Robert E. Hendrickson (1918-2020)
Robert E. Hendrickson (1918-2020) obtained his J.D. in 1942 and A.B. in 1940, both from Washburn University of Topeka, Kansas. He was admitted to the Kansas bar in 1942, the Montana bar in 1948, the U.S. Tax Court and U.S. District Court in 1957, and the U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit, in 1960. He was a member of the State Committee of Uniform Probate Code in 1970-1971, and in 1972-1973 served as president of the Yellowstone Valley Estate Planning Council. In 1976, Mr. Hendrickson was president of the Yellowstone County Bar Association and was a member of the Montana State Board of Trustees for the State Bar of Montana, from 1975-1977. He is also a Fellow in the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel and is a Lt. Col., USAFR, Ret. His practice areas are Real Property Law, Estate Planning Law, and Probate Law.
Daniel Ball
Principal, Daniel Ball, obtained his J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School, where he was a Dean’s Merit Scholarship recipient.
Daniel is a native of Evanston, Wyoming. Daniel graduated high school in Evanston and participated in the Wyoming-Montana All-Star basketball game series in 2000. Daniel had a standout basketball career for the University of Great Falls and Lewis-Clark State College and was a two-time Academic All-American. The skills and traits that were instilled in him as part of his background in competitive athletics serves him well in the contentious legal fields of family law and criminal defense.
He received his B.A. in History, summa cum laude, from the University of Great Falls in 2005. Daniel then attended the University Michigan Law School in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The University of Michigan Law school is one of the most prestigious law schools in the country and Daniel was fortunate to experience the opportunities that UM afforded him. Daniel was admitted to the Missouri bar in 2009. Prior to joining Hendrickson Law Firm, P.C. in 2011, Daniel practiced criminal defense in Missouri while his wife, Afton, attended law school at Washington University in St. Louis. Daniel represented clients in serious felony cases in Missouri.
Daniel’s wife is from Reed Point, Montana. Daniel and Afton returned to Montana in 2011 and Daniel joined Hendrickson Law Firm. Daniel was admitted to the Montana bar and U.S. District Court, District of Montana, in 2011. He has practiced at Hendrickson Law Firm since 2011.
Daniel has developed a well-regarded practice focused on family law and criminal defense since joining Hendrickson Law Firm. He has represented many clients in divorce and parenting cases with excellent results for his clients. He specializes in dissolution cases and high-conflict parenting plan cases. Daniel has successfully represented clients in serious felony and misdemeanor criminal matters at jury trials and in obtaining dismissals without proceeding to trial. He currently serves as a federal criminal defense attorney the Criminal Justice Act Panel (CJA) for the District of Montana and he is a Board member for the Montana Federal Defenders. Daniel has represented clients in family law and civil cases at the Montana Supreme Court. He has appeared at the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in Portland, Oregon as part of a criminal appellate matter that was decided in his favor.
Daniel and his wife have six children and are involved their children’s sports and activities.
Jeff A. Turner
Principal, Jeff A. Turner obtained his J.D. from the University of Montana in 1998, and his B.S., with high honors, in Business Administration, with an emphasis on Marketing from the University of Montana in 1995, where he was also named the Outstanding Senior in Marketing. Jeff was admitted to the Montana bar in 1998 and the U.S. District Court, District of Montana in 2000. After graduation from law school, Jeff worked as a Law Clerk for the Hon. Susan P. Watters of the 13th Judicial District Court. Jeff was named to the Billings Gazette Forty under Forty for 2011. Before joining Hendrickson Law Firm, Jeff was a partner in the law firm of Towe, Ball, Mackey, Sommerfeld, and Turner, P.L.L.P, for thirteen years. His community service includes being a member of the Breakfast Exchange Club, which raises money to combat child abuse and to assist veterans.
Jeff’s practice areas include General Civil Litigation, Accident and Personal Injury, Business Litigation, Family Law, Divorce, Parenting Plans, Grandparent and Third Party Parenting and Visitation Rights, Child Support, Adoption, Real Estate and Property Law, Construction Law, Commercial Law, Wills and Probate of Estates.
Justin Stark
Justin Stark was born and raised in Billings, Montana. Stark graduated from Lewis & Clark College and the University of Montana School of Law, where he was Editor in Chief of the Montana Law Review. Stark was a Law Clerk to The Honorable Jack D. Shanstrom, Chief Judge, U.S. District Court, District of Montana. Stark is admitted to practice in Montana, Oregon, and Washington. Stark practices in the areas of Business Law, Construction Law, and Litigation.
