Parsons Behle & Latimer

Jeffrey Kuchel is an experienced litigator in the firm’s Missoula, Montana office. He has developed a record of success in commercial and property litigation, focusing primarily on real property disputes, including title, easement and access issues. Clients value Jeff’s judgment, skill and focus on finding solutions while vigorously defending their rights.

Capabilities

Biography

Jeffrey Kuchel is a shareholder at Parsons Behle & Latimer. He concentrates his practice in real estate and commercial litigation. Jeff is recognized as a dedicated advocate who successfully represents a broad range of clients from landowners protecting their easement rights to financial institutions defending lender liability claims. Jeff’s real estate practice focuses not only on litigation, but also on finding and negotiating practical solutions that resolve disputes to meet his clients’ objectives.

Jeff is a Montana native with a broad professional background, including military service and working in corrections, law enforcement and health care. For two years, Jeff attended the University of Arizona until he recognized his call to serve and enlisted in the military as a medic. Jeff later resumed his studies, earning a Bachelor of Science degree from Northern Arizona University. He then returned to Montana where he earned his Juris Doctor degree, with honors, from the University of Montana School of Law.

Experience

Oberlander v. Hennequin, 2023 MT 45, 411 Mont. 320, 525 P.3d 1176

Represented landowner asserting easement claims before the Montana Supreme Court to reverse the district court's preliminary injunction.

Thomas Mann Post No. 81 of Am. Legion, Dep’t of Montana v. Knudsen Fam. Ltd. P’ship, 2022 MT 150, 409 Mont. 318, 514 P.3d 409

Successfully represented the American Legion in vindicating its easement rights over the adjacent property, prevailing on summary judgment in the district court and then on appeal at the Montana Supreme Court.

Croy v. Ravalli County, et al., 472 F.Supp.3d 877 (D. Mont. 2020)

Obtained summary judgment on the plaintiffs' claims concerning issues related to existence of historic public highway.

Accomplishments

Academic

2013 – J.D. with Honors, University of Montana School of Law

2009 – B.S., Interdisciplinary Studies with an emphasis in Public Management, Northern Arizona University

Professional

Co-editor-in-chief, Montana Law Review (2012-2013)

Associations

Professional

State Bar of Montana

State Bar of North Dakota

Wyoming State Bar

State Bar of Arizona

American Bar Association

Defense Trial Lawyers Association

Western Montana Bar Association

Montana Land Title Association

Community

Leadership Missoula (LM Class 35; Chair-Elect of LM37; Chair of LM 38)

Missoula Fourth Judicial District Veterans’ Court, Volunteer

Insights

Seasoned Attorney Jeffrey R. Kuchel Joins Parsons Behle & Latimer, Expanding Commercial Litigation and Real Estate Law Services in Missoula

Credentials

Licensed

Montana

U.S. Dist. Court, Dist. of Montana

North Dakota

Wyoming

Arizona (Inactive)

U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit

U.S. Court of Appeals, 8th Circuit

U.S. Supreme Court

Education

University of Montana School of Law