As one of the largest and most respected firms in South Dakota, we have a tradition of providing quality representation in and out of court. Over the past century, our practice has expanded to encompass a broad range of matters, but we were founded as a litigation firm and have historically had a strong litigation practice.
Our clients include individuals, small businesses, large corporations, financial institutions, governmental entities, and insurance companies. We represent clients on claims venued in state and federal courts throughout South Dakota, and also have attorneys licensed in Minnesota, Iowa and Nebraska.
Alternative dispute resolution is favored by the courts and, where appropriate, is a logical first step in settling disputes. Based on our collective experience, we are well-placed to plan case strategies, evaluate potential liability and arrive at reasonable settlement and jury verdict ranges. With that analysis in hand, our lawyers are able to advise clients when and to what extent they should engage in mediation or arbitration. Woods Fuller’s lawyers are very experienced at representing clients in an alternative dispute resolution setting. Armed with first-hand information, and acquainted with the approach of the mediators in this area, we can identify who is best able to fashion a satisfactory outcome in a particular case.
The firm’s litigation practice group includes an instrument-rated pilot who is experienced in defending aviation accident claims on a statewide basis. We have represented both commercial and private interests operating under Parts 121 and 135. Included among our clients are Associated Aviation Underwriters, Phoenix Aviation Group and Southeast Aviation Underwriters.
We specialize in defending civil rights claims brought under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, and our clients include the City of Sioux Falls, Minnehaha County, the State of South Dakota, and a number of other cities and counties throughout South Dakota. We have also represented many businesses and individuals against a variety of other alleged violations of civil rights, including employment, housing, age, gender, disability and religious discrimination, as well as sexual harassment and hostile work environment claims.
A significant portion of our practice involves defending personal injury claims arising from auto accidents, slip and falls, and a variety of other tort litigation. These cases range from small soft-tissue claims to multi-million dollar catastrophic injury and death claims. We have also frequently departed from our traditional defense-oriented practice to represent injured plaintiffs in need of legal assistance to recover appropriate compensation from a negligent party.
We have handled product liability matters for local, regional, and national companies, involving airplanes, helicopters, railroad equipment, farm equipment, herbicide, trailers, tires, lumber, PVC cement, breast implants, coffee, fans, and other household appliances, to name only a few. This litigation has been venued in state and federal courts throughout South Dakota.
The firm has handled all types of professional liability claims. While our emphasis has been on medical and legal malpractice, we have also defended architects, accountants, and engineers. It is not unusual for an insured professional to specifically request that an attorney from our firm handle a lawsuit filed against him or her.
Narrow your search by typing the name of the practice area you are interested in. Your result list will update as you type. Click on a practice area in the list to view more information.
The determination of the need for legal services and the choice of a lawyer are extremely important decisions and should not be based solely upon advertisements or self-proclaimed expertise. Memberships and offices in legal fraternities and legal societies, technical and professional licenses, and memberships in scientific, technical and professional associations and societies of law or field of practice do not mean that a lawyer is a specialist or expert in a field of law, nor do they mean that such a lawyer is necessarily any more expert or competent than any other lawyer. A description or indication of limitation of practice does not mean that any agency or board has certified such lawyer as a specialist or expert in an indicated field of law practice, nor does it mean that such lawyer is necessarily any more expert or competent than any other lawyer. All potential clients are urged to make their own independent investigation and evaluation of any lawyer being considered. This disclosure is required by rule of the Supreme Court of Iowa.
