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Charlie K. Smith is a Partner in the Butte office and a member of the Employment Practice Group. His practice is primarily centered on workers’s compensation matters. He manages disputes arising from workplace injuries, which often involve contentious issues over benefits, such as wage loss or medical treatments. 

Charlie’s strong relationships with adjusters are crucial to his practice. They rely on him for prompt, reliable legal support and trust him to manage cases effectively when issues arise. Known for his problem-solving skills, he rarely turns down a case and maintains long-standing connections with adjusters, ensuring they can depend on his expertise whenever needed.

In the fall of 2023, Charlie was appointed Chairman of the Workers’ Compensation Rules Committee by the current WCC Judge with whom he has a longstanding professional relationship from a previous firm. In this role, Charlie spearheads the amendment and drafting of court rules, playing a key role in shaping the regulatory framework for workers’ compensation decisions.

With a background in engineering, Charlie qualified for, and passed, the U.S. Patent Bar. He is Crowley Fleck’s only registered patent attorney, and one of about 20 in all of Montana. Charlie has litigated several patent and trademark cases in Federal Court.

Before joining the firm, Charlie specialized in medical malpractice defense, developing a strong command of medical terminology, complex records, and doctoral depositions. This expertise enhances his workers’ compensation practice, allowing him to skillfully handle complex medical issues.

A Montana native, Charlie loves spending time outdoors, hunting, fishing, hiking, biking, and snowboarding. He can usually be found outside, coaching his kids’ basketball and football teams, or cheering on his wife and daughter in their road races. 

  • Montana Work Comp Bar, Chairman of the Rules Committee
  • Montana Governor’s Conference

  • Youth Basketball Coach
  • Youth Football Coach

  • JAS, Inc. v. Eisele
    382 Mont. 200 [367 P.3d 330] (2016)
    Background: Purchaser of real property at trustee’s sale sued to quiet title against various defendants, including Mortgage Electronic Registration System (MERS).
    Holding: The Supreme Court held that the failure to file an affidavit of mailing with the clerk and recorder under the Small Tract Financing Act (STFA) rendered the trustee’s sale void ab initio.
    For Appellees: Charles K. Smith, Poore, Roth & Robinson, PC, Butte, Montana.
  • Pilgeram v. Greenpoint
    373 Mont. 1 [313 P.3d 839] (2013)
    Background: Mortgagors sued mortgagees and their nominee, claiming lack of authority to foreclose.
    Holding: The Supreme Court ruled that the STFA did not allow a lender’s nominee to be the designated beneficiary in a trust indenture.
    For Appellee: Charles K. Smith, Poore, Roth & Robinson, P.C., Butte, Montana; Robert J. Pratte (argued), Brent R. Lindahl, Fulbright & Jaworski, L.L.P., Minneapolis, Minnesota.
  • Durham v. Bank of America, N.A.
    2014 MT 32N
    Background: Borrowers sought to prevent nonjudicial foreclosure after defaulting on a promissory note secured by a deed of trust.
    Holding: The Supreme Court affirmed that the original lender did not breach fiduciary duty and the trial court had jurisdiction to dismiss despite procedural issues.
    For Appellees: Charles K. Smith, Poore, Roth & Robinson, P.C., Butte, Montana; Danielle A.R. Coffman, Crowley Fleck PLLP, Kalispell, Montana.
  • Beehler v. Eastern Radiological Associates, P.C.
    367 Mont. 21 [289 P.3d 131] (2012)
    Background: Estate representatives sued a radiologist and hospital for medical malpractice.
    Holding: The Supreme Court held that the proffered expert was qualified to testify on standard of care and the likely cause of the patient’s death from spinal meningitis.
    For Appellees: Julie A. Lichte (argued), Kiely Keane, Christopher K. Olivereira, Crowley Fleck, PLLP, Bozeman, Montana; Robert C. Brown (argued), Charles K. Smith, Poore, Roth & Robinson, P.C., Butte, Montana.
  • Kerr v. St. Vincent Healthcare
    2015 WL 9595467 (D. Mont., Oct. 21, 2015)
    Background: Plaintiff alleged assault and battery by St. Vincent Healthcare.
    Holding: The court recommended granting summary judgment in favor of St. Vincent Healthcare and dismissing the claims.
    For Defendant: Charles K. Smith, Poore Roth & Robinson, Butte, MT.
  • Slate v. Bozeman Deaconess Health Services
    2015 WL 9918480 (Mont.Dist., Nov. 9, 2015)
    Background: Plaintiff sued Bozeman Deaconess Health Services after a jury verdict.
    Holding: Judgment was entered in favor of Bozeman Deaconess Health Services.
    For Defendant: Charles K. Smith, Esq., Butte, MT.
  • Allum v. Nevada
    2010 WL 5069604 (D. Mont., Dec. 6, 2010)
    Background: Plaintiff’s case against various defendants was dismissed.
    Holding: The court granted the defendant’s Motion to Dismiss.
    For Defendant: Charles K. Smith, Poore Roth & Robinson, Butte, MT.
  • Paatalo v. J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A.
    2012 WL 2505742 (D. Mont., June 28, 2012)
    Background: Plaintiff sued multiple defendants to prevent foreclosure.
    Holding: Summary judgment was granted for Chase, and other motions were denied.
    For Defendants: Charles K. Smith, Poore Roth & Robinson, Butte, MT.
  • Catherine Heffernan v. Safety National Casualty Corp.
    2017 MTWCC 18 (Mont.Work.Comp.Ct., Nov. 3, 2017)
    Background: Claimant appealed an order directing a medical examination.
    Holding: The order was affirmed in part and modified in part, requiring the IME provider to send the report directly to the claimant.
  • National Union Fire Ins. of Pittsburgh v. Benjamin Rainey
    2021 MTWCC 10 (Mont.Work.Comp.Ct., June 30, 2021)
    Background: An insurer appealed an order awarding interim benefits.
    Holding: The court affirmed the order awarding interim benefits, noting that a general release to work was insufficient grounds for terminating benefits.
  • Travelers Indemnity Co. v. James R. Lucas III
    2024 MTWCC 00308
    Background: Travelers appealed a Department of Labor and Industries’ order reinstating benefits.
    Holding: The court reversed the order, incorporating Minute Book Hearing No. 5054.

 

  • Independent Contractor Liability at MT’s Construction Expo.

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