Joel Arends
Arends Law, P.C.
Joel Arends offers his clients substantive experience in a wide range of fields including personal injury, family law, estate planning/probate, real estate, government relations and public policy development.
Born and raised in Little Rock, Iowa, Joel Arends graduated from the University of South Dakota in 2000 and received his law degree from the University of South Dakota School of Law in 2006.
In 2022 the voters of Lincoln County re-elected Arends to serve a second four year term on the Lincoln County Commission in County Commission District 1. Arends ran on a platform of fiscal responsibility, economic growth, fidelity to taxpayers and creating partnerships with local, state, federal and private stakeholders.
Having worked at the highest levels of American campaigns and elections, Arends served as a campaign aide to former president George W. Bush and former presidential candidates Senator John McCain and Congresswoman Michelle Bachmann. Joel had the high honor and distinct privilege to personally endorse Donald Trump and his presidential campaign on the deck of the USS Iowa in September 2015.
Joel enlisted in the United States Army as a private in 1995 and has risen through ranks to achieve the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army Reserve. Arends served as an infantry platoon leader in Iraq with the Army's 1st Cavalry Division and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and Combat Infantryman's Badge for his service to the Army and our nation. He was recognized by Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld as one of the fifty heroes in the Global War on Terror and has been profiled in Investor's Business Daily.
Joel is married to his beautiful wife Robin and they have three children together Noah, Abigail and Zachary. Joel and his family are members of Holy Spirit Church and active in their community.
Joel Arends is licensed to practice law in both South Dakota and his native state of Iowa.
- Personal Injury
- Animal & Dog Bites, Brain Injury, Car Accidents, Construction Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents, Premises Liability, Truck Accidents, Wrongful Death
- Family Law
- Adoption, Child Custody, Child Support, Father's Rights, Guardianship & Conservatorship, Paternity, Prenups & Marital Agreements, Restraining Orders, Same Sex Family Law
- Divorce
- Collaborative Law, Contested Divorce, Military Divorce, Property Division, Same Sex Divorce, Spousal Support & Alimony, Uncontested Divorce
- Estate Planning
- Guardianship & Conservatorship Estate Administration, Health Care Directives, Trusts, Wills
- Gov & Administrative Law
- Administrative Law, Election Law, Government Contracts, Government Finance, Legislative & Government Affairs
- Business Law
- Business Contracts, Business Dissolution, Business Finance, Business Formation, Business Litigation, Franchising, Mergers & Acquisitions, Partnership & Shareholder Disputes
- Real Estate Law
- Commercial Real Estate, Condominiums, Easements, Eminent Domain, Homeowners Association, Land Use & Zoning, Mortgages, Neighbor Disputes, Residential Real Estate, Water Law
- Free Consultation
- Credit Cards Accepted
- Contingent Fees
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Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
Legal fee financing available.
- Iowa
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- South Dakota
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- District of South Dakota (Federal District Court)
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- Northern District Iowa (Federal District Court)
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- English: Spoken, Written
- County Commissioner
- Lincoln County Commission
- - Current
- Managing Partner
- Arends Law, P.C.
- - Current
- Lieutenant Colonel
- United States Army Reserve
- - Current
- United States Army Command and General Staff College
- (2014)
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- University of South Dakota School of Law
- J.D. (2006)
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- United States Army Infantry School
- (2003)
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- University of South Dakota
- B.A. (2000)
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- Order of St. Maurice Centurion Award
- National Infantry Association
- A nominee for the Order of Saint Maurice has served the Infantry community with distinction; demonstrated a significant contribution in support of the Infantry; and represents the highest standards of integrity, moral character, professional competence, and dedication to duty.
- President’s Pro Bono Service Award
- State Bar Association of South Dakota
- Each year the President of the State Bar of South Dakota presents an award to lawyers in the legal profession that have demonstrated commitment to providing volunteer legal services for the poor and disadvantaged. At this year’s annual convention in Pierre, on June 12, 2024, attorney Joel Arends was presented with the South Dakota Bar Association President’s Pro Bono Service Award for 2024.
- 50 Heroes in War on Terror
- Department of Defense (OSD)
- Bronze Star Medal
- United States Army
- Combat Infantryman Badge
- United States Army
- South Dakota State Bar
- Member
- Current
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- Fulfilling the promise of their sacrifice
- The Dakota Scout
- Obama Failing Military Voters
- Washington Times
- The Super Committee and the Dark Horse Regiment
- National Review Online
- Our Troops Don't Want a Gold Plated Military - Armor Will Suffice
- National Review Online
- Report from Iraq: Lessons and Results of the Surge
- Vets for Freedom
- Website
- Arends Law, P.C.
