MEET OUR ATTORNEYS

Meet The Attorneys of Brown & Hiser LLC


Kermit C. Brown, Partner

Kermit C. Brown was raised in Casper, Wyoming. Kermit graduated from the University of Wyoming in 1965 with a degree in animal husbandry, and in 1966 with a degree in business administration. He spent four years in the Navy, attaining the rank of lieutenant before returning to the University of Wyoming. He graduated from the University of Wyoming College of Law in 1973. Kermit practiced law in Wheatland for two years and in Rawlins for seventeen years before moving his law practice to Laramie. Kermit was also the President of the Wyoming State Bar for the years 1994-95.

Kermit C. Brown | Laramie, WY | Brown & Hiser LLC

Kermit is the senior partner in Brown & Hiser LLC, where his practice is concentrated in business and agricultural law and estate planning. He has argued seventeen cases in the Wyoming Supreme Court, including Oroz v. Hayes cited in the Wyoming Governmental Claims Act, which struck down judicially created governmental immunity for political subdivisions in the State of Wyoming. Kermit also argued Riedel v. Anderson in the Wyoming Supreme Court, construing the nature and extent of federal and State jurisdiction over approximately 3.6 million acres of Wyoming state trust lands.



In addition to acting as an attorney, Kermit is a commercial pilot and was a flight instructor for many years. He is also currently serving his sixth term in the Wyoming House of Representatives from House District 14, where he is currently the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

William L. Hiser, Partner

William "Bill" L. Hiser is a lifelong Wyoming resident. Bill was born in Douglas, Wyoming, and was raised on his family ranch in Converse County. Bill graduated from Douglas High School in 1981 and attended Valley City State College in Valley City, North Dakota, on a football scholarship. After graduating from college as an outstanding Business Administration Student in 1985, Bill returned to Wyoming and attended the University of Wyoming College of Law in Laramie. Upon passing the bar in 1988, Bill joined Kermit Brown in Rawlins, where they practiced until 1998, when the firm relocated to Laramie.

William L. Hiser | Laramie, WY | Brown & Hiser LLC

Bill's practice is diverse, with experience in atypical litigation throughout the State. Bill also practices in areas of Agricultural Law including, but not limited to, real property acquisition, access issues, animal husbandry, oil & gas development, and water issues; Business Law, including entity formation, tax, and business planning, contracts and dissolution issues; Real Estate including, purchase and sale, financing, subdivision, development, zoning and construction disputes; and, Estate planning and administration.

 

Bill has always been active in the Wyoming Bar Association. He served on several committees and was a founding member and past President of the Young Lawyer's Section. Bill completed a three-year term as Bar Commissioner for the Second Judicial District in September 2007 and served as Vice President of the Wyoming Bar Association for 2007-08. Bill also served as President-Elect of the Wyoming Bar Association for the years 2008-09 and President for the years 2009-10.

 

Bill and his wife, Tracey, have three children together - two sons and one daughter.

Alan G. Harding, Partner

Alan G. Harding was born in Laramie, Wyoming, and has been a long-time resident of Laramie. Before starting his college education, Alan served in the United States Army as a Sergeant in an airborne psychological operations unit based out of Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Alan spent time on an overseas deployment to Bosnia-Herzegovina, Thailand, and South Korea before returning home to pursue his education.

Alan G. Harding | Laramie, WY | Brown & Hiser LLC

Alan studied at the University of Wyoming and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Business Economics in 2004 and a Juris Doctorate in 2008. Alan graduated with honors from the University of Wyoming College of Law, where he served as the third-year Marshall for Phi Alpha Delta law fraternity and co-authored a case note for the Wyoming Law Review.


After graduating from law school, Alan worked as an associate attorney for Aron & Hennig, LLP, in Laramie, Wyoming. During his tenure at Aron & Hennig, Alan enjoyed working with a broad range of clients in general practice, including local practice in Albany County, practice before the Wyoming Supreme Court, and practice in the Federal District Court for the State of Wyoming. Alan joined Brown & Hiser LLC in April 2014.


Notable Cases:

Oral Argument - Opportunity Knocks, LLC. V. Shannon Electric, Inc.,2010 WY 99, 236 P.3d255 (Wyo. 2010).

Publications:

Co-Author - UBI JUS IBI REMEDIUM--FOR THE VIOLATION OF EVERY RIGHT, THERE MUST BE A REMEDY: THE SUPREME COURT'S REFUSAL TO USE THE BIVENS REMEDY IN WILKIE v. ROBBINS, 8 Wyo. L. Rev. 193 (2008).

