Gary D. Kalkstein, Partner

Gary Kalkstein, the principal partner in Kalkstein & Johnson, P.C., grew up on Long Island. He graduated from high school in 1977 and attended the University of Montana, graduating (with honors) in 1981 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history. He then taught special needs children in Glendive, Montana, for three years. Gary returned to school and attended the University of Montana School of Law, graduating (with honors) in 1987. Upon graduation, he clerked for Justice John C. “Skeff” Sheehy at the Montana Supreme Court, following which he entered private practice. To better serve his clients, in 1994, Gary opened his own offices in Missoula. He has represented both plaintiffs and defendants in civil disputes throughout the state of Montana. Over the last twenty years, and particularly from a defense perspective, Gary has handled and reviewed thousands of insurance claims, coverage disputes and personal injury actions. In 2005, he received an “AV” rating from Martindale Hubbell – meaning that he has been rated by his peers at the highest possible levels for professional ethics and legal ability.

Gary is a member of the Montana Bar Association and Western Montana Bar Association and is admitted to practice in all Montana state and federal courts. In his spare time, he spends time with his wife Janet, daughter Courtney, son David, and dogs Syd and Kobe. He enjoys biking, hiking, and the Boston Red Sox.

C.J. Johnson, Partner

C.J. Johnson was born in Huntington Valley, Pennsylvania in 1973, and grew up in Pennsylvania, Minnesota and Colorado. He graduated from Evergreen High School in Evergreen, Colorado, in 1991, and attended the University of Colorado at Boulder. He graduated in 1995 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in third-world history, with an emphasis in China. C.J. next attended the University of Montana School of Law, graduating in 1999. During law school, he served on the University of Montana Public Land and Resources Law Review, and was a member of the law school’s competitive negotiation and ATLA trial teams. Following graduation, he clerked for the Honorable Richard F. Cebull, United States Magistrate Judge in Great Falls, Montana. C.J. then returned to Missoula and joined the Kalkstein Law Firm, P.C. in 2000. He became a partner in Kalkstein & Johnson, P.C., in August 2005.

C.J. is a member of the Montana Bar Association, Western Montana Bar Association, Montana Trial Lawyers Association and the Association of Trial Lawyers of America. He is admitted to practice in all Montana state and federal courts. He spends free time with his beautiful bride Malin Stearns Johnson and their dog Misha, and enjoys photography, fly fishing, hiking, running, skiing, and racquetball.

Travis Dye, Associate

Travis Dye is a third-generation Montanan, born in Billings and raised in Missoula and Helena. He graduated from Hellgate High School in Missoula in 1990 and went on to attend Seattle University and the University of Montana. Travis graduated from the University of Montana with high honors in 1997 with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Sociology (emphasis in Criminology). Travis received his law degree with high honors from the University of Montana School of Law in 2001. During law school, he was a staff member and co-editor-in-chief of the Montana Law Review and served as an intern at the Missoula County Attorney’s Office. Following graduation, Travis spent two years as a law clerk to the Honorable Donald W. Molloy, Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the District of Montana. After completing his clerkship, Travis spent four years at a Missoula firm that specializes in insurance defense work. He joined Kalkstein & Johnson in June 2007.

Travis is a member of the Montana Bar Association and the Western Montana Bar Association and is admitted to practice in all Montana state and federal courts, as well as the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Travis is married to the lovely and talented Megan Ashton. Together they enjoy hiking, biking, skiing, cooking, and soccer.