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Litigation Team
John Vincent
 Life-long resident of Riverton, WY
Montana State University, B.A., 1971
Creighton University, J.D., 1974
Admitted in Wyoming, Nebraska, Shoshone & Arapahoe Tribal Court and federal courts
for the Districts of Wyoming and Nebraska and United States Tenth Circuit Court of
Appeals
Phi Alpha Delta
Executive Director of Montana Coal Council, 1976
Member of Riverton City Council, 1979 - 1982
Member of Wyoming Indian Affairs Council, 1993 - 1995
Board of Directors, Wyoming National Bank
Mayor of Riverton, WY, 2003 – present
Member of the Fremont County Bar Association:
Secretary - Treasurer 1979 – 1980
President 1980 - 1981
Member of the Nebraska State Bar Association
Member of the American Bar Association
Member of the Wind River Bar Association
Member of the American Judicature Society
Member of Wyoming Trial Lawyers Association:
Board of Directors, 1988 - 1994
Member of the Wyoming Bar Association:
Insurance and Endorsements Committee, 1989 – 1990
Civil Pattern Jury Instruction Committee, 1990 – 1998
Legislative and Law Reform Committee, 2001 & 2002
Faculty member of the Trial Lawyers College
AV rated in Martindale Hubbell Directory
Listed in Best Lawyers in America
Listed in Martindale Register of Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers
Listed in Mountain States Super Lawyers 2009
Raised in Riverton, Wyoming, John put himself through college and law school by
working in the oil fields and uranium mines near Riverton. Over Wyoming's boom and
bust years, John has become increasingly committed to obtaining just compensation for
workplace injuries and deaths. Indeed, John has devoted much of his career campaigning
for worker’s safety and rights in the courthouse and in the state legislature. His charisma
and drive both in and out of the courtroom ensure that his clients get the very best legal
representation and personal attention.
John is blessed with a terrific wife, Gretchen, and his three children, Aaron, Tom and
Ann. He has four grandchildren and many horses. When he is not enjoying time with his
family and grandchildren or working on a case, John can be found horse-back riding in
the mountains.
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Jessica Rutzick
Raised in St. Paul, MN
University of Wisconsin, Madison, B.S., 1992
University of Washington School of Law, J.D., 1996
Admitted in Wyoming, Idaho, Minnesota, Shoshone & Arapahoe Tribal Court and
federal courts for the Districts of Wyoming and United States Tenth Circuit Court of
Appeals
Town of Jackson Planning Commission, 2008 - 2009
Member of the Teton County Bar Association
Member of Wyoming Trial Lawyers Association:
Board of Directors, 2002 - 2009
Member of the Wyoming Bar Association:
Civil Pattern Jury Instruction Committee, 2006 – present
National Institute for Trial Advocacy's Trial College, 2002
Jackson Hole Leadership, 2008
Always adventurous, Jessica found her way to Wyoming after graduating from the
University of Washington School of Law in 1996 and has practiced here ever since.
Professionally, she has brought a countless number of cases to trial. No stranger to oral
argument, she has had much success in front of the Wyoming Supreme Court and the 10th
Circuit Court of Appeals. Her legal practice has evolved to one of solid, sophisticated
litigation in a variety of complex legal fields. Jessica lends thoughtful advice to her
business clients in "litigation avoidance" and helps them maintain proactive business
practices that lead them to success. Jessica's professionalism, efficiency, and belief in her
clients are complemented by her love of Wyoming and the outdoors.
Jessica is looking forward to sharing Wyoming and her passion for the outdoors,
mountain biking, and skiing with her little boy, Solomon.
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Aaron J. Vincent
 Raised in Riverton, WY
University of Wyoming, B.A., 2003
University of Wyoming College of Law, J.D., 2006
Member of Wyoming State Bar
Member of Fremont County Bar Association:
Treasurer, 2009
Board of Directors of Wind River Health Systems
Board of Directors of Riverton Community Health Center
Board of Directors of Wind River Advocacy
Law Clerk, Ninth Judicial District Court, 2006 - 2007
In 2007, Aaron joined his father's firm as an associate, carrying with him judicial
experience as Honorable Judge Norman Young's clerk. Aaron is ardent about his work
and representing his clients and their causes. To Aaron his clients are familiar faces and
first names, whether he is representing an individual, a family or a company. His skills in
research and legal writing, as well as his experience clerking, have contributed to his
effectiveness in court and his thorough grasp of case nuances.
Aaron lives in Riverton with his wife Jenny and his daughter Annie.
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Karen J. Mitchell
Raised in Riverton, WY
Central Wyoming College
Denver University, Certified Medical Assistant, 1978
Southern Career Institute, Legal Assistant/Paralegal, 1987
Member of Legal Assistants of Wyoming:
Secretary, 2001 – 2003
Member of National Association of Legal Investigators
Karen spent 10 years as a medical assistant before joining John Vincent as his legal
assistant in 1983. From initial investigation work to trial preparation, every step of a case
has Karen's touch, if not her whole hand print. Across Wyoming and the rest of the
West, she has brought a countless number of cases to trial in district, federal, and tribal
courts. Her knowledge of the law and the nuances of each case provide proficient case
management and effectual client and witness relations.
Karen and her husband, Mike, own the Two Cow Ranch, where she treats friends and
family to her gourmet cooking. They have three daughters and two grandchildren.
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Courtnee Wilhite
 Raised in Hershey, PA
Kutztown University, PA, B.A. 2003
Courtnee came to visit Jackson Hole the summer of 2003 and never left. Working as
Jessica's legal assistant and paralegal since she opened her own practice in 2004,
Courtnee has brought around 20 cases to trial or to the trial-ready phase. She has
finalized hundreds of briefs in district and federal courts, as well as in the 10th Circuit
Court of Appeals. As "keeper of the documents," Courtnee exercises extensive file
management in complex, document-intensive cases. She also excels in client and witness
relations, an integral part of her job as a legal assistant.
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Vanessa Flory
 Raised in Rutland, VT
St. Lawrence University, NY, B.A., 1999
Vanessa joined Jessica's staff as a legal assistant in 2008 with a sunny disposition and a
willingness to learn the ropes. Lending a hand to the management of documents, files,
and clients, she has since become an integral member of our litigation team. When not in
the office, you can find her on a mountain bike or skiing the steep Teton slopes.
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Carly J. Schrinar
 Raised in Laramie and Riverton, WY
Central Wyoming College, Criminal Justice, 2007
work experiences with the coroner’s office and as an administrative assistant in the oil
industry have provided Carly with distinctive knowledge that complements her role as a
legal assistant.
Carly lives just north of Riverton with her husband, Randy, and their little girl, Brooklyn.
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Videll Shadden
 Lifelong resident of Riverton, WY
Police Advisory Committee, Chairman
Excessive Force for City of Riverton, 2003 – present
Videll works as investigator of oil field, wrongful death, and all personal injury cases.
Additionally, Videll investigates citizen complaints of police brutality and abuse of
power.
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Gretchen Vincent
 Raised in Glasgow, MT
Gretchen has worked as the office manager for the Riverton location since 1995.
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