Kelsey Bunkers, a South Dakota native, is a Partner in the Bozeman office, serving clients across Montana, South Dakota, and the surrounding region. Kelsey’s practice focuses primarily on civil litigation, including defense of personal injury and product liability claims as well as representation in real property and commercial disputes. She is also experienced in and has represented numerous clients in guardianship and conservatorship matters as well as other estate-related matters. She is admitted to practice in both state and federal courts in Montana and South Dakota.
Kelsey graduated magna cum laude from Creighton University School of Law, Omaha, Nebraska, in 2007, where she was a member of the Board of Editors to the Creighton Law Review and a member of the Moot Court Board. Following graduation, Kelsey served as a law clerk to the Honorable Karen E. Schreier, Chief Judge for the United States District Court for the District of South Dakota from 2007 through 2009. Kelsey received her undergraduate degree, graduating summa cum laude, from Bates College, Lewiston, Maine, and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa.
Practice Areas
-
- Commercial Litigation
-
- Real Estate
- Access, Title and Property Disputes
-
- Tort Litigation
- Negligence
- Personal Injury
- Product Liability Defense
- Unfair Trade Practices Act
-
- Guardianships, Conservatorships and Disability Planning
Bar Admission
South Dakota, 2007
U.S. District Court, District of South Dakota, 2009
Montana, 2009
U.S. District Court, District of Montana, 2012
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, 2014
Education
2007 – J.D., Creighton University School of Law, Omaha, Nebraska, magna cum laude
2003 – B.A., Bates College, Lewiston, Maine, summa cum laude
Prior Experience (Employment)
2007-2009, Law Clerk, U.S. District Court, District of South Dakota, Honorable Karen E. Schreier, Chief Judge
2009-present, Crowley Fleck, PLLP
Honors & Awards
Mountain States Super Lawyers Rising Star (2015, 2017-Present)
Benchmark Litigation – Future Star (2019-present)
Best Lawyers – Real Estate Litigation (2025)
Professional Affiliations
State Bar of Montana
Gallatin County Bar Association
South Dakota State Bar Association
American Bar Association
Reported Decisions / Cases
Reported Appellate Decisions:
Zirkelbach Construction, Inc. v. DOWL, LLC, 2017 MT 238, 389 Mont. 8, 402 P.3d 1244
Williams v. First American Title Company, 2017 WL 1055598 (9th Cir. 2017)
Denton v. First American Title Ins. Co., 2015 MT 155N
JEM Contracting, Inc. v. Morrison-Maierle, Inc., 318 P.3d 678 (Mont. 2014)
Meadow Brook, LLP v. First American Title Ins. Co., 329 P.3d 608 (Mont. 2014)
Harpole v. Powell County Title Co., 309 P.3d 34 (Mont. 2013)