Galen Woelk, Partner

Galen Woelk is an experienced litigation and transactional attorney with a diverse and broad legal skill set to comprehensively assist and represent a vast clientele. Galen has appeared before judges across the region in Circuit and District Courts and has extensive client representation before the Wyoming Supreme Court and the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals. He was recognized for providing objective advice and guidance regarding merits and legal strategy to be deployed in any case or claim. He has exceptional oral and written advocacy and extensive experience with negotiation and non-litigation conflict resolution. He commenced private practice in Idaho and Northwest Wyoming in 1998 and has practiced in Southeast Wyoming since 2004.

Galen Woelk | Laramie, WY | Brown & Hiser LLC

Reported Cases: 

Wyoming Supreme Court – Erdelyi v. Lott, 2014 WY 48 (Wyo. 2014); Verheydt v. Verheydt, 2013 WY 25 (Wyo. 2013); Luftig v. State, 2010 WY 43 (Wyo. 2010); Opportunity Knocks Enterprises, LLC. v. Shannon Elec., Inc., 2010 WY 99 (Wyo. 2010); Newport Int’l Univ., Inc. v. State, Dep't of Educ., 2008 WY 72 (Wyo. 2008); Hubbard v. State, 2008 WY 12 (Wyo. 2008); Dowlin v. Dowlin, 2007 WY 114 (Wyo. 2007); Aspen Ridge Law Offices, P.C. v. Wyoming Dep't of Employment, 2006 WY 129 (Wyo. 2006); Brett v. State, 961 P.2d 385 (Wyo. 1998).


Idaho Supreme Court – Bach v. Bagley, 148 Idaho 784 (2010); Bach v. Miller, 144 Idaho 142, 158 P.3d 305 (2007)


United States Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit – Martinez v. Rocky Mountain Bank, 540 F. App'x 846 (10th Cir. 2013); Teton Millwork Sales v. Schlossberg, 311 F. App'x 145 (10th Cir. 2009); Deutsch v. Jordan, 618 F.3d 1093 (10th Cir. 2010); Buckardt v. Albertson's, Inc., 221 F. App'x 730 (10th Cir. 2007).

Practice Areas:

Administrative Law

Alternative Dispute Resolution

Mediation & Arbitration

Business

Civil Litigation

Criminal Law

Employment Law

Family Law

General Practice

Real Estate

Trials

Education:

Rutgers University (B.A., 1991); University of Wyoming (J.D., 1998)

Professional Associations:

B.V. Distinguished Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rated; Member, Wyoming Trial Lawyers Association. Admitted in Idaho, Wyoming state and federal courts, and Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Kelly M. Neville, Of Counsel

Kelly M. Neville serves as General Counsel, Senior Compliance Officer, and Risk Manager for Western States Bank, a community bank headquartered in Laramie, Wyoming, serving southeast Wyoming, northern Colorado, and western Nebraska. Formerly a partner with Brown & Hiser LLC, Kelly is currently of counsel with the firm with a practice focusing on business and estate planning. She is admitted to practice in Wyoming, Colorado, and Nebraska.

Kelly M. Neville | Laramie, WY | Brown & Hiser LLC

Kelly serves as the immediate Past President of the Wyoming State Bar and a member of the Wyoming Bar Editorial Committee. She has served as a commissioner of the Wyoming Bar, Chairman of the Wyoming State Bar Clients Security Fund Committee, President of the Young Lawyers Division of the Wyoming State Bar, and President of the Albany County Bar Association. She is active with the Laramie Rotary Club and serves as the World Community Service Chair coordinating international projects.



Kelly graduated cum laude from Tulane Law School in New Orleans with a focus on international law and oil and gas. Before attending law school, she worked in the consulting division of Arthur Anderson and as a foreign affairs analyst for the United States Senate Budget Committee. She also worked with the U.S. Treasury foreign office in Moscow, Russia, to establish a Russian consumer sentiment index in the late 1990s. Kelly graduated with honors from New Mexico State University with bachelor's degrees in international business and Russian and minors in international relations and Spanish. While at NMSU, she served as the student body president and was awarded the Truman Scholarship. Kelly grew up in Aztec, New Mexico.

Jeffery T. Van Fleet, PARTNER

Retired Law Enforcement and United States Marine


Jeffery "Jeff" Van Fleet has spent the bulk of his life in the Rocky Mountains. He utilizes his diverse background to provide quality legal representation with compassion. Jeff graduated from the University of Wyoming College of Law. Before law school, he spent nearly 18 years as a law enforcement officer in Colorado and served four years with the United States Marine Corps.

