Bellina, Nicole Marie

James R. Bell concentrates his practice in the areas of insurance law, business and commercial law and litigation, defense of personal and property damage injury claims, employment law, real estate, contract law, and zoning and planning law. Mr. Bell’s experience includes representation of clients before various state and local administrative commissions and boards as well as representing public entities. He also represents both appellants and appellees before the Wyoming Supreme Court and the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit.

Experience:

Following graduation from the University of Wyoming College of Law and admission to the Wyoming State Bar in 1977, Mr. Bell began his practice in Lusk, Wyoming, where he was engaged in private practice and was the part-time Niobrara County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney. In 1978, Mr. Bell moved to Casper, Wyoming and was a staff attorney for Legal Aid Services. In 1979 he joined the Casper City Attorney’s Office as Deputy City Attorney. In that position he gained extensive experience in all areas of municipal law. While there he advised the City Council and department heads on matters involving municipal operations. He was involved with municipal contracts concerning real estate, professional services, subdivision of property, construction of municipal projects, franchises and revenue bonds and was involved with matters concerning municipal water rights and transfer of the same.

In 1985, Mr. Bell joined Murane & Bostwick as an associate, becoming a partner in 1991. Since coming to the firm, Mr. Bell’s practice has included a broad range of areas, including commercial transactions, real estate, probate, wills and estates, bankruptcy, employment issues, environmental issues, insurance disputes and claims, personal injury and property damage claims and litigation in all of these areas. Mr. Bell has also acted as a special assistant attorney general for the state of Wyoming in insurance liquidation matters.

Mr. Bell has served as lead counsel in litigation involving such claims as insurance bad faith, toxic torts and claims under federal and state environmental laws, soft tissue injuries, employment termination and discrimination on the basis of race, gender, age and disability, repossession and foreclosure of property, creditor’s claims in bankruptcy, and breach of contract and warranties under the U.C.C.