Committed to Helping Our Clients Succeed
Litigation & Appeals.
- Our Location
7 West 6th Avenue, Helena, Montana
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Professional and Experienced Litigators
About Cochenour Law
Matt and Mary offer full service legal representation from pre-litigation consultation, through discovery, trial and appeals. Practicing civil law on behalf of plaintiffs and defendants, they bring decades of experience to every case. Mary's practice is focused on trial work, having tried close to 50 jury trials across Montana. Matt is an experienced appellate lawyer with more than 90 appellate briefs filed in the Montana Supreme Court, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court.
Working together, Matt and Mary offer comprehensive legal services that blend trial-tested skill with appellate precision. Their collaborative approach ensures that every client receives tailored, thoughtful counsel—whether facing a civil dispute or seeking justice in the wake of a crime.
Decades of Experience
Trusted Advocacy
Matt Cochenour
Matt is a seasoned civil litigation and appellate attorney with a deep commitment to justice and strategic advocacy. As co-founder of Cochenour Law Office, PLLC, Matt brings over two decades of legal experience to every case, offering clients clear guidance, thoughtful counsel, and unwavering representation.
Matt’s legal career spans from Montana’s justice courts to the United States Supreme Court. He has authored more than 90 appellate briefs and argued before the Montana Supreme Court and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. His practice focuses on appellate litigation, complex constitutional and statutory issues, and strategic consulting across both state and federal courts.
Before launching Cochenour Law Office, Matt served as Montana’s Acting Solicitor General (2019–2021) and spent 13 years as an Assistant Attorney General. He later held the role of Senior Tax Counsel at the Montana Department of Revenue (2021–2023), gaining invaluable insight into government litigation and regulatory frameworks.
Matt earned his B.A. in English Literature from Montana State University and graduated with high honors from the University of Montana School of Law. He clerked for the Montana Supreme Court and is admitted to practice before all Montana state and federal courts, the Ninth and D.C. Circuit Courts of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court.
At Cochenour Law Office, Matt is known for his strategic judgment, precise legal writing, and ethical advocacy. Whether navigating a complex appeal or advising on litigation strategy, he is dedicated to protecting his clients’ rights and ensuring their voices are heard.
Matt is admitted to practice in state and federal courts in Montana, North Dakota Federal District Court, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court.
Mary Cochenour
Mary is an experienced attorney known for being willing to take cases to trial to get a fair and just outcome for her clients. As a former Deputy County Attorney and Assistant Attorney General, Mary has handled hundreds of cases and appeared in courtrooms in almost every judicial district across Montana. She’s lead complex, large-scale cases on insurance fraud, elder financial abuse, domestic violence, sexual assault, and homicide.
With close to 50 jury trials under her belt, she has tried cases before juries in Anaconda-Deer Lodge County, Cascade County, Choteau County, Lewis and Clark County, Liberty County, Missoula County, Madison County, Roosevelt County, Sweet Grass County, and Yellowstone County. Before Cochenour Law, Mary worked in environmental justice in civil practice, litigating for the protection of wildlife and clean water before federal district courts in Montana and Idaho, state and federal administrative boards, and Montana district courts.
Whether in civil litigation or as a contract criminal prosecuting attorney, Mary draws on her vast courtroom experience to work toward the best outcomes for her clients. She brings a trauma-informed, client-centered approach to each case, ensuring that her clients’ voices are heard and their rights protected. Mary’s advocacy is grounded in a deep understanding of Montana’s legal landscape and a commitment to ethical representation.
Mary is admitted to practice in the state courts of Montana and Nevada (inactive), the U.S. District Court of Montana, the U.S. District Court of Nevada, and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Professional And Experienced Litigators
Practice Areas and Services
Consultation and advice
Pre-trial and Trial
Appeals
Civil Litigation
Handling all aspects of litigation from initial pleadings, discovery, motions practice, and trial.
Criminal Prosecution
Bringing expert prosecution experience to cities, counties, and state agencies to help manage caseloads and conflicts
Mediation & Arbitration
Helping clients explore alternative resolutions to avoid the cost of trial.
Consultation and Legal Advice
Helping clients make sound, well-informed decisions before a legal dispute arises.
Experience
Matt and Mary work together to handle your case from its beginning stages, through trial and on appeal.
- Crime Victim Advocacy and Representation
- General Practice Law
- Federal Court Practice
- State Court Practice
- State and Federal Administrative Law
- Constitutional Law
- Election Law
- Environmental Law
- Contract Criminal Prosecution
- Full-Service City and County Attorney Support
- General Counsel to Nonprofits and Small Businesses
Trials
With more than 50 jury trials, countless bench trials, and contested hearings under our belts, we are prepared for any court battle.
Consultation
Need a second opinion or help preparing for trial? We help other attorneys prepare for court. Whether its serving on a moot, helping behind the scenes with briefing, witness prep and jury selection, or serving as co-counsel, we can help.
Appeals
We've brought and defended appeals at every level, including the Montana Supreme Court, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court.
Settlement & negotiations
Sometimes settling a case is in everyone's best interests. We make sure that your interests are fairly represented at all stages of settlement, including negotiations and mediation.
We Look At The Law Differently
Experience
Contact Information
Cochenour Law Office PLLC
-
7 West 6th Avenue, Suite 4F
PO Box 1914
Helena, MT 59624 - Number : +1(406) 422- 8716
- Email : mary@cochenourlawoffice.com
- Email : matt@cochenourlawoffice.com
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Trusted advocacy across Montana, from pretrial consultation through appeals.