Davenport Evans lawyer Eric C. Schulte was selected as the 2nd Circuit Bar Association Lawyer of the Year on November 10, 2017.  Eric received the award from amongst a strong pool of nominations. Although the 2nd Circuit Bar Association has honored a lawyer for pro bono service in the past, this was the first time the 2nd Circuit Bar Association has awarded an all-around lawyer of the year award. To become lawyer of the year, the winner must have shown an exemplary contribution to the practice of law, have given back in a substantial way to the 2nd circuit community, and have demonstrated upstanding morals and ethics in the practice of law and in their personal lives. Eric meets all of these qualities and his commitment to the practice of law and to his community made him an obvious choice. A statement on the award read, “Eric has always shown immense ethical and moral conduct in his practice and never turns down the opportunity to give back.”

Eric has received a Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished Peer Rating, indicating the attorney is widely respected for high professional achievement and ethical standards. He has also been recognized by Great Plains Super Lawyers in the area of Insurance Coverage, and Chambers and Partners in the area of Litigation: General Commercial.

Eric was President of the State Bar of South Dakota from 2015-2016. He serves on the Bar’s Law School and Legal Services Committees. Eric also serves on the board for East River Legal Services and is the President of the Executive Board for The Banquet in Sioux Falls.

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 business and litigation counsel to individuals and corporate clients in a variety of practice areas. For more information about Davenport Evans, visit www.dehs.com.