Houghton Lawyers

South Dakota Employment and Family Law attorney in Sioux Falls and the surrounding areas. Beth is local to the Sioux Falls area and has raised her three children in the community. Beth's extensive background helps her clients navigate the drama in business and life. She leverages her past HR experience to dissolve employee issues, cut the drama, and find solutions to prevent them in the future. Beth proactively helps clients protect their business by updating employee handbooks, offering employee training, providing guidance on difficult employment situations, conducting internal investigations, responding to charges of discrimination, and defending lawsuits. She handles cases...

Eric Schlimgen, a Black Hills native has been practicing since 2016 with measurable success. He prides himself on a deep tradition of excellence, ensuring only the highest quality service. Eric understands the challenges and pressure that comes with every case and is here for you, every step of the way.

Dependable, calm, and well spoken, Eric approaches each new case with the attention it needs. Get in touch with him today.

During law school Eric was active on the Moot Court and Trial Team competing in several nation-wide tournaments. While at the University of South Dakota he also obtained a Masters of...

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...

Scott Swier is the Founder and Managing Member of Swier Law Firm. He also leads the law firm's Business Litigation Practice Group and Education Law Practice Group. Scott is a recognized authority in state and federal legal matters. While serving in private legal practice and as Assistant Attorney General for the State of South Dakota, he has represented individuals, businesses, and government entities before state and federal trial courts, state and federal appellate courts, and state and federal regulatory agencies. As Assistant Attorney General, Scott served as counsel for the State of South Dakota in...

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...

Scott is the founder of Southern Hills Law PLLC in Custer, South Dakota. After graduating in the top third of his class at KU law, Scott practiced civil litigation and advice at the law firm of Riling, Burkhead and Nitcher, Chtd in Lawrence, Kansas from 2006-2008. He worked as an Assistant County Attorney in Dodge City Kansas from 2008-2016 handling all types of cases, including homicide, violent crime, property crime, traffic, and other cases. Mr. James was an integral part of the 2011 Dodge City RICO indictment of the Norteno Street Gang in Dodge city. Scott had the privilege of...

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.

Timothy Rensch has been practicing Personal Injury and Criminal Law in the Black Hills for over 30 years. Past cases have included murder, rape, drug charges, and serious injury matters. Timothy is dedicated to providing his clients with aggressive advocacy and achieving the best possible outcomes for their legal situations. His passion for helping people ensures that their voices are heard. Timothy is a fellow of the American Board of Criminal Lawyers and a lifetime member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. He has twice been the president of the Black Hills Criminal Defense Bar, and is also 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...

Aggressive legal representation focusing in the practice of criminal law, family law, divorce, custody, DUI, business law, real estate law, probate and business formations. Also general litigation for a wide variety of disputes. As an experienced trial lawyer with over 20 years of legal practice I can bring the experience needed to help you in dealing with most legal matters.

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...

I grew up in Isabel, South Dakota. My dad is truck driver; my mom is a school nurse. After completing law school, I completed a one-year clerkship with the Sixth Judicial Circuit of South Dakota in Pierre. Since then, I have engaged in private practice, focusing almost exclusively on civil litigation. I enjoy helping people that have been injured in car accidents or tractor-trailer accidents. Because my dad is a truck driver, and because I drove a truck while working my way through college, I believe that I have a unique insight into the operation...

Tim James has more than 30 years of litigation experience. He consults on medical malpractice cases. Tim's experience as a litigator involving many complex cases has resulted in a strong record of success. See more about Tim at www.yankton.lawyer or www.timjameslaw.com.

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...

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...

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...

I have been a family law attorney for over 40 years and after having also done family law mediation for several years, I am now doing only Family Law Mediation. I have taken the ABA Family Law Mediation training and attended the Harvard Negotiations Seminar.

I am an experienced trial lawyer helping clients with injury accidents, criminal allegations, divorce, custody, or guardianship issues. I enjoy helping clients get through difficult and stressful situations, and sticking up for the powerless when the individuals in power are attempting to take advantage of them.

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....

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.

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,...

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,...

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.

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...

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...

Experienced former prosecutor will "SEEK JUSTICE FOR YOU!". Successful experienced DUI/DWI trial lawyer.