Eric C. Schulte

Eric C. Schulte

South Dakota Litigation Lawyer

My Story

South Dakota lawyer Eric Schulte joined Davenport Evans in 2000. When it comes to lawyers people feel comfortable with, Eric ranks near the top. He assists clients facing general civil litigation in cases ranging from auto accidents to occasional criminal matters to contract disputes. Eric also does extensive insurance defense work.

Eric was named Lawyer of the Year by the 2nd Circuit Bar Association, in 2017. He has been named a Local Litigation Star by Benchmark Litigation, and received a Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished Peer Rating, indicating the attorney is widely respected for high professional achievement and ethical standards. He has also been selected to the 2022 and 2023 Best Lawyers® Lawyers of the Year in the area of Litigation – Insurance, and Litigation – Construction, recognized in the 2022 Best Lawyers® Real Estate and Infrastructure Edition in Construction Law, and by Best Lawyers®  in the areas of Litigation – Construction and Litigation – Insurance for over 10 years.  Eric has been recognized by Great Plains Super Lawyers in the area of Insurance Coverage, and Chambers and Partners in the area of Litigation: General Commercial. In 2020, Eric was selected to become a member of the International Society of Barristers and the American Board of Trial Advocates.

Eric was President of the State Bar of South Dakota from 2015-2016. He serves on the State Bar of South Dakota Law School and Legal Services Committees. Eric also serves on the board of the Promising Futures Fund, a nonprofit that helps 14 schools in the Sioux Falls School District with the highest rates of poverty. Their current projects include a book-of-the-month club and the redevelopment of Hayward Park. Eric is a past board member for the East River Legal Services and past-president of the Executive Board for The Banquet in Sioux Falls.

Position: Partner
Direct: (605) 357-1241
Email: eschulte@dehs.com

Eric Schulte Super Lawyer 2021

Professional Experience

Davenport, Evans, Hurwitz & Smith, LLP 
Partner: 2006 – present
Associate: 2000 – 2005 

Judicial Law Clerk, Second Judicial Circuit, Sioux Falls, SD, 1999-2000

Education

University of South Dakota 
(B.A., 1994) 

University of South Dakota School of Law 
(J.D., 1999)

Professional Memberships

Second Judicial Circuit
Bar Association (President, 2005 – 2006)
State Bar of South Dakota (President, 2015 – 2016)
South Dakota Trial Association
South Dakota Defense Lawyers Association
Defense Research Institute
East River Legal Services Board (2012 – present)
American Bar Association
International Association of Defense Counsel International Society of Barristers
American Board of Trial Advocates

Licensure

Admitted to Practice (State): 
South Dakota, 2000 

Admitted to Practice (Federal): 
United States Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit, 2002
United States District Court, District of South Dakota, 2001

Accomplishments

Lawyer of the Year, 2nd Circuit Bar, 2017

President, State Bar of South Dakota, 2015 – 2016

Young Lawyer of the Year, 2005

Advisory Board President, The Banquet, 2012 – 2013

Protecting what you’ve built.

Phone Numbers

Driving Directions

Davenport Evans, Hurwitz & Smith, LLP

206 West 14th Street
P.O. Box 1030
Sioux Falls, SD 57101-1030