Benjamin LaBeau
Ben obtained his J.D. from the University of Montana in 1994, and his B.S., with high honors, in Finance and Economics from the University of Montana in 1990. Ben was admitted to the Montana bar in 1994 and was admitted to practice before the Ninth Circuit in 1998. After graduating from law school, Ben worked with Bruce Harper at Harper Law Firm, and then Robert Stephens at the Southside Law Center. Ben then began a solo practice, creating LaBeau Law Firm which he ran for 23 years. His community service includes being a youth sports coach for many years in soccer, baseball, and basketball; as well as creating and running THE DWAN EDWARDS ELITE FOOTBALL CAMP, a free youth football camp attended by professional and high-level football players and coaches, for many years in Billings.
Ben’s practice areas include Civil Litigation, Real Estate and Property Law, Accident and Personal Injury, Criminal Defense, Business, Family Law, Divorce, and Parenting Plans. Ben has tried and won cases in state and federal court.
David Garfield
David is a native of Circle, Montana, where he grew up on a farm and ranch. David received a bachelor’s degree from Montana State University, and then his J.D. from the University of Montana School of Law in 2012. David is licensed to practice law in Montana. Following law school, he worked as a law clerk for the Hon. Richard A. Simonton in Montana’s 7th Judicial District.
David comes to Hendrickson Law Firm with a mix of civil practice experience and trial work. Civil practice experience includes litigation and transactional work in real estate, probate, and business fields, along with general civil litigation. David considers work for the clients in these fields to be especially rewarding, and strongly believes in clear communication and effective use of time and resources to accomplish clients’ goals.
Years of criminal defense work, mostly involving felonies and major crimes, give David a weight of experience in complex cases and high‑stakes litigation. Achievements include an acquittal on a deliberate homicide charge following a six‑day trial, where the jury returned with a verdict of “not guilty” convinced that the defendant had acted in self‑defense. Effective communication with the client, strategic thinking in the long‑term, and teamwork made this outcome happen, and David continues to carry this outlook with him in his practice.
Mark E. Noennig (1947-2023)
Mark E. Noennig (1947-2023), obtained his J.D. with honors from the University of Montana in 1978. Mark was admitted to the Montana bar and U.S. District Court, District of Montana, in 1978, and the U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit, in 1991. He received his B.S. degree with distinction in Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering from Montana State University in 1970 and was a designs engineer for Chevron Oil Company from 1970 to 1973. Currently, he serves on the panel of commercial arbitrators for the American Arbitration Association. Mark served as a member of the Montana House of Representatives from 1999 to 2006, and was Chairman of the House Local Government Committee from 2001 to 2006. His community service includes the Yellowstone County Family Drug Court Steering Committee, the Montana Supreme Court’s Court Assessment Program Advisory Committee (child abuse and neglect), and past board member and president of the Family Tree Center (child abuse prevention). He was appointed by the Governor to the Montana State Banking Board and subsequently to the Montana Board of Investments from 2011 to 2020, where he served as the Governor-appointed chairman and as vice-chairman. Mark also served on the City of Billings Board of Adjustments (zoning variances), currently as chairman.
Mark’s practice areas include Commercial Law, Real Estate Law, Mortgage Law, and Civil Litigation. Sample reported cases are F.D.I.C v. Shoop, 2 F.3d 948 (9th Cir. 1993) (one action rule prevents suit on second note before first lien is foreclosed) and Midfirst Bank, State Sav. Bank v. Ranieri, 257 Mont. 312, 848 P.2d 1046 (1993) (deficiency allowed upon foreclosure of Trust Indenture for rental property – no election of remedies bar when changing to judicial foreclosure). Author of “The De Facto Corporation Doctrine in Montana,” 39 Mont. Law Review 305.
Kelly J. Varnes (of counsel)
Kelly J. Varnes (of counsel), obtained his J.D. from the University of Montana in 1983, and his B.A. in Political Science from Gonzaga University in 1980. Kelly was admitted to the Montana bar and U.S. District Court, District of Montana, in 1983, and U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit, in 1987. He is a member of the panel of Federal Defenders for the State of Montana. In 2012, Kelly was awarded The John Adams Award for extraordinary service as a member of the Montana Criminal Justice Act panel. Kelly’s practice areas include Criminal Law, Civil Litigation, Commercial Law, Accident and Personal Injury, and Divorce and Family Law.
