Walker Lawyers

David was born into humble circumstances. His parents, who have been married for over 65 years, had 6 children. David put himself through college and law school. He never forgot about where he came from or the hard work it has taken to get where he is today. He cares deeply about the people that he has been honored to represent thoughout his nearly 30 years in the legal practice. Following graduation he was honored to serve as the Law Clerk to the Cheif Justice of the South Dakota Supreme Court. While clerking David...

South Dakota lawyer Matt Van Heuvelen is a partner in the business law section at Davenport Evans. Matt, who is licensed to practice in South Dakota and Iowa, focuses his practice on dynasty trusts and trust administration, business transactions, estate planning, probate, tax planning and fiduciary litigation. Clients he represents include individuals, families, trustees, bank trust departments, trust companies, financial advisors, businesses and charitable organizations. Matt is a member of American Bar Association, the State Bar of South Dakota, the Iowa State Bar Association and the Sioux Falls Estate Planning Council. While in law school at the University of Iowa,...

David R. Hansen grew up in a family of nine children. He grew up in the outdoors of New Mexico and Colorado. He completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Utah earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Physics. After working for a five years as a detention officer in Wyoming, he continued his formal education. He completed law school at the University of Wyoming College of Law. He focused his studies on estate planning, business transactions and intellectual property. At school David was the appointed student director of the Estate Planning Practicum; he was elected President of...

South Dakota lawyer Brendan Reilly joined Davenport, Evans, Hurwitz & Smith, LLP in 1998. Brendan’s practice encompasses a wide area but he works most frequently in general corporate law, from the formation of new legal entities to the merger or purchase of existing companies. Brendan also focuses on a variety of real estate and land use matters, and assists clients with matters related to health care, intellectual property, and general contract preparation and negotiation.

Brendan enhanced his practice and gained invaluable business experience as COO and General Counsel for a large national executive search firm prior to rejoining Davenport Evans as...

I have extensive experience in family law matters in both Minnesota and South Dakota where much of my career has been focused on Divorces, Custody, Protection Orders, and Child Support. As I moved to South Dakota in 2021, I began working with Tribal Courts and began working in criminal matters as well. I always want to help people in their times of need and in these areas, are some of the hardest times a person may have. I am here to help you navigate these times with a kind ear and legal expertise.

Kylie is a South Dakota native. She graduated from Drake University School of Business in 2002 and from the University of South Dakota School of Law in 2008. After serving as a Judicial Law Clerk for South Dakota's Fourth Judicial Circuit, Kylie began practicing as a divorce attorney at Viken Law Firm and then joined with Linda Lea M. Viken to form Viken & Riggins Law Firm. Kylie is now a family law attorney at Riggins Family Law, Prof. L.L.C.

She focuses her practice exclusively in the area of Domestic Relations Law and has established herself...

Mike Snyder is a litigation attorney at Davenport, Evans, Hurwitz & Smith, LLP in Sioux Falls, SD. Originally from Pierre, SD, Mike joined the firm in 2016 as a member of the firm’s litigation section. His practice focuses primarily on commercial and complex litigation and insurance litigation.

Mike interned with the firm in the summer of 2013 and is a 2014 graduate of the University of South Dakota School of Law, where he graduated first in his class and served as editor-in-chief of the South Dakota Law Review and as a research assistant to Professor Christine Hutton. Following graduation, Mike served...

Brooke Swier Schloss leads Swier Law Firm's Family Law Practice Group and focuses her practice on divorce, child custody, child support, elder law, spousal support, property division, pre- and post-marital planning, and adoptions. Brooke is also the author of the book 15 Tips for Choosing a South Dakota Divorce Lawyer and serves on the South Dakota Bar Association's Family Law Committee. Brooke is a graduate of the University of South Dakota School of Law, where she served on the Board of Editors for the South Dakota Law Review and was a published author. She is a member of the...

Kristi has been with Davenport Evans since 1995. Her practice is focused upon representing employers and insurers in all stages of workers’ compensation and employment matters. She regularly provides advice to clients on compensability issues and defenses involved with workers’ compensation claims before litigation is commenced, but also continues to assist them by defending litigated claims before the Department of Labor and on appeal. Employers also look to her for guidance and the aggressive defense of Title VII cases involving claims of harassment and discrimination, claims involving other laws that impact employers, such as the ADA and FMLA, as well...

Mark J. Welter was born and raised in Yankton, South Dakota; and Mark has lived in South Dakota his whole life. Mark earned a business degree at the University of South Dakota, and his law degree at the University of South Dakota School of Law. Mark then worked two years as a law clerk for John B. Jones, U.S. District Judge, District South Dakota, Southern Division. Mark then worked for 15 years as an insurance defense personal injury trial lawyer and worker’s compensation lawyer for Woods, Fuller, Schultz & Smith P.C. in Sioux Falls, defending clients against...

Daniel Brendtro grew up in rural South Dakota on his family's farm that produced purebred hogs. During his law education Daniel received many honors and was at the top of his class. Since his education he has focused his legal career on commercial and general civil cases. Dan resides in Sioux Falls with his wife Jennifer, where they have three children and an assortment of animal life including the loving family dog. Dan is a committed fan to Hoyas Basketball and participates in many activities including carpentry, running, hiking, reading, managing his fantasy football team, coaching, and playing cards. Dan also...

Don McCarty is a native of Wakonda, SD and received his juris doctor from the University of South Dakota (USD) in 1996. He joined the firm shortly after graduation and became a partner in 2001. Don’s general practice includes criminal law, family law and divorce, personal injury, worker’s compensation, business law and Social Security Disability. Don serves as a member of the South Dakota Army National Guard. He and his wife, Ann, have a daughter and son.

A native of Burke, South Dakota, Tiffany joined the firm in 2007. Her practice focuses primarily on banking and financial services law with an emphasis on bank regulatory compliance. Tiffany advises clients with regard to matters involving various state and federal banking laws, including the Truth-in-Lending Act (TILA), Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA), Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA), Bank Secrecy Act (BSA), Electronic Fund Transfer Act (EFTA), Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), UDAAP, E-SIGN, and their implementing regulations. Tiffany also regularly assists financial institution clients in the drafting of consumer disclosures...

South Dakota lawyer David Rezac is a member of the Davenport, Evans, Hurwitz & Smith Transactions and General Business practice group, and his practice covers all aspects of business transactions, as well as federal and state trademark registrations. David advises clients in both large and small business transactions, and his expertise covers entity formation, leasing and financing arrangements, real estate sales, mergers, acquisitions, and general contract preparation and negotiation. David also has extensive experience in obtaining federal and state trademark registrations and can assist clients in determining the advantages of registration, as well as completing the registration process.

David joined...

Scott Abdallah is the managing partner of Johnson Janklow Abdallah, LLP. His practice is focused almost exclusively in the area of trial work and civil litigation, including business litigation, personal injury, wrongful death and products liability. Scott has been recognized extensively for his litigation skills. He is one of only five South Dakota attorneys who are members of the National Association of Distinguished Counsel, which recognizes only the top 1% of practicing attorneys in the United States. He has been continuously selected for inclusion in the national publication, The Best Lawyers in America, and is one of only fifteen...

I have over 30 years experience helping people with difficult problems. I am a former public defender and later a prosecutor. I have had numerous jury trials. My experience enables me to help you in cases from personal injury/automobile accidents to criminal and DUI defense as well as family law. My family law practice includes divorce, custody, child support, adoption, guardianship and conservatorship matters. I also handle bankruptcy cases for people looking for a new start financially.

Reece Almond is a partner and litigation attorney at Davenport Evans with a practice consisting primarily of commercial and complex litigation, land-use litigation, and insurance-defense litigation. Originally from Huron, South Dakota, Reece joined the firm in 2014 having received his bachelor of science degree from the University of South Dakota in mathematics and political science. He is a graduate from the University of Minnesota Law School and clerked for the Honorable Karen E. Schreier of the U.S. District Court of South Dakota before joining Davenport Evans.

Reece was selected to the Great Plains Rising Stars 2019 in the area of Business...

David L. Ganje is a commercial law and commercial litigation attorney and also maintains a natural resources practice. He has grounded his legal experience as a practicing attorney, a former commodity arbitrator, a member of the board of directors of an S&L and an adjunct professor to hone his skills in these areas of practice. Born and raised in Aberdeen, South Dakota, David handles matters related to mineral law, oil and gas law, energy law and water law in his natural resources practice. The practice includes representation before local and federal regulatory bodies. In his commercial law and commercial litigation practice, David...

