Knight Nicastro Adds Three Attorneys in Montana

Knight Nicastro expands their deep bench of skilled trial attorneys welcoming a former Senior General Attorney for BNSF Railway and a former Assistant United States Attorney. Adam Duerk join as a senior attorney and Benjamin Burns as an associate in the firm’s Missoula, Montana, office.

“Knight Nicastro is a leader in trial litigation,” said Chad Knight, member of Knight Nicastro. “Jim and Adam’s years of experience in litigation, particularly in handling numerous high-stakes jury trials, and their strong regional ties are an exciting addition as we grow in the Northwest.”

Attorney brings extensive experience in civil litigation, primarily railroad litigation and insurance defense, and substantial jury trial experience. He joins the firm from BNSF Railway Company where he served as Senior General Attorney and General Director, Claims, responsible for the investigation, management and resolution of casualty events. Additionally, he oversaw BNSF’s Casualty Litigation, including FELA, grade crossing and third-party claims. Attorney has served as the National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel’s (NARTC) Regional Vice President, is a member of its Executive Committee and a member of the NARTC Trial College.

He received his Juris Doctor from the University of Montana School of Law and an undergraduate degree from Montana State University.

Duerk is a practiced trial lawyer, having tried cases to verdict before juries in state and federal courts, for both plaintiffs and defendants. Prior to joining Knight Nicastro, Duerk served as an Assistant United States Attorney, a Special Assistant United States Attorney, and a Special Attorney to the United States Attorney General. During these appointments, he prosecuted complex environmental and criminal fraud cases, as well as defending civil actions brought against the U.S. under the Federal Tort Claims Act.

He received his Juris Doctor from the University of Montana School of Law, and his Bachelor of Art from Earlham College in Indiana.

Burns’ practice focuses on civil and commercial litigation, transportation law, torts, construction law, insurance defense and insurance coverage litigation. He has clients in a wide variety of complex legal matters and has tried multiple jury trials and bench trials to verdict. He received his Juris Doctor from the University of Miami School of Law and his Bachelor of Science from Montana State University.

About Knight Nicastro:

Knight Nicastro, LLC, is a national litigation firm with offices in Colorado, Montana and Missouri. The firm represents clients through all phases of litigation matters. For more information, visit www.knightnicastro.com.