Bio
About Alan J. Lerner
lerner@lernerlawmt.com
Al has practiced law in Montana for more than 47 years.
He graduated from California State University at Northridge in 1971 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree, cum laude, in Political Science. Al graduated with a Juris Doctorate Degree, magna cum laude, from the University of Toledo College of Law in 1974, and was ranked 1st in his class. While in law school, Al was Special Projects Editor for the University of Toledo Law Review and was Co-Director of Student Legal Services.
Al is admitted to practice before all Montana State Courts, the United States District Court for the District of Montana, the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court.
Al is listed in Mountain States Super Lawyers (2009-2013)(2015-2022), in Who’s Who in American Law and is AV® Preeminent™ peer rated by Martindale-Hubble. Al is a member of the State Bar of Montana, the Northwest Montana Bar Association, and the Montana Trial Lawyers Association.
Interests & Hobbies
Al has a special interest in aviation accident cases. He was an avid pilot from 1979 until 2000, accumulating about 1,800 hours of flight time. Al held a Commercial, Multi-Engine Airman’s Certificate with an Instrument Rating, and a Flight Instructor’s Certificate.
Al is the father of four daughters and grandfather of five children. In his spare time Al enjoys hiking, walking, golfing, and he is a dog lover.
Reported Cases
Some of Al’s reported cases are:
Konceky v. Allstate, 2017 WL 6625038, 2017 U.S.Dist. LEXIS 212636;
Tkachyk v. Traveler’s Home & Marine Ins. Co., Case No. 16-CV-00028-DLC (D.
Mont., 2017);
Westchester Surplus Lines Ins. Co. v. Keller Transport, Inc., 2016 MT 6, 382
Mont. 72, 365 P.3d 465;
Burton v. Trinity Universal Insurance Company, 2015 WL 11090362 CV
14-242-M-DWM;
Forsman v. United Financial Case. Co., 966 F.Supp.2d 10912013 WL 4500677 (D.
Mont. 2013)(settled on appeal);
Hurly v. Lake Cabin Development, LLC, 2012 MT 77, 2012 WL 1187581;
Blanton v. Department of Public Health and Human Services, 2011 MT 110, 360
Mont. 396, 255 P.3d 1229;
Shattuck v. Kalispell Regional Medical Center, Inc., 2011 MT 229, 362 Mont.
100, 261 P.3d 1021;
Walters v. Flathead Concrete Products, Inc., 2011 MT 45, 359 Mont. 346, 249
P.3d 913;
Thomas v. Nautilus Ins. Co., 2011 WL 4369496 (D.Mont., September 19, 2011)
Ferguson v. Safeco Ins. Co. of America, 342 Mont. 380, 180 P.3d 1164 (Mont.,
2008);
In re Estate of Bovey, 331 Mont. 254, 132 P.3d 510 (Mont., 2006);
Burton v. State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co., 105 Fed.Appx. 154, 2004 WL 1398602
(C.A.9);
Burton v. Mountain West Farm Bureau Mut. Ins. Co., 214 F.R.D. 598 (D.Mont.,
2003);
Lierboe v. State Farm Mut. Auto. Ins. Co., 316 Mont. 382, 73 P.3d 800
(Mont., 2003);
Hudson v. Edsall v. Odyssey, 30 M.F.R. 462, 466 (D.Mont., 2002);
Yeti by Molly, Ltd. v. Deckers Outdoor Corp., 259 F.3d 1101 (9th Cir.,
2001);
Bell v. Glock, Inc. (USA), 92 F.Supp.2d 1067 (D.Mont., 2000);
Hanson v. Edwards, 301 Mont. 185, 7 P.3d 419 (Mont., 2000);
Schumacher v. Stephens, 1998 MT 58, 288 Mont. 115, 596 P.2d 76;
Austin v. Cash, 274 Mont. 54, 906 P.2d 669 (Mont., 1995);
Burton v. Cady, 257 Mont. 529, 851 P.2d 1047 (1993);
Schrammeck v. Federal Sav. & Loan Ins. Corp., 258 Mont. 391, 853 P.2d 702
(Mont., 1993.);
Lence v. Hagadone Inv. Co., 258 Mont. 433, 853 P.2d 1230 (Mont., 1993);
Sible v. Lee Enterprises, Inc., 224 Mont. 163, 729 P.2d 1271 (Mont., 1986);
Gammon v. Gammon, 210 Mont. 463, 684 P.2d 1081 (Mont., 1984);
In re the Marriage of Bolstad, 203 Mont. 131, 600 P.2d 95 (1983);
In re the Marriage of Wroot, 240 Mont. 409, 784 P.2d 904 (1983);
Dybvik v. Dybvik, 201 Mont. 389, 654 P.2d 989 (Mont., 1982);
In re the Marriage of Bosacker, 187 Mont. 141, 609 P.2d 253 (1980);
State v. Allies, 190 Mont. 475, 621 P.2d 1080 (Mont., 1980);
State v. Allies, 186 Mont. 99, 606 P.2d 1043 (1979);
Van Ettinger v. Pappin, 180 Mont. 1, 588 P.2d 988 (Mont., 1978);
LaPlant v. LaPlant, 170 Mont. 175, 551 P.2d 1014 (1976);
State ex rel. Nawd’s T.V. & Appliance Inc. v. District Court of Thirteenth
Judicial Dist. In and For Yellowstone County, 168 Mont. 456, 543 P.2d 1336
(Mont., 1975).
