Douglas J. Hajek
Douglas J. Hajek
South Dakota Business Lawyer
My Story
Sioux Falls lawyer Doug Hajek didn’t enter the practice of law on the usual path. After graduating from college in 1972, Doug began a 10-year career in banking — first, as a commercial lender with US Bank in Rapid City, then in Minneapolis managing the company’s system-wide commercial loan participation pool, and finally, managing Western Bank’s mortgage banking operation in Sioux Falls.
Doug decided to enter law school in 1982. Since graduating in 1985, Doug has had an active practice in corporate law, public finance, and in working with banks in all aspects of regulation, management, and lending. He also served as a contract lobbyist during ten sessions of the South Dakota Legislature, working primarily with trust, banking and insurance legislation. He served as the lead lobbyist for a variety of measures, including legislation authorizing the establishment of independent trust companies, which has since led to the formation of many private trust companies in South Dakota.
With largely a transaction-based practice, Doug has the opportunity to provide strategic advice to corporate and banking clients. He also consults with clients and works with state government leaders to preserve and build upon South Dakota’s reputation as the most advantageous main office site for banks doing business on a regional or nationwide basis. In his public finance practice, he serves as bond counsel to cities, counties, other public entities and nonprofits, and regularly appears before public bodies to explain financing structures and options.
Doug has been active in his community and in statewide organizations. He currently serves as vice chair of the South Dakota Building Authority, and is a member of the Finance Council for the Catholic Diocese of Eastern South Dakota. He also serves with THRIVE, a newly formed non-profit whose mission is to unite business, government, non-profit and faith efforts to ensure children have resources needed to achieve optimal educational and career potential.
Doug Hajek has received an AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rating by Martindale-Hubbell®, for the highest level of professional excellence for their legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards. Doug has been selected by Best Lawyers® in the areas of Banking and Finance Law, Corporate Law, Mergers & Acquisitions Law, Financial Services Regulation Law, and Government Relations Practice. Doug was named Best Lawyers® 2019 “Lawyer of the Year” for Sioux Falls, SD in the area of Banking and Finance Law, and 2016 “Lawyer of the Year” for Sioux Falls, SD in the area of Mergers and Acquisitions. He is also listed in Chambers and Partners Leading Lawyers for Business in the area of Corporate/Commercial Law, and in Great Plains Super Lawyers in Banking.
Position: Of Counsel
Direct: (605) 357-1227
Email: dhajek@dehs.com
Practice Areas
Highlights
12 Davenport Evans Lawyers Named by Great Plains Super Lawyers, Three Named “Rising Stars”
- Lawyer Doug Hayek Appears in National Geographic’s The 80’s Greatest
- Banking Seminar Covers Cybersecurity, Complexities of Today’s Bank
- South Dakota and Unclaimed Property
- Hajek Honored as an SDSU 2017 Distinguished Economics Alumnus
- Initiated Measure 21’s Impact on 40-Year-Old Law – Hajek on Keloland
- The CFPB Gets Its Wings Clipped (but only a little)
- CFPB and the Courts
- Banking in South Dakota – 1994 and Today
- Financing Public Improvements
Professional Experience
Davenport, Evans, Hurwitz & Smith, LLP
Of Counsel: 2020 – present
Partner: 2001 – 2019
Associate: 2000 – 2001
Boyce, Murphy, McDowell & Greenfield, LLP
Education
South Dakota State University
(B.S., 1972)
University of Northern Colorado
(M.A., Business, 1975)
University of South Dakota School of Law
(J.D., Sterling Honor Graduate, 1985)
Professional Memberships
State Bar of South Dakota
Minnehaha County Bar Association
National Association of Bond Lawyers
Licensure
Admitted to Practice (State):
South Dakota, 1985
South Dakota Supreme Court, 1985
Admitted to Practice (Federal):
United States District Court, District of South Dakota, 1985
United States Tax Court, 1985
Accomplishments
Protecting what you’ve built.
Phone Numbers
Direct: (605) 357-1227
Dehs: (605) 336-2880
Driving Directions
Davenport Evans, Hurwitz & Smith, LLP
206 West 14th Street
P.O. Box 1030
Sioux Falls, SD 57101-1030