Davenport, Evans, Hurwitz & Smith, LLP, again received the top ranking from Chambers USA for both its business and litigation practices with more than half its lawyers being individually recognized.
Davenport Evans received a "Band 1" ranking in every category for South Dakota: Corporate/Commercial Law, including Bankruptcy; Labor and Employment Law, including Workers' Compensation; Commercial Litigation, including Healthcare Litigation; and Real Estate Law. In addition, 19 different lawyers in the firm were recognized in the rankings, which appear in the recently released 2010 edition of Chambers USA. Chambers conducts thousands of interviews with lawyers and clients with law firms and individual lawyers ultimately ranked in bands from 1-6, with 1 being the best.
Here's what Chambers, frequently used in the business community, reported about Davenport Evans, with Chambers putting quotes from firm clients in italics:
Commercial Litigation -- "Clients appreciate the breadth of expertise on offer at this established Sioux Falls outfit, which appears frequently in major litigation," Chambers said. Specifically ranked by Chambers were Ed Evans, Mark Haigh, Melissa Hinton and Eric Schulte. Evans, Haigh and Hinton were also selected in Healthcare Litigation, where Evans received the state's only "star" ranking.
Corporate/Commercial Law -- Davenport Evans "offers a full service to financial institutions" and "fields a broad-based business practice," Chambers reported. "A one-stop shop big enough to have a variety of expertise but still provide personal attention." Attorneys specifically recognized by Chambers were Scott Anderson, Jon Brown, Keith Gauer, Charles Gullickson, Doug Hajek, Bob Hayes, Dave Knudson (who left the firm at the beginning of 2010 to seek the Republican gubernatorial nomination) and Monte Walz, while Matt McNamee received an "up and coming" designation. Hayes and Gauer were also two of only four attorneys in the state recognized for skills in bankruptcy law.
Labor and Employment Law -- Again, Davenport Evans "offers a full service" to clients in labor and employment matters, Chambers said. "Very responsive and well researched, with strong attorneys providing specialized services across the various issues we face." Jean Bender, Cheryle Gering and Sue Simons (who recently became in-house counsel for a major Sioux Falls employer) were recognized in general labor and employment law while Kristi Holm, Rick Orr and Schulte were recognized for their practice in workers' compensation.
Real Estate -- The real estate attorneys at Davenport Evans "are exceptionally easy to work with and are a real part of our team," one client told Chambers. The publication itself noted that the firm "offers a full range of services to real estate clients[.]" Brown, Hayes and Dan Donohue were selected in this category.