Tom Mahlen
Ross McLinden
partner, Halverson & Mahlen P.C.
general counsel, Avitus Group Although he practices law in Montana, Ross McLinden has become quite familiar with employment laws in many other states. McLinden is general counsel for Avitus Group, a Billings-based firm providing a variety of businessrelated services for clients throughout the country. Before McLinden arrived, Avitus Group relied on outside attorneys. The fact that he has gone to work full time for the company is one measure of how the company has grown since its founding in 1996. “I obviously can’t represent any companies in a state unless I’m licensed there, and I’m licensed in more than one state,” McLinden said. “For instance, we do quite a lot of business in California, which is a very litigious state. So, I work with a lot of outside counsel, and I need to know the law there in order to know how I want to proceed when they advise.” The company’s clients range from mom-andpop shops to businesses that employ hundreds of people. Avitus Group is a group of companies, including a professional employment organization. For its PEO clients, the company is listed as the employer of record, meaning that it handles services such as payroll, benefits administration and human resources. In such an arrangement, “Your employees now become our employees for certain aspects so that we can provide them with benefits. They’ll fall under our workers’ compensation, for instance so you don’t have to worry about that,” McLinden said. Avitus Group provides professional services for companies that might not be able to afford them on their own, McLinden said. “A lot of small businesses don’t need a full-time human resources department, and it’s expensive to bring one on. You can save money by coming with us, and when you need HR, we’re there for you,” he said. McLinden had a lot of experience in employment law when he worked at Moulton Bellingham PC, prior to moving to Avitus Group. “Now, as general counsel, you have to have your fingers in a variety of matters, whether its commercial, transactional, human resources or marketing,” he said. “We also have an accounting firm. I’m involved in that, although I’m not a tax attorney.” After a little more than a year at Avitus Group, McLinden is happy with the move. “Avitus Group is a great company,” he said. “They do a lot of good for small businesses all over the country. It’s been great for Billings. They treat their employees well and they’re very ethical.” 14
I February 2015
Portrait by JAMES WOODCOCK Ross McLinden is general counsel for Avitus Group,a Billings firm that provide employment-related services for businesses.
Age: 32 Family: Married, one child First paid job: Family lawn mowing business What I’m reading: “Titan: The Life of John D. Rockefeller, Sr.” Liked this movie: “The Shawshank Redemption” Biggest passion outside of work: Making lasting memories.
Describe how you got where you are in your work today: An inherent drive to work hard (whatever the task may be). What’s the biggest challenge you face in your job? Time management. There are only so many hours in a day. What’s the best business advice you have received? Own your mistakes and then learn from them. Who gave you that advice? I don’t recall, but it is often-repeated advice that is much easier said than done. Here’s what I’d like to do to improve my community: Get more people actively involved on nonprofit boards that they feel strongly about. Aside from profit and loss, how do you measure success in your job? How consistently the desired result is obtained, regardless of the task. Which living person do you most admire? My father What do you consider your greatest achievement? I am hopeful that it is yet to come. I’m happiest when I … see my baby daughter smile.
Tom Mahlen became interested in law at an early age. But that doesn’t mean his family tree is populated by former circuit judges or defense attorneys. “I did pretty well in school and was initially interested in medicine. But after I shadowed a surgeon, I knew right away that wasn’t for me,” said Mahlen, who is a partner in the Billings firm Halverson & Mahlen P.C. “I didn’t really know any attorneys, so it was a brand-new thing in my family,” Mahlen said. While he was still in high school, he and his mother began researching the legal profession to find out what it would take to pursue it as a career. “I love writing and I liked public speaking, so that turned out to be extremely important for my career as an attorney,” Mahlen said. He studied journalism at the University of Wisconsin Superior. The late Mike Simonson, a longtime reporter and news director for Wisconsin Public Radio, was a big influence. “Working in radio helped me learn how to write more concisely,” he said. During his time at the University of North Dakota School of Law, Mahlen did an internship with the Billings law firm Herndon Sweeney & Halverson. He returned after graduation and is now a partner in the firm. Describe how you got where you are in your work today: I grew up in Danbury, Wis., a rural town in northern Wisconsin. When I was old enough to walk, I started sweeping floors and doing odd jobs for mom and dad at their business, M&M Auto Service and Towing. I worked there during summers and after school (and on semester breaks from college) until I moved to North Dakota to attend law school in 2004. In any family business (much like a farm or ranch), you celebrate the good and bear the bad together as a family. When times are good, everyone benefits. When
Portrait by JAMES WOODCOCK Tom Mahlen, pictured with his son Tom Mahlen III, said his journalism studies during college helped prepare him for a career in law.
Age: 32 Family: Married, one child First paid job: Sweeping floors at my parents’ shop What I’m reading: Besides law books, the Bible. Liked this movie: “Despicable Me” and “Despicable Me 2” Biggest passion outside of work: Watching my son grow up
times are tough, you work without pay. I learned to work hard (whether someone was watching or not), and I performed any job that was given to me — no matter how menial or unimportant it may have seemed at the time. What’s the biggest challenge you face in your job? It is critically important to take time to enjoy life. My wife has been a wonderful resource for me, reminding me to take time once in a while away from the office. What’s the best business advice you have received? “You can do anything you want in life, as long as you’re willing to work for it.” Who gave you that advice? My parents. Here’s what I’d like to do to improve my community: I have a passion for helping children. While I am currently involved in programs that offer assistance in these areas, I would like to look at additional opportunities to advocate for children, whether within
or outside of the legal system. Aside from profit and loss, how do you measure success in your job? My favorite part of my job is advocacy. There is nothing that makes me happier in the practice of law than helping a client navigate what can be an intimidating legal system; providing assurance to them along the way; and standing up for their rights. Which living person do you most admire? My parents. They started with very little, built a business that will celebrate its 30th year in business next year, and somehow managed to send five kids to college. What do you consider your greatest achievement? I am proud of, but extremely grateful for, the business opportunities I have encountered. However, the single greatest moment of my life was seeing my son born. I’m happiest when I’m… Either outdoors with my wife and son, working on an old car, or covered in sawdust working on a construction project. Billingsbusiness