2019 Super Lawyers Announcement

Ten Gunderson, Palmer, Nelson & Ashmore attorneys have been recognized by the 2019 Super Lawyers® in South Dakota. Seven of these attorneys have been named “Super Lawyers” and three were named “Rising Stars.”

Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. This selection includes independent research, peer nominations and peer evaluations (SuperLawyers.com).

Super Lawyers

1. Sara Frankenstein
   Top-rated Legislative & Governmental Affairs Attorney in Rapid City, SD
2. Patrick G. Goetzinger
   Top-rated Estate Planning & Probate Attorