Shannon County Lawyers

Terry Prendergast is a South Dakota trusts and estates and trust company attorney at Davenport, Evans, Hurwitz & Smith, LLP. Terry joined the firm in 2017 with a prestigious career of nearly 40 years practicing law in Sioux Falls. Interacting with counsel and clients across the country and the world, Terry extols the virtues of South Dakota’s top-in-the-nation trust laws, flexible procedures and low tax environment, stating, “To open up people’s eyes to one of the best kept secrets in business—that South Dakota has a flexible, advantageous and responsive environment for business, estate and wealth planning, gives me great satisfaction.”

Terry’s...

Born in South Dakota and raised in NW Iowa, I sought higher education back in South Dakota at SDSU. Following graduation there, I worked for a construction and land development company in the MetroWest area of Boston, MA for 3 years, then returned and obtained a law degree from USD. After a judicial clerkship for the Honorable John B. Jones in the US District Court for the District of South Dakota, I have been in private practice of law in Sioux Falls. My practice involves representing people and companies throughout the region in state and federal courts plus administrative hearings...

Lindsay M. Harris is the owner and managing member of Harris Law & Co. She leads our succession planners in protecting every family and business we serve using forward-thinking solutions derived from exceptional experience. Whether it is creating wills, revocable trusts, irrevocable trusts, charitable trusts, or advanced business plans such as family limited partnerships, limited liability companies, or corporations, Lindsay’s passion is to ensure that every family and business is protected when life changing events occur. Lindsay has seen first-hand the legal challenges businesses face. From family farms, professional practices, to small and large companies, Lindsay is a...

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...

Michael Fort provides aggressive and experienced representation in divorce, custody, alimony, criminal and personal injury cases. Prior to becoming an attorney, Michael Fort clerked for the 21st Judicial District's Circuit Court Judges Office. After graduating in the top ten percent of his law school class, Michael was invited to work as an associate attorney at the law firm of Schell, Binkley and Davies. After successfully litigating hundreds of cases, Michael Fort accepted a partnership at Schell and Davies.

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...

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...

There are quite a few people that find themselves struggling through the heartbreak of a personal injury. If you have recently found yourself to be one of them, then you need to make sure that you bring your situation the attentive understanding and care that is so necessary. With more than 25 years of experience, the team at the Even Law Firm will be able to bring your case the attentive understanding and care that is desired. Here, your case will be expounded by the intensive understanding of a legal professional, one who works hard to bring your situation a...

Joseph M. Wiltse is one of 650+ attorneys at Ballard Spahr LLP, where he focuses his law practice in the areas of corporate law, real estate law, commercial law, securities law, and mergers and acquisitions. He represents clients in activities such as acquisitions and dispositions of businesses, mergers, entity formation, private securities offerings, financing transactions, and real estate acquisitions and dispositions. Joseph was born and raised in Lisbon, North Dakota. Joseph received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Communication Studies from the University of Sioux Falls in 2010 and his Juris Doctorate, with honors, from the University of...

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.

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...

Eric began his journey to the legal field by working as a life insurance agent prior to returning to college. While working with a family that was struggling financially, he learned just how important proper planning is for all families, not just wealthy families. He learned that day of the unexpected death of this family’s teenage daughter. He saw how much their entire family went through because they were not prepared for such a horrific situation. It was that day and that story that made Eric realize that he wanted to help make sure that families didn’t have to go...

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...

Doug Hajek is a business and financial institutions attorney at Davenport, Evans, Hurwitz & Smith, LLP in Sioux Falls, SD. A Tyndall, SD native, Doug didn’t enter the practice of law on the usual path. After graduating from college in 1972, Doug began a 10-year career in banking — first, as a commercial lender with US Bank in Rapid City, then in Minneapolis managing the company’s system-wide commercial loan participation pool, and finally, managing Western Bank’s mortgage banking operation in Sioux Falls. Doug entered law school in 1982 and graduated in 1985, with a practice in corporate law, public finance,...

Charles Gullickson is a Financial Services lawyer at Davenport, Evans, Hurwitz & Smith, LLP in Sioux Falls, SD. Financial and insurance regulatory matters make up a substantial portion of Chuck’s practice. He devotes a significant amount of time to such banking law matters as lending transactions, loan documentation, bank acquisitions and branching, and Chuck advises banking clients regularly on regulatory matters and oversight of third party vendors and servicers, and credit card lending and securitizations. Chuck also handles various insurance regulatory matters and serves as Executive Director and General Counsel for the South Dakota Life & Health Insurance Guaranty Association....

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.

Joel Rische is a litigation attorney at Davenport, Evans, Hurwitz & Smith, LLP in Sioux Falls, SD. Joel joined the firm in 2015 and is originally from Wessington Springs, South Dakota. He earned a bachelor of science degree in Contemporary Media and Journalism from the University of South Dakota and spent several years working in broadcast television before attending law school. After graduation from the University of Nebraska College of Law, Joel clerked for the Honorable Roberto A. Lange in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Dakota in Pierre.Outside of work, Joel enjoys traveling with his wife,...

Growing up on a farm Jeff Cole understood how hard it was to be a farmer so he decided he wanted to fight for farmers to get their fair share in our legal system and became a lawyer. Since he decided to become a lawyer he has a diverse career but now mainly focuses on trials and litigation. He has tried 7 cases to the South Dakota Supreme Court and one case to the US Court of Appeals. He has even won a US Supreme Court Case where he was trial counsel.

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...

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,...

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...

Anthony Hohn is a litigation attorney at Davenport, Evans, Hurwitz & Smith, LLP in Sioux Falls, SD. A Sioux Falls native, Anthony joined the firm in 2008 as a member of the firm’s litigation section and became a partner in 2014. His practice includes of a wide variety of litigation, including commercial litigation, creditors’ rights, employment litigation, and condemnation litigation. Anthony interned with the firm in the summer of 2006 and is a 2007 graduate of the University of South Dakota School of Law, where he served as lead articles editor for the South Dakota Law Review. Following graduation, Anthony...

Born and raised in Parker, South Dakota lawyer Drew Duncan graduated from Parker High School in 1994. From there he went to the University of Nebraska in Lincoln and then got his law degree from the University of South Dakota School of Law. After a year as a clerk for the 5th circuit judges of South Dakota he joined Zimmer, Duncan and Cole. At Zimmer, Duncan and Cole he has specialized in governmental affairs law and civil litigation. Drew is married to his beautiful wife Carrie and they have two children together Olivia and Bennett. Drew loves outdoor activities and...

Sioux Falls lawyer Elizabeth Hertz joined Davenport, Evans, Hurwitz & Smith, LLP in the litigation section in 2010, and became a partner in 2016. She received her B.A. from Macalester College in 2004 where she studied classical history and biology. She is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School and clerked for the Honorable James B. Loken of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.

Elizabeth practices in the areas of commercial and complex litigation, family law, tribal law, professional liability defense, appellate law, plaintiff’s litigation, construction litigation, and intellectual property litigation. Elizabeth currently serves as president...

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...

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,...

Amanda Engel grew up in South Dakota and returned there after a brief excursion into North Dakota for a few years. She graduated magna cum laude from the University of North Dakota with a B.A. in political science and then University of North Dakota School of Law with cum laude honors. In 2012 she was admitted to practice law in South Dakota.

Justin Clarke is a litigation attorney at Davenport, Evans, Hurwitz & Smith, LLP in Sioux Falls, SD. An Estelline, SD native, Justin joined the firm in 2010 and is a partner in the firm’s litigation section. Justin’s practice focuses on insurance defense, commercial and complex litigation, and trust litigation. Justin graduated from the University of Kansas School of Law in 2010. While in law school, he served as a staff editor for the Kansas Journal of Law and Public Policy and participated in KU Law’s Moot Court competition. When Justin isn’t working, he enjoys spending time with his family and...

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...

Bret Merkle has been representing injured people since 1991. Bret is a trial attorney specializing in the area of bodily injury and insurance claims. He graduated with a law degree and an MBA degree, and is a staff instructor with the Gerry Spence Trial Lawyers College. Bret has obtained justice for his clients through negotiated settlements, mediation, arbitration, court trials and jury trials for hundreds of people over the years. Bret and his staff are personable and easy to work relieving the stress from tragic accidents and losses.

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...

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...

Vince Roche is a Commercial Litigation attorney at Davenport, Evans, Hurwitz & Smith, LLP in Sioux Falls, SD. Vince focuses his practice on commercial litigation, including trusts and estates litigation, class action defense and defending financial institutions. He also has substantial experience representing clients in arbitration and mediation matters arising out of commercial disputes. Prior to joining the firm in 2008, Vince practiced for five years in Chicago with Kirkland & Ellis LLP and Novack & Macey LLP. Since joining the firm, he has obtained dismissal of several multimillion-dollar class action lawsuits against firm clients in both state and...

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...

Beau joined the Den Herder Law Firm in 2019 with several years of experience practicing in a variety of civil litigation matters, real estate transactions, and debtor-creditor negotiations. Beau serves as the municipal attorney for the town of Mission Hill, South Dakota. Beau graduated from the University of South Dakota Law School in 2014. During law school Beau served as Lead Articles Editor for the South Dakota Law Review and was a member of the Trial Team.

Beau has been a member of the South Dakota Bar Association since 2014 and is also admitted to practice before the United States District...