Michael Strain has been recognized by his peers as one of South Dakota’s outstanding trial lawyers.  In 1995, he was selected as South Dakota Trial Lawyer of the Year.  He has also been labeled as “Super Lawyer” by the Great Plains Super Lawyers Magazine.  Mr. Strain has developed a stellar record as a trial attorney in civil and criminal jury trials over the course of his career, trying over 100 cases to verdict, and bringing numerous others to settlement.  His litigation practice has ranged from minor car accidents, to civil rights litigation, to medical malpractice cases, to business litigation cases, to murder trials.  Mr. Strain has obtained numerous “not guilty” verdicts in criminal trials, and has obtained many substantial civil verdicts and settlements.  His litigation practice is focused on the area of business litigation, civil rights, personal injury, medical malpractice, and criminal law.  From 2002 to 2007, Mr. Strain won 19 civil jury trials in a row. 
           
A few examples of Michael’s cases include: 

CIVIL RIGHTS

Grassili v. Barr, et al.:  Obtained a $4,505,522 jury verdict (including punitive damages) in a civil trial against the California Highway Patrol for retaliation against a citizen.  Pretrial offer, $0.

BUSINESS LITIGATION

Family Products LLC v. Infomercial Ventures Partnership:  Won in arbitration against Family Products for misuse of intellectual property rights and breach of contract relative to the showing of the John Beck Real Estate Infomercials.  Said arbitration resulted in a confidential settlement between the parties.

PERSONAL INJURY

Lone Wolf v. Duckwall Alco Stores, Inc.:  Obtained a $2,000,000 verdict in Federal District Court in Nebraska for a Native American who slipped and fell at the Defendant’s store.

Klutman v. Sioux Falls Storm:  Obtained a $500,000 verdict for a youth whose knee was injured at the Sioux Falls Arena, while playing clinic football.

Harvey v. Manning.:  Obtained a $150,000 verdict for a trip and fall in Douglas, Wyoming.

Fasthorse v. Hook:  Obtained a $175,000 verdict for a woman who was T-boned, and had $6,000 in chiropractic expenses.

Loen v. Sandbolt:  Obtained a $135,000 verdict for a woman who was rear-ended with $7,000 in medical expenses.

CRIMINAL DEFENSE

State v. Hoadley:  Mr. Strain was instrumental in obtaining a life sentence for Darrel Hoadley, where his Co-defendants received the death penalty.
Mr. Strain has received numerous “not guilty” verdicts in criminal jury trial. 
            After obtaining his law degree at the University of South Dakota, Vermillion, he clerked for the Eighth Judicial Circuit, State of South Dakota for one year before commencing his practice at the Morman Law Firm in Sturgis.  Michael continued his trial education by being a student at, and subsequently a staff member for several years, at the Gerry Spence’s Trial Lawyers College in Dubois, Wyoming.  Michael is a member of the South Dakota Trial Lawyers Association, the American Association for Justice, and is licensed to practice law in South Dakota and Wyoming. 

            Further, Mr. Strain has conducted legal trial seminars in California, Georgia, Louisiana, Ohio, South Dakota, Texas, West Virginia and Wyoming over the last ten years, including several seminars sponsored by the Consumer Attorneys of California and San Diego.  Mr. Strain is very active in post-graduate education and conduct legal presentations at seminars nationwide.

            Currently, Michael’s practice is focused on a local, state, and national practice.   Through affiliation, Michael represents clients in many other Federal and State Courts throughout the United States.  Michael is known for taking cases on behalf of injured people who have nowhere else to go to seek justice. 

PERSPECTIVE

“I was told a long time ago that if you are in this business to make money, you are going to make a lot of money and be miserable.  If you are in this business to help people, you are going to sleep at night, enjoy a wonderful experience through your life journey, and the money thing will just take care of itself.”

Keith R. Smit has been practicing law in Sturgis for over 43 years, and is considered one of the preeminent corporate and probate attorneys in the state of South Dakota.  Mr. Smit was born in Alta, Iowa in June of 1941.  He attended the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, South Dakota where he received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration in 1964, and majored in Economics.  In 1967 he received his Juris Doctor, and was admitted to the South Dakota State Bar.  He came to practice with Dale L. Morman in Sturgis, South Dakota.   According to Mr. Morman, “I had to either hire him as a partner, or he was going to open up a law office across the street and put me out of business!”  Mr. Morman wisely chose the former, and the two associated together until Mr. Morman’s death in 2009.  Mr. Smit’s degree in Business Administration, his major in economics, and experience in running businesses was immediately put to work.  His background in tax planning and probate planning created a unique opportunity for legal services for the clients in the Black Hills and West River area. 

Over the years, Mr. Smit has also been actively involved in the community, donating his time and financial assistance to public improvement projects, such as the Sturgis Community Center, Woodle Field and Jeff Smit Memorial Track, and other economic projects.  He has, on numerous occasions, held the position of Sturgis City Attorney, working under different mayors to promote and develop economic projects which have benefited the City of Sturgis specifically, and the area in general. 

Keith still actively practices law, concentrating on estate planning, probate law, corporate law, real estate law and banking.  He also assists the other attorneys in the office on various legal matters they have ongoing, and has served as a mentor for all of the attorneys currently at the Morman Law Firm.

Keith and his wife, Ruth, reside in Sturgis.  They frequently travel to Big Sky, Montana, to visit their children and grandchildren.

Candi Rawdon Thomson has been practicing with the Morman Law Firm since 1998.

Candi graduated from South Dakota State University in 1994 and from the University of South Dakota School of Law in 1998 where she was an editor of the South Dakota Law Review.

Consistent with the Morman Law Firm’s historical emphasis on providing it’s clients with comprehensive representation, Candi currently emphasizes the following areas in her practice:
 

• Business Formation and Organization
• Business and Real Estate Contracts
• Wills
• Powers of Attorney
• Probate Litigation
• Guardianship
• Adoption
• Creditor and Debtor Bankruptcy Issues
• Banking
• Real Estate

Candi also has extensive experience in Family Law, Criminal Law and Municipal Law.  In addition to her private practice, Candi was Deputy City Attorney from 2001-2007 and City Attorney from 2007-2009 for the City of Sturgis, South Dakota.

Prior to law school, Candi was employed as a youth counselor.  Candi was born and raised in Watertown, South Dakota, and she has lived in Sturgis since January 1999.  Candi spends the majority of her free time with her husband and two very active sons.

Joshua Hilpert is the most recent addition to the Morman Law Firm, having come on board over the summer of 2010.  Josh earned his undergraduate degree in history from the University of South Dakota, magna cum laude, in December 2006 before going on to earn a master’s degree in history and a law degree from USD in May 2010. 

During his time in law school, Joshua interned with the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office in Jackson, Mississippi, and Dakota Plains Legal Services in Rapid City, South Dakota.  Joshua’s practice concentrates on family law and criminal defense, but he is gaining experience in a broad variety of areas, including estate planning, property law, and civil litigation. 

Joshua is licensed to practice in the South Dakota state and federal courts.  During his time away from work, Joshua enjoys hiking, playing guitar, camping, and spending time with his family.  He has lived in South Dakota for over 20 years and firmly believes there is no better place to be than the Black Hills.