

Awards & Badges