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Originally from Billings, Montana, Andrew Van Arsdale moved to San Diego, California to pursue a career in law to ensure people could access legal representation after being wronged by powerful corporations. Andrew earned his law degree from the University of San Diego in 2018 and is licensed to practice law in California, District of Columbia, Montana, and Nevada. For years Andrew has helped people struggling from negligence-related injuries seek maximal compensation from responsible parties, ensuring client satisfaction at all times.

Van Arsdale’s work pursuing justice for Scouting sexual abuse survivors through Abused in Scouting has been widely recognized by the media and featured on platforms including CNN, ABC News, NBC News, etc. He has extensive experience connecting sexual abuse survivors to the representation they deserve and handling abuse cases from a wide range of organizations including the Catholic Church, the Mormon Church, and the Boy Scouts of America.

Through Andrew Van Arsdale's leadership, AVA Law Group is on a mission to help Marine veterans and their families who were exposed to Toxic Water at Camp Lejeune. AVA Law Group's work has been recognized by Time Magazine, CNN, and Fox News. AVA Law Group is actively engaged in negotiations with Navy Jag in order to resolve individual client cases through the administrative claim form process.

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A Billings native, Teague received his law degree from the University of Montana School of Law in 2005. For nearly 15 years, he practiced criminal law as a public defender, prosecutor, and assistant municipal court judge. During this time, he honed his courtroom skills and authored several bills which strengthened Montana’s laws against domestic and sexual violence.

Teague transitioned his practice to civil law in 2020. His passion for helping others is now focused on fighting for justice on behalf of those who have suffered personal injury and wrongful death due to the negligence of others.

Attorney Teague Westrope brings to AVA Law Group his experience trying dozens of cases to Montana juries.

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Raised in Billings, Kasodie graduated from Skyview High school in 2011. She then spent 7 years in Missoula where she received both her undergraduate and law school degree from the University of Montana. Through and following Law School, Kasodie practiced family, dependent neglect and criminal law. During this time, she learned the importance of client communication and true advocacy for her clients.

Kasodie made the choice to transition her practice to mass torts and personal injury because she wanted to continue to be an elite advocate for her clients while being able to continue to learn and shape the laws that come.

“Justice will not be served until those who are unaffected are as outraged as those who are.”
— Benjamin Franklin

Attorney

BAR ADMISSIONS

Eric was raised in Great Falls, Montana and graduated from Charles M. Russell High School in 2002. Following graduation Eric attended Montana State University in Bozeman, earning a B.A. in political science and a B.S. in sociology. Eric attended the University of Iowa College of Law and while a student was writer and editor on the Iowa Law Review and graduated in the top 10% of his class. Following graduation from law school in 2010 Eric began practice as a civil litigator working for a large regional defense firm. After years in that practice, Eric transitioned to be an in-house attorney for an employment support corporation, managing the company’s litigation.

Eric Joined AVA Law Group to focus his practice on helping individuals who have suffered harm and loss due to the actions of others. Eric has a passion for justice and will use his varied experience to produce creative and effective solutions for his clients.

When Eric is not practicing law he enjoys taking advantage of Montana’s outdoor activities like hiking and camping, playing guitar and spending time with his wife and children.

Attorney

BAR ADMISSIONS

Sandra is a second career attorney and regulatory scientist chemist with 25+ years’ work experience in environmental laws and regulations. She has a chemistry degree from Georgetown University and was valedictorian of her evening law school class at North Carolina Central University.

Sandra started her career working under contract with the US EPA Offices of Water, Solid Waste, and Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances. Sandra left this work to open her own regulatory consulting firm where she helped her clients achieve US and global registrations of agricultural chemicals, as well as genetically engineered crops. Her industry clients included Bayer CropScience, BASF, DuPont, Rhone- Poulenc, Syngenta Biotechnology, Inc., and others. She also has worked as an employee of BASF in the roles of Regulatory Quality Manager, Regulatory Expert Team Lead and Regulatory Science Lab Manager.

After graduating from law school in 2020, Sandra worked in a small law firm with eleven other attorneys in Arizona. Her primary role there was to support civil rights, torts, medical malpractice, and child custody litigation. Sandra joins us from a general practice firm in Alaska and where she was responsible for all stages of litigation, primarily in family law, property dispute, and probate issues.

