Melsheimer Baughman Law, PLLC

With over 20 years of courtroom experience handling hundreds of cases, we have the knowledge and skill to provide the advice, strategy, and work product your case requires.

Man celebrating courtroom victory

Our Philosophy

“The main business of a lawyer is to take the romance, the mystery, the irony, the ambiguity out of everything he touches.”

-Antonin Scalia

At the end of the day, our primary goal at Melsheimer Baughman Law, PLLC is to make sure each of our clients walks out the door understanding their situation, their options, and how to evaluate which solution is best for them. As skilled as we are at advocacy, we have never had a client that was happy with an outcome they didn’t understand.

Our Team

Photo of Erin Melsheimer

Bar Admissions:

Montana

Texas

District of Montana

Eastern District of Texas

Practice Areas:

Family Law

Collaborative Law

CPS

Criminal Defense

Erin Melsheimer, Attorney

Erin Melsheimer brings her background as an experienced litigator to Melsheimer Baughman Law, PLLC. Her practice focuses mainly on highly contentious family law matters and criminal defense work. She is extremely comfortable in a courtroom, but understands all cases are different and strives to provide each client with a strategy that fits their unique goals. She is also certified in collaborative law.

Erin is a native Texan; she says “y’all” and “fixin’ to” and “hook’em.” She received her B.A. in American Studies from the University of Texas in Austin and her J.D. from Southern Methodist University’s Dedman School of Law. She began her career as a prosecutor in McLennan County, Texas (home of Chip and Joanna Gaines!) where she prosecuted all levels of state crimes. In 2011, she started her own practice, Law Office of Erin Melsheimer, PLLC, doing a combination of criminal defense, family law, and child protective services work as both an ad litem for parents and children. She also served as an Associate Judge of Collin County Probate Court #1 from 2017-2019 handling a variety of mental health matters. Erin became licensed in Montana in 2019, just before relocating here.

When Erin is not in the office, you can find her spending time with her husband, her son, and their French bulldog. She loves a margarita on a patio, a float down the Madison, exploring the mountains, and visiting friends and family in Texas often.

Photo of Kristofer Baughman

Bar Admissions:

Montana

California (inactive)

Practice Areas:

Family

Collaborative

Criminal Defense

Immigration

Kris Baughman, Attorney

Kristofer Baughman spent the first six years of his legal career as a district attorney for the San Bernardino County District Attorney, and the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney Offices, in California.   As a criminal prosecutor, Kris handled hundreds of cases involving DUIs, domestic violence, assault and battery, robbery, and murder.  In 2021, Kris decided to apply his extensive courtroom litigation experience to the private arena.  Kris feels at home in the courtroom, but recognizes the nuances in each individual case, and endeavors to provide each client with a unique approach tailored to their needs. He is also certified in collaborative law. 

Kris also comes from a family of Russian and Ukrainian immigrants.  In the early 20th Century, his maternal great grandparents fled Russia to escape the spreading Soviet stranglehold.   It comes as no surprise that Kris’ passion lies in helping immigrants navigate the complicated world of immigration law.

Kris earned his B.A. in History, with a minor in French Language, from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, and his J.D. from the University of San Francisco, School of Law.

When Kris is not in the office, he is more likely than not hanging out with his German Shepherd Dog, Titus.   As a musician, Kris enjoys playing the piano, mandolin, and guitar in his spare time.  In the winter he is usually skiing at Bridger or Big Sky, Nordic skiing in Sourdough, or snowshoeing around Hyalite. Kris also enjoys archery, hiking, fly-fishing, backpacking, and traveling.    

Photo of Ceri Cooper

Ceri Cooper, Paralegal

Email: ceri@bozeman.law

Practice Areas

Gavel over a wooden house

FAMILY LAW

Whether you find yourself contemplating a prenuptial agreement, pursuing an adoption, or considering divorce- or anything in between, we are here to help you with all your family law needs.

Group of people collaborating with laptops around a table

COLLABORATIVE LAW

Collaborative law is a unique dispute resolution technique used in family law matters that shifts the focus from winning to finding solutions. As a result, parties are better able to preserve co-parenting relationships, able to think outside of the box to develop solutions that are specific to their individual circumstances, and avoid the blood pressure spikes that come with traditional litigation. Each case has four professionals involved: two attorneys trained in collaborative law (one for each party), a mental health neutral, and a financial neutral.

Handcuffs and fingerprints

CRIMINAL DEFENSE

Nothing can rock your world as much as these three words, “You’re under arrest.” With experience as both prosecutors and defense attorneys, we are prepared to assist you with whatever trouble you find yourself in- from DUIs, to thefts, to assaults, to murder.

Immigration Visa

IMMIGRATION

At MB Law, we seek to deliver excellent immigration services and advice. Attempting to find one’s path through U.S. immigration laws and procedures can be overwhelming and difficult. If you have a family member seeking to come to the United States, or if you are trying to keep one here, we are here to help. Some of the services we offer are:

  • Naturalization
  • Family-Based Visas
  • Adjustment of Status and Green Card Renewals
  • Fiancé and Marriage-Based Visas (K1 and CR1)
  • Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
  • Uniting for Ukraine (U4U)

Contact Us

Address:
5 W Mendenhall St, Ste 202
Bozeman, MT 59715

Phone: (406) 220-5029

Email: info@bozeman.law

Hours:
Monday–Friday: 9:00AM–5:00PM

HOW CAN WE HELP?

CALL US TODAY TO SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION.

Life is complicated, but the court system doesn’t have to be. We would love to meet with you to discuss if we can help you and what that would look like in your case. Our initial consultations are typically one hour and conducted by phone or video conference.