Rebecca Wilson founded Wilson Legal Planning after practicing in the field of estate planning and elder law for 18 years. Rebecca’s practice throughout her career has been focused on estate planning, elder law, probate and trust administration. She enjoys working with her clients to help them understand their options and choose the best fit for their family. Rebecca received her undergraduate degree in psychology from Yale University with distinction. She graduated cum laude from the University of Minnesota Law School. Rebecca is a member of the National Association of Elder Law Attorneys, the Sioux...

Aaron Pilcher focuses his practice on corporate law, estate planning and administration, and general litigation. Aaron appreciates the opportunity to work alongside his clients to protect their life's work, and plan for what lies ahead.

Robert E. Hayes is a Financial Services lawyer at Davenport, Evans, Hurwitz & Smith, LLP in Sioux Falls, SD. Bob has long been recognized for his expertise in the field of creditors rights law, a fact reflected not only by his having served for years on the State Bar’s Debtor Creditor Committee but accumulating nearly a decade as chair of that committee. Bob has received an AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rating by Martindale-Hubbell®, for the highest level of professional excellence for their legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards. He was also selected by Best Lawyers® in the areas of...

Ellery Grey is a Board Certified Criminal Attorney who has devoted his practice to protecting the rights of the accused. Mr. Grey practices in both federal and state court where he has defended clients on charges from drug possession to murder.

Keith Gauer is a Financial Services lawyer at Davenport, Evans, Hurwitz & Smith, LLP in Sioux Falls, SD. His practice is focused on the representation of banks and companies involved in the development, marketing, and distribution of financial services. He regularly counsels banks with respect to the negotiation and drafting of agreements related to national financial products, including contracts relating to credit card products, prepaid cards, student loans, and other national products. While representing payment card issuers, Keith also regularly works on agreements to document the transfer of card portfolios between institutions. In connection with payment card programs, Keith has...

Ross grew up in Sioux Center, Iowa. He earned his undergraduate degree at Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, graduating in 2003 with majors in psychology and government. As a law student at the University of South Dakota School of Law, Ross served as an editor for the Great Plains Natural Resources Journal. Ross graduated among the top 10 students in his law school class in May, 2006. Ross has a diverse and growing practice, including business and real estate transactions, business formations, estate planning, probate, general civil litigation, and municipal law. He is presently the City...

South Dakota lawyer Mitch Peterson is a partner focused on commercial litigation. As such, he assists both large and small clients, as well as individuals, with claims arising out of commercial transactions. He also does a significant amount of general litigation work for both companies and individuals.

This work includes litigation, trials, arbitration, and appellate work in the following areas: conditional use permits and variances, confidential information, construction, contracts, copyright, corporate/ownership, estate/probate, land use, non-competition and non-solicitation, non-disclosure agreements, product liability, professional services/negligence (legal, architectural, engineering, accounting, software development, financial services), real estate, sales of businesses, sales of goods, technology/software,...

Mark Ekse - Registered Patent Attorney and Member of the State Bar of South Dakota. Mark’s practice focus includes licensing, trademark and copyright law. He also represents clients involved in patent disputes, infringement cases and intellectual property cases. Mark represents clients needing legal guidance with registering and protecting software and computer technology, electronic commerce and digital enterprise, as well as trade secret protection and disputes. Mark is registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Mark currently serves as an adjunct professor of Patent Law and Intellectual Property at the University of South Dakota. He received his undergraduate...

Stephen Demik specializes in complex civil and criminal litigation, and trials of all types. He is an experienced trial attorney, practicing in state and federal courts for nearly 15 years. He speaks Spanish proficiently. A graduate of University of California, Hastings College of the Law and a faculty teacher at the Trial Lawyers College, Stephen Demik has a wide background in many areas– from civil plaintiffs work to criminal defense, from tribal court to immigration law, from juvenile court to Guantanamo Bay. For over 14 years, he has tried cases in both state and federal court, in both South Dakota and...

Russ Janklow specializes in personal injury and civil litigation, wherein he has tried over 100 jury trials in South Dakota, including several appearances before the South Dakota Supreme Court. Russ has been distinguished as one of the top personal injury trial attorneys in South Dakota and has repeatedly been acknowledged by his peers for his personal approach, diverse skills and his outstanding accomplishments. A tenacious litigator, Russ is recognized annually by Best Lawyers in America, a recognition he’s received since 2010. He was also awarded the “2014 Lawyer of the Year” in Sioux Falls for plaintiffs’ personal injury litigation, an...