Sandra has a special interest in emerging chemical contaminates of food and water. She will be teaching a CLE this Fall to members of the Arizona and Alaska state bars on this topic. She has also authored and filed a Citizen’s Petition to the US FDA to set tolerances for PFSA residues in foods on behalf of other petitioners seeking FDA’s intervention on this pressing issue.

“Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.”
— William James

Attorney

Zoe Malters graduated from the University of Montana School of Law in 2024. During her time in law school, she was a member of the National Trial Competition Team, where she gained invaluable experience trying cases at the regional level. She also served as a volunteer mediator with the Community Dispute Resolution Center, focusing on Landlord-Tenant disputes. Throughout law school, Zoe worked at a firm specializing in Criminal Defense and Personal Injury, which deepened her passion for advocacy. In her final year, she interned with Montana Domestic Violence, where she provided legal representation to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.
Zoe was raised in Billings, Montana, and graduated from Billings West High. Afterward, she earned her B.A. in Hospitality Management from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Zoe returned to Montana to pursue her legal education and is committed to serving her community. She is passionate about advocating for justice and ensuring that every voice is heard.

Chief Financial Officer

Andrew was born and raised in Billings, where he currently lives with his wife and two daughters. Having lived for several years in Washington and North Carolina, the beauty of Montana brought his family back to this great State in early 2018. After graduating from Montana State University-Billings with his Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Andrew began his professional career as an Auditor with the public accounting firm KPMG. Over the past 18 years, he has worked for a variety of private companies as a CFO or Controller overseeing the accounting and financial health of businesses both big and small. He also holds his real estate license and is an owner of a business in the hospitality industry in downtown Billings. "Accounting is the language of business" - Warren Buffett.

Director of Administration

Austin was born and raised in Sacramento, CA and holds a degree in Healthcare Management. Prior to joining our firm, Austin served for 9 years in the United States Air Force as a medic, contributing his expertise across various hospital departments, including pediatrics and labor and delivery. He was as a shift leader for labor and delivery, a Clinic Manager for both the USAFA Family Health Clinic and Same Day Surgery department, and also was Medical Team Leader for NCAA football games. Outside of work, Austin cherishes time with his wife and five children, indulging in escape rooms and board games, reflecting his passion for teamwork and strategic thinking.

As an office manager at AVA Law Group, he finds great satisfaction in supporting his team to achieve success, ultimately enhancing AVA's ability to provide exceptional service to our clients.

Austin's multifaceted experience, ranging from his invaluable contributions to the United States Air Force to his dynamic leadership roles within healthcare settings, make him an exceptional asset to AVA Law Group. His commitment to excellence and his ability to inspire those around him are qualities that continue to drive his success, enriching both our team and the communities we serve.

Litigation Support Manager

Rachel began her legal career in her hometown of Havre, Montana, where she worked as a legal assistant and paralegal for several years throughout various practice areas. She moved to Billings in 2010 to further her education and graduated cum laude from Montana State University Billings with undergraduate degrees in Criminal Justice and Sociology. Through and following her education, Rachel worked at the Federal Defenders of Montana where she assisted in providing high quality, client centered and holistic representation to indigent defendants. It was here that she developed her passion for advocating for justice on behalf of the less fortunate. From there, Rachel worked as a paralegal for an insurance defense firm before transitioning into a leadership role where she managed the legal support staff for a large regional defense firm and eventually took over management of the training and development department for the firm. Rachel joined AVA Law Group because her passions align seamlessly with the firm’s mission to represent the people against the powerful. Outside the office, Rachel enjoys spending time with her husband and four children attending their various sporting events and activities, golfing and traveling.

Marketing Coordinator

Stephanie Painter moved to Montana in 2000, she raised both of her daughters and started her journey in healthcare here in Montana. An accomplished professional with a background primarily in healthcare,
practicing in all capacities available to a Pharmacy Technician. A few years ago, her history in the sign industry called again and she transitioned from healthcare into a role involving signage and graphic design, showcasing her adaptability and a willingness to explore new adventures.

Currently serving as the Marketing Coordinator at AVA Law Group, Stephanie takes pride in promoting a company dedicated to representing the people against powerful. She also finds much satisfaction in sponsoring local charities and schools. Her journey reflects a unique blend of expertise in healthcare and a newfound passion for marketing, all guided by a commitment to contribute to a mission-driven organization.