Jenny M. Jourdonnais

Founding partner

Location: Missoula, Montana

Phone: 406-203-1730

The law is my first passion and second career.

In 2008 I left a decade long career in the financial services industry and a comfortable Vice President position at a national bank to pursue my lifelong dream of attending law school. As a mother of two teenagers and step-mother to four grown-ups, I entered law school as a very non-traditional student. While in law school, I argued in regional and national moot court competitions. I also established an externship in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Montana and briefed and argued a pro se appeal to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

After graduation from the University of Montana School of Law, I started practicing at Garlington, Lohn & Robinson, PLLP in Missoula, Montana. Ushering back to my past financial expertise and experience (not to mention my financial calculator), I crafted a banking and general commercial litigation practice. That solid foundation served as a launching pad for yet another new and non-traditional path. In 2014, I became a founding partner of Hansberry & Jourdonnais along with long-time Montana attorney and mentor Chuck Hansberry.

Chuck and I are driven by the desire to build a different kind of law firm. A law firm where clients come first, collaboration is heralded and alternative fee arrangements trump the tired tradition of billable hours. My practice areas include creditors’ rights, banking, finance, secured transactions, real estate and general commercial litigation.

My husband Craig and I are fortunate to call Missoula home. Our blended family includes three U.S. Marines (two veterans and one active duty), a high school honor student involved in music and competitive swimming, an engineer, a nurse, a fitness instructor and an adventurer involved in overseas private security. When not practicing law, I enjoy traditional Montana outdoor activities such as whitewater rafting, gardening, biking, hiking and even the occasional hunting trip. That non-traditional side of me competed in two open water long distance swimming competitions and my first half marathon to commemorate my big four zero birthday. I can’t wait for my next challenge.

Areas of Practice

Creditors’ rights
Banking
Finance
Secured transactions
Real Estate
General commercial litigation

Bar Admissions

Montana, 2011
U.S. District Court District of Montana, 2011
U.S. Bankruptcy Court Montana
U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit

Education

University of Montana School of Law, Missoula, Montana
J.D. – 2011
Montana State University, Bozeman, Montana
B.S. – 1998
Honors: With High Honors
Major: Business Administration
Major: Finance
Pacific Coast School of Banking, 2009-2010

Representative Clients

National Banks
Regional Banks
Credit Unions

Professional Associations and Memberships

American Bankruptcy Institute, Member, 2011 – Present
State Bar of Montana, Member, 2011 – Present

Past Employment Positions

Wells Fargo Bank, Vice President, 2006 – 2008
Big Sky Western Bank, Vice President, 2005 – 2006
Garlington, Lohn & Robinson, PLLP, Associate, 2011 – 2014
U.S. Bank, Assistant Vice President, 1998 – 2005
United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Montana, Extern