Susan Brunick Simons

Sue’s active representation of employers and insurers in workers’ compensation cases gradually led her to become one of the firm’s leaders in the field of labor and employment law. While she still advises clients on workers’ compensation issues, more look to her now for her expertise in harassment and discrimination claims.

She also provides guidance to employers in the alphabet soup of laws that impact employers, such as the ADA, FLSA and the FMLA. Her work in these fields has led to her inclusion in the employment law portions of Chambers USA America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, The Best Lawyers in America and Who’s Who Legal: USA. Sue also is among the firm attorneys who regularly assist school districts on a wide range of legal issues.

Professional Experience

Davenport, Evans, Hurwitz & Smith, LLP
Partner: 1991 – present
Associate: 1987 – 1990
Law Clerk, Senior U.S. District Judge, Fred J. Nichol

Admitted to Practice (State):

South Dakota, 1987

Admitted to Practice (Federal):

United States District Court, District of South Dakota, 1987
United States District Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit 1987
United States Supreme Court, 2002

Professional Memberships

State Bar of South Dakota (Past Chair, Worker’s Compensation Committee, Past Chair, Ethics Committee; Member CLE Committee)
Minnehaha County and American Bar Associations
South Dakota Defense Lawyers Association, President 2005-2006
International Association Defense Counsel
Defense Research Institute – South Dakota State Representative 2006-2009

Education

College of St. Benedict (B.A., magna cum laude, 1978)
University of South Dakota (J.D., Sterling Honor Graduate 1986)