Gregory A. "Greg" Eiesland - Lawyer in Rapid City, SD

Greg Eiesland is a partner in the Johnson Eiesland Law Offices in Rapid City, South Dakota. Over the years Greg Eiesland has been involved in many of the most important and cutting edge cases in the State of South Dakota. His case of National Bank of South Dakota v. Lier, et al, struck down sovereign immunity for the State of South Dakota. After that decision, the State could no longer harm people without being accountable for the damage it caused. His case of Flockhart v. Wyant established the law in South Dakota that an injured party could go after a drunk driver for punitive damages. His case of Small v. KcKennan Hospital established the right of compensation for the family of a woman killed by criminal activity on business premises. Years ago he had the first seven figure personal injury verdict in South Dakota. Greg has been instrumental in nursing home reform in the state. He continues to be an advocate for people injured in this state. His recent verdicts and settlements for nursing home residents who are victims of neglect and abuse have garnered attention both state wide and nationally.On behalf of his clients, Greg has successfully taken on the US Government, Indian Health Service, State of South Dakota, Department of Transportation, Toyota, Caterpillar, Beverly Nursing Homes, Golden Living Nursing Homes, Walmart, K-mart, Twin Labs, Starcraft and countless other negligent companies, government entities, and individuals.Greg served on the Board of Directors of America Association of Justice (formerly ATLA), for 20 years. He has taught trial skills at several National College of Advocacy Trial Schools, including the Ultimate Trial Advocacy Course: The Art of Persuasion at Harvard University. For the last several years he has taught at the AAJ Case Workshop. The course regularly prepares some of the more significant and unique legal cases around the country.Greg is past President of the South Dakota Trial Lawyers Association and the State Bar of South Dakota, and was formerly selected as South Dakota Trial Lawyer of the Year. He was selected to the American Board of Trial Advocates and the American College of Trial Lawyers. He is a member of Public Justice Foundation and is certified as a Civil Trial Specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Greg has for over 20 years been listed among the Best Lawyers in America. At the annual ATLA Conference in San Francisco he was recognized as the 2003 recipient of the Steven J. Sharp Award for compassion and excellence in advocacy in a case of national significance.Greg Eiesland was appointed for six years on the South Dakota Disciplinary Committee which upholds ethical standards and recommends discipline to the South Dakota Supreme Court for instances of unethical behavior by attorneys.Greg is a Warrior in the Trial Lawyers College. His practice is client oriented. Each client has their own personal story to tell. He works with his team of skilled paralegals and attorneys to effectively help tell that story. We are passionate about recovering the compensation that our clients deserve.We take a limited number of cases. Each case receives individual attention. The staff is dedicated, talented and compassionate. Greg Eiesland has successfully represented numerous individuals and their families with serious injuries or death in the following types of cases:Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect, Trucking Accidents, Auto Accidents, Defective Products, Medical Malpractice, Premises Liability and many other areas of the law. Individually and as a law firm we feel a strong connection to the community. We are active in Habitat for Humanity, Kids Against Hunger, Backpack Program, The Food Bank, Girls and Boys Little League, Breast Cancer Awareness, Special Olympics, Black Hills Childrens Home, Black Hills Workshop and Dakota Choral Union.Outside the practice of law Greg is an avid baseball fan. He coached kids baseball at various levels for fourteen years and was a girls soccer coach for five years. He enjoys hiking in the Black Hills as well as various points throughout the country.Greg Eiesland is an associate member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). Greg Eiesland is a Board Certified Civil Trial Specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Fewer than 25 of South Dakota's attorneys have this important certification. The National Board of Trial Advocacy was founded in 1977 and is devoted to improving the quality of trial advocacy and to aid clients in choosing experienced legal representation. Its board of directors includes renowned trial attorneys, law professors, and judges across the country. Certification consists of stringent standards, including continuing legal education, peer review, proof of good standing in the profession, and, of course, an active trial practice. Although most cases settle without going to trial, it helps to know that if your claim does go to trial, we have the expertise you need. Greg Eiesland has served on the Board of Governors of AAJ from 1989 to the present. Greg Eiesland lectures nationally on trial practice and strategy. AAJ, with 60,000 members in the United States, Canada and abroad, is the world's largest trial bar. It was established in 1946 to safeguard victims' rights, strengthen the civil justice system, promote injury prevention, and foster the disclosure of information critical to public health and safety.Greg Eiesland is a former president of the South Dakota Trial Lawyers Association (SDTLA) and both have been awarded the honor of South Dakota Trial Lawyer of the Year. SDTLA goals include preserving the jury system, promoting justice and efficiency in all matters pertaining to the trial of civil and criminal cases, establishing a high standard of ethics, clarifying and simplifying trial procedures, and promoting a program of continuing education in trial practice. Our firm is dedicated to ensuring these goals are met and followed in our daily activities for the betterment of present and future clients.The State Bar of South Dakota became an active association on December 7, 1897. Lawyers play a vital role in the preservation of society. The fulfillment of this role requires an understanding by lawyers of their relationship to the legal system. The Rules of Professional Conduct serve to define that relationship. A lawyer is a representative of clients, an officer of the legal system and a public citizen having special responsibility for the quality of justice. Our lawyers have served the bar on many levels, including the Disciplinary Board, Ethics Committee, Medical-Legal Liaison Committee, Judicial Qualification Committee, Civil Pattern Jury Instruction Committee, and Greg Eiesland served as The State Bar President (1993 — 1994).