Jeffery T. Van Fleet | Laramie, WY | Brown & Hiser LLC

WHY AND HOW

"I recognize that as an attorney, I need to know more than what the law is; I must be aware of how the law affects the individuals I represent, physically, emotionally, and financially. I have learned the phrase "counselor at law" has more to do with counseling some days than it does with the law. I have learned that even the most rational of people can become overwhelmed when faced with a challenging legal issue. My job is to help you gain control of the situation through clear communication and accurate information. And, if the time comes, my job is to be your voice in the court, with opposing parties and with opposing counsel, to ensure your desires are heard."

Family Law

  • Amicable Divorce
  • Child Custody and Child Modification
  • Child Support
  • Complex and High Asset Divorce
  • Contested Divorce
  • Guardian ad litem (GAL)
  • International Family Matters
  • Mediation and Negotiation
  • Paternity
  • Prenuptial and Antenuptial Agreements

Real Estate

  • Sales Contracts
  • For Sale By Owner
  • Lease and Rental Agreement
  • Property Management Contracts
  • Land Development
  • Mortgage, Contract for Deed, and Promissory Notes

Court Appointed Matters

  • Neglect and Abuse
  • Juvenile
  • Criminal Defense
  • Guardian ad litem (GAL)
  • Mediation

Experienced Municipal Prosecutor

Criminal Defense

  • Expungement
  • Domestic Violence
  • Felony Assault and Battery
  • Felony Possession of Controlled Substance
  • Misdemeanor Assault and Battery
  • Misdemeanor Possession of Controlled Substance
  • Retention or Return of Firearms Rights

Business Representation

  • Formation
  • Contract Review and Disputes
  • On-going legal guidance
  • Wills
  • Trusts
  • Power of Attorney
  • Health Care Directive
  • Cancer and Terminal Illness Planning
  • Complex Litigation
  • Small Civil Litigation
  • Governmental Lawsuits against the City and County

Court Admissions 

  • Wyoming
  • Colorado
  • U.S. District of Wyoming
  • U.S. District of Colorado

Community Involvement

  • Current Member of Equal Justice Wyoming Foundation Board
  • Municipal Court Magistrate
  • Current Member of the Albany County Mental Health Board
  • Former Member of the City of Laramie Ad Hoc Police Committee
  • Former Member of the City of Ft Collins Human Rights Commission
  • Former Adjunct Law Professor - Legal Writing
  • Experienced Board Member for Governmental and Private Entities
  • Organized fundraisers in response to national and local natural disasters
  • Retired Law Enforcement
  • Former United States Marine

Jan Rerucha, Of Counsel

Jan Rerucha has extensive experience representing clients with business organization, estate and personal planning, probate and trust administration, and tax planning matters. Highly regarded for her estate planning practice, Jan regularly consults with regional law firms on complex estate and tax matters to render both sophisticated and practical solutions to meet client wealth preservation and transfer objectives. Her initial practice was as an associate and partner with Corthell & King, where she worked extensively with the late John King. Jan is widely recognized for her many community and pro bono activities.

Jan Rerucha | Laramie, WY | Brown & Hiser LLC

Practice Areas:

  • Business
  • Business & Corporate
  • Business Transition Planning
  • Elder Law
  • Estate & Personal Planning
  • Probate
  • Trusts
  • Wills

Education:

University of Wyoming College of Education, (B.A., Phi Kappa Phi, 1973); University of Wyoming College of Law (J.D., with honors, 1976) – Managing Editor, Land, and Water Law Review 1975 – 1976

Professional Associations:

  • AV Preeminent Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rated; Advisory Board for Salvation Army (since 1978); Wyoming State Bar Pro Bono Award Recipient

Mariah S. Downey, Attorney

Mariah S. Downey attended and graduated from the University of Wyoming College of Law where she specialized in the study of civil and criminal litigation. Mariah received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Wyoming. Mariah has a passion for criminal defense and strives to help people navigate through the criminal justice system. 



Mariah was recently admitted to the Wyoming Bar Association and is the newest Associate Attorney with Brown and Hiser LLC. Mariah enjoys working on a broad range of legal issues including; criminal defense, civil litigation, family law, real estate and business law. 

Mariah has spent all her life in the Mountain West. Originally from Northern Colorado, she has developed a passion for outdoor adventure. During the summer months, she can be found exploring Wyoming’s diverse mountain ranges. 

Jeffery T. Van Fleet | Laramie, WY | Brown & Hiser LLC

WHY AND HOW

“I understand that my career is more than knowledge of the law. While this is a bare minimum prerequisite to being an effective attorney, I am aware that the law has monumental impact on my clients. For this reason, I strive to understand my client’s position, their life circumstances, and to understand my client’s ultimate life goals. I wholeheartedly believe that my client’s voice deserves to be heard and understood in and out of the Courtroom. I strive to provide that voice for my clients.”

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