Tipp Coburn Lockwood, P.C.

Tipp Coburn Lockwood, P.C. Lawyers Fighting for Montanans Since 1959 The law firm of Tipp Coburn Schandelson PC in Missoula, MT, has a storied heritage, and began in 1959.

Our founding partner, Ray Tipp, started his practice from a single homemade desk set on a staircase landing of a downtown Missoula office building. Shortly thereafter, he teamed up with Vernon Hoven, and the firm name changed to Tipp & Hoven and was located at 123 West Broadway in downtown Missoula. Vern stayed with the firm until shortly before his death in 1983. Over the years several other atto

rneys have been associated or partnered with the firm. The firm moved to its present location on the South Side of Missoula in 1972. Since that time, Tipp Coburn Schandelson PC has gradually grown to its present size of five full time attorneys, and our legal team has represented more than 7500 clients over the years. Even so, we strive to provide the same level of careful attention to the needs of our clients that we have from the beginning. In 2013 the Firm received the “Outstanding Law Firm” award from the Montana Innocence Project for our work with the wrongly convicted. Rich Buley came to the firm as a Legal Intern when he was still attending the University of Montana School of Law. Rich joined the firm as an Associate immediately after his graduation in 1981. Rich became a partner with the firm in 1985. Bryan Tipp joined the firm in 1994. Since that time, Tipp & Buley has gradually grown to its present size of six full time attorneys.

Myth: If your breath test came back at 0.16 or higher, an aggravated DUI conviction in Missoula is basically a done deal...
06/11/2026

Myth: If your breath test came back at 0.16 or higher, an aggravated DUI conviction in Missoula is basically a done deal.

Fact: Montana law does treat a BAC of 0.16 or more as a trigger for aggravated DUI under MCA § 61-8-1001, along with things like a prior DUI-related license suspension or refusing a test after a previous implied consent suspension. A first aggravated conviction can mean a $1,000 fine and 48 hours to a year in jail, and a fourth or later offense becomes a felony with 13 months to 5 years and fines up to $10,000.

Montana applies absolute liability, so the state does not have to prove what you were thinking, only the facts.

Call Tipp Coburn Lockwood P.C. at 406-506-0575 for a confidential case evaluation.

Fatigue behind the wheel of an 80,000-pound semi is often a federal violation hiding in plain sight.Commercial truck dri...
05/31/2026

Fatigue behind the wheel of an 80,000-pound semi is often a federal violation hiding in plain sight.

Commercial truck drivers are bound by strict federal Hours of Service rules: mandatory rest breaks, capped driving windows, and a required 30-minute break after 8 cumulative hours of driving.

Here's what most victims don't realize, the driver may not be the only one liable. The trucking company, shipper, or broker pressuring unrealistic delivery schedules can share responsibility.

If you or someone you love was hurt in a semi-truck crash near Missoula, the team at Tipp Coburn Lockwood P.C. can help you understand your options before critical evidence disappears. Call 406-506-0575 for a case evaluation.

Imagine this: you're driving down Reserve Street when another car runs a red light and slams into your side. You're shak...
05/21/2026

Imagine this: you're driving down Reserve Street when another car runs a red light and slams into your side. You're shaken, sore, and the other driver is already apologizing. A week later, their insurance adjuster calls with a quick settlement offer and a friendly request for a recorded statement.

Montana follows a comparative fault rule. If an insurer can shift even 51% of blame onto you, you get nothing. Adjusters know this. A casual apology or an off-the-cuff recorded statement can be used to inflate your share of fault. Early settlement offers also rarely account for future medical care, lost earning capacity, or injuries that worsen over time.

Call Tipp Coburn Lockwood P.C. in Missoula at 406-506-0575 for a free case evaluation.

🚗 Imagine this: You're riding in your friend's car in Missoula when another driver runs a red light and hits you. You're...
05/18/2026

🚗 Imagine this: You're riding in your friend's car in Missoula when another driver runs a red light and hits you. You're injured, facing medical bills, and wondering - can you even file a claim as a passenger?

The answer is yes. And passengers often have the strongest claims after a crash.

Why? Because you weren't driving. Here's where it gets interesting. You may be able to file a claim against the driver of your own vehicle - even if that person is a friend or family member. The claim goes against their insurance company, not your loved one personally.

If you were hurt as a passenger in a Missoula car accident, Tipp Coburn Lockwood P.C. can help you understand your options. Call 406-506-0575 for a consultation.

Sleeping Off Drinks in Your Car? Montana Law Might Surprise YouYou've done the responsible thing - or so you thought. Af...
05/11/2026

Sleeping Off Drinks in Your Car? Montana Law Might Surprise You

You've done the responsible thing - or so you thought. After an evening out in downtown Missoula, you decide against driving. Your plan? Rest in your vehicle until you're sober enough to head home safely.

Then come the blue and red lights. Suddenly you're facing criminal charges.

Montana's DUI statute extends beyond active driving. The law captures situations where an impaired person can set a vehicle in motion - regardless of whether movement ever occurs.

First-time offenders risk up to six months jail time and fines near $1,000. Subsequent charges bring increasingly severe penalties.

Arrested under these circumstances? Contact Tipp Coburn Lockwood P.C. at 406-506-0575.

Myth: You can only be charged with a DUI in Montana if you're actively driving.Fact: Montana law allows DUI charges if y...
05/04/2026

Myth: You can only be charged with a DUI in Montana if you're actively driving.

Fact: Montana law allows DUI charges if you're in "actual physical control" of a vehicle while impaired - even if you never turned the key.

This means sitting in the driver's seat of a parked car with keys nearby could lead to a DUI arrest in Missoula.

If you're facing DUI charges in Missoula - whether you were driving or not - understanding your defense options matters.

Tipp Coburn Lockwood P.C. can review your case and discuss potential strategies. Call 406-506-0575 for a consultation.

A DUI arrest in Missoula doesn't automatically mean a conviction.Montana law provides several avenues for challenging th...
04/27/2026

A DUI arrest in Missoula doesn't automatically mean a conviction.

Montana law provides several avenues for challenging these charges - and yes, dismissal is possible under the right circumstances.

Here's something worth understanding: When a breath or blood test shows a BAC of 0.08 or higher, Montana law creates what's called a "rebuttable inference" of intoxication. That word "rebuttable" matters. It means the inference can be challenged with contrary evidence.

If you're facing DUI charges in Missoula, Tipp Coburn Lockwood P.C. can review your situation and discuss potential defense options. Call 406-506-0575 for a consultation.

Getting charged with DUI in Montana isn't the same as being "convicted."What matters is whether the State can prove ever...
04/03/2026

Getting charged with DUI in Montana isn't the same as being "convicted."
What matters is whether the State can prove every step, cleanly and legally.

Practical move today: Create a quick memo while it's fresh, where you were, what you ate/drank, medications, times, who you were with, what you were told to do, and anything medical (anxiety, vertigo, injuries). Keep every citation and receipt.

Tipp Coburn Lockwood, P.C. has defended Montanans since 1959. Facing a DUI charge? Call 406-506-0575 for a free consultation.

The first 10 minutes after a crash can shape the next 10 months.Even a "minor" hit on Reserve or I-90 can turn into a fi...
04/01/2026

The first 10 minutes after a crash can shape the next 10 months.
Even a "minor" hit on Reserve or I-90 can turn into a fight over fault, injuries, and what really happened.

Imagine this... you're shaken up, cars are stopped, and everyone's talking at once.

If an insurer is pushing blame or a quick settlement, we can help you steady the process. Call Tipp Coburn Lockwood P.C. at 406-506-0575.

What's one item you keep in your glovebox for emergencies?

Refusing the chemical test in a Montana DUI stop can trigger a license suspension fast.Even if your criminal case is sti...
03/30/2026

Refusing the chemical test in a Montana DUI stop can trigger a license suspension fast.
Even if your criminal case is still weeks away.

In Missoula (and anywhere in Montana), "implied consent" means that by driving, or even being in actual physical control of a vehicle in a public-access area, you've already agreed to an official chemical test (breath, blood, or oral fluid) when an officer has a specific, articulable reason to suspect impairment.

If you're facing a DUI in Missoula and your license is on the line, call Tipp Coburn Lockwood P.C. at 406-506-0575 to talk through your options. 📞

Address

2200 Brooks Street
Missoula, MT
59801

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5:30pm
Friday 8:30am - 5:30pm

Telephone

+14065495186

Website

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