Davenport Evans lawyer Brooke N. Schmidt was presented the 2026 South Dakota Young Lawyer of the Year Award on behalf of the State Bar of South Dakota on June 24 at the Sioux Falls Convention Center.
The South Dakota Young Lawyer of the Year Award recognizes members of the State Bar of South Dakota under the age of 36 or having been admitted to practice for less than 10 years. Nominees must exemplify professional excellence, dedication to serving the legal profession and the Bar, service to their community, and a reputation that advances legal ethics and professional responsibility.
Schmidt joined Davenport Evans in 2021 and focuses on all areas of employment law. Brooke counsels clients on issues involving employee benefits, harassment, discrimination, wrongful termination, the Fair Labor Standards Act, and the Family and Medical Leave Act. She is also a member of the Davenport Evans Transactions and General Business practice group.
Brooke serves as the Co-Chair of Ask-A-Lawyer, a public service event from the State Bar of South Dakota, and volunteers for the Sioux Empire Teen Court juvenile diversion program. She also serves on the Board of Trustees for the Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools Foundation. Brooke previously served as the Second Circuit Representative for the South Dakota Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Section from 2021-2024, and served on the Board of Directors for Sioux Falls Thrive. Brooke is a graduate of the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce Evan C. Nolte Leadership Sioux Falls program.
Davenport, Evans, Hurwitz & Smith, LLP, located in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, is one of the state’s largest law firms. The firm’s attorneys provide trust and trust company, business and litigation counsel, to clients locally, national, and internationally. For more information about Davenport Evans, visit dehs.com.
Left to Right:
Alayna Holmstrom, Ruth Sauers, Brooke Schmidt, and Jean Bender; Brooke Schmidt with her parents and husband Nolan; Brooke Schmidt with her husband Nolan Schmidt; and Mae Pochop, Young Lawyer Section President, who presented Brooke with the award.