Education
- University of South Dakota School of Law, Vermillion, South Dakota
- J.D. - 1985
- Honors: Law REview, University of South Dakota Law Review, Topics Editor, 1984 - 1985
- South Dakota State University, Brookings, South Dakota
- B.S. - 1982
- Honors: Dean's List
- Major: Economics
- Major: Political Science
Classes & Seminars
- Give the Jury a Place to Hang Its Hat--Simplify Your Case, Galaxy of Rising Stars Seminar, Association of Trial Lawyers of America, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1991
- Dealing with Dirty Tricks: Zealous Advocate or Hardball Litigator?, Mastering Trial Strategies and Tactics Seminar, Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Maui, Hawaii, 1992
- Demonstrative Evidence--Storyboards and PET Scans, South Dakota Trial Lawyers Association, Spring Seminar, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, 1994
- Know When to Run (How Do You Handle Difficult Clients), South Dakota Trial Lawyers Association, Fall Seminar, Deadwood, South Dakota, 1994
- David v. Goliath?--Using Chiropractic Experts to Prove Damages, Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Jazz Fest, New Orleans, Louisiana, 1996
Pro-Bono Activities
- Belle Fourche Community Center Board. South Dakota Game Fish and Parks Commissioner, 1997 to 2005
- Chair, South Dakota Game Fish and Parks Commissioner, 1998 to 2005
Published Works
- "The New Federalism: Time for States to Pull the Plow in Soil Conservation", South Dakota Law Review, Vol. 30 S. D. L. Rev. No. 3
- "Jury Selection in the Next Century" , NDTLA, October, 1999
- "Making an Impact: The Trial of an Automobile Collision Case", ATLA, January, 2000
Professional Associations
- State Bar of South Dakota, Member, Committees on Lawyer Referral and Negligence and Tort Law
- State Bar of South Dakota, President, 1995
- Wyoming State Bar
- American Bar Association
- South Dakota Trial Lawyers
- American Board of Trial Advocates
- Association of Trial Lawyers of America
- Belle Fourche Chamber of Commerce, President, 1988
- South Dakota Board of Regents, Student Regent, 1982 to 1985
- Butte County Bar, President, 1990
Certified Legal Specialties
- Board Certified Trial Attorney, National Board of Trial Advocacy
Practice Areas
- Personal Injury
- Wrongful Death
- Automobile Accidents and Injuries
- Business Litigation
- Insurance Litigation
- Federal Employers Liability Act (FELA)
- Products Liability
- Premises Liability
- Professional Liability
- Spinal Injury
- Birth Trauma
- Condemnation
- Brain Injury
- Fraud and Deceit
Bar Admissions
- South Dakota, 1985
- Wyoming, 1996
- U.S. Supreme Court, 1994
Honors
- Named in "The Best Lawyers in America," 2001 - 20012
- Rapid City’s 2013 Lawyer of the Year
- Great Plains Super Lawyers, 2007 and 2009
Representative Cases
- Lesmeister v. American Colloid Company
- Holzer v. Provider's Fidelity Insurance Company
- Stevens v. Wood Saw Mill, et al.
- McIlravy, et al. v. Kerr-McGee
- Filip Johnson v. Central Plains Clinic, et al.
- Schuldies v. Millar, et al.
- Galen Andrews v. Medical Associates Clinic, et al.
- Brunner v. Lear-Siegler
- Clausen v. Aberdeen Grain Inspection
