Times change. It is impossible to succeed without being prepared for it. Such preparation is just one of the reasons Davenport, Evans, Hurwitz & Smith, L.L.P., has remained one of South Dakota’s largest and most highly respected law firms over the last 70 years. It understands and accommodates to change, just as its clients do.

When the law firm was founded in 1939, no one imagined the growth of the credit card and insurance industry or the explosion in the health care, employee benefits and employment law fields, let alone the role of e-commerce or such things as dynasty trusts. Today, DEHS is nationally recognized for its work in financial services, credit card compliance, health care and trust law. It has helped clients adapt – and continue to adapt – to the growing complexity of the law in these areas, as well as with tax law, trust and estate planning, corporate and small business planning, finance issues, and mergers and acquisition.

From its inception, DEHS also has been prominent in the South Dakota trial bar. It remains one of the most highly regarded litigation firms in the state, with the greatest part of its trial practice in the defense of lawsuits for corporations and insurance companies. The firm also is extensively involved in insurance coverage and general insurance matters. It serves as general counsel for the South Dakota Insurance Guaranty Association and the South Dakota Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association.

The law firm’s commitment to excellence in helping clients isn’t just talk. It’s been recognized by a variety of organizations.

Sixteen members of the firm were selected by their peers to appear in the 2007 edition of The Best Lawyers in America, more than any other law firm in the state. The lawyers included in the most recent edition of the publication, considered one of the more prestigious and objective guides to lawyers, demonstrates the breadth of the firm’s services. DEHS lawyers were recognized as among the best in the nation in banking law, bankruptcy and creditor-debtor rights law, commercial litigation, corporate law, employee benefits law, First Amendment law, health care law, labor and employment law, medical malpractice law, real estate law, and tax law.

Some things are more important than peer recognition, however. That includes how you are perceived by those for whom you work. Each year Chambers USA carries out thousands of interviews to rank and recommend lawyers. The 2007 edition of its America’s Leading Lawyers for Business names DEHS as a top-ranked firm in seven areas of law important to businesses. Once again, 16 firm lawyers were selected, more than any other firm in South Dakota. Fourteen DEHS lawyers were named “leading practitioners” in general corporate/commercial law, corporate/commercial bankruptcy law, general commercial litigation, healthcare litigation, real estate law, and employment law. In addition, two firm members were named as “up-and-coming” in healthcare litigation and general commercial litigation.

This breadth and depth of knowledge allows DEHS to provide clients not only with lawyers with expertise in the client's field of interest, but also with the support and back-up needed to ensure timely delivery of services. A faithful effort is made to understand each client's business, individual or litigation needs and provide the necessary legal services on a timely and cost effective basis.

In addition to South Dakota, firm members are admitted to practice law in Iowa*, Minnesota and Nebraska. DEHS lawyers also are admitted in the Tax Court, various federal district and circuit courts, and the United States Supreme Court. The firm's attorneys include members of the American Bar Association, American Board of Trial Advocates, American College of Real Estate Lawyers, American College of Trial Lawyers, American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, American Health Lawyers Association, Defense Research Institute, International Academy of Trial Lawyers, International Association of Defense Counsel, International Society of Barristers, and National Association of Bond Lawyers. Members of the firm have held leadership positions in many of these organizations and particularly throughout the State Bar of South Dakota. The involvement of firm lawyers in the State Bar has included presidency of the organization and serving on its board of directors. Firm members are also active in their communities and the state as a whole, serving on a variety of non-profit boards, as well as school boards, the State Legislature and the South Dakota Governor’s Task Force on Trust Law Reform.

Times change. DEHS is proud to say it changes with them and its clients to help them meet the needs of today – and tomorrow.

*For State of Iowa Legal Disclosure, see profile(s) of attorney(s) licensed to practice in Iowa.