Ashley’s practice focuses on employment law, insurance defense, and commercial litigation. Ashley has represented a diverse group of individuals and organizations in both contract and tort actions. Ashley also defends employers from discrimination and wrongful discharge claims. Ashley negotiates and mediates disputes on behalf of her clients and has tried cases in Montana.
In addition to her litigation practice, Ashley enjoys representing local individuals and businesses with employment questions, estate litigation, obtaining guardianships and conservatorships for their loved ones with disabilities, and other day-to-day legal needs.
Ashley and her husband Chris enjoy hiking, skiing, and exploring Montana’s outdoors with their two kids and cheering on the Nebraska Cornhuskers.
Practice Areas
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- Commercial Litigation
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- Advice and representation in employment litigation, including wrongful discharge and discrimination matters
- Employee discipline and termination advice
- Employee screening, hiring practices and policies
- Employment contract review and drafting
- Employment policy development, including handbook drafting and review
- Family and Medical Leave Act compliance
- Separation agreements
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- Pro Bono
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- Tort Litigation
- Medical Malpractice Defense
- Negligence
- Personal Injury
- Product Liability Defense
- Professional negligence, including medical malpractice
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- Fiduciary Obligations and Estate and Trust Litigation
Bar Admission
State of Montana, 2013
U.S. District Court of Montana, 2013
State of Colorado, 2012
State of North Dakota, 2014
State of Wyoming, 2014
Education
2012, J.D., University of Nebraska College of Law
2008, B.A. in Psychology, High Distinction, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Honors & Awards
Best Lawyers – Ones to Watch – Commercial Litigation (2023)
CALI Award for Excellence in Clinical Practice-Civil Clinic
Outstanding Civil Clinic Student Award
Community Involvement
Flathead Area Young Professionals
Professional Affiliations
Montana Defense Trial Lawyers
Defense Research Institute
State Bar of Montana
Northwest Montana Bar Association
Nebraska State Bar Association
Presentations & Publications
Tess M.S. Neal, Ashley Christiansen, Brian H. Bornstein, Timothy R. Robicheaux (2012): The
effects of mock jurors’ beliefs about eyewitness performance on trial judgments, Psychology, Crime & Law, 18:1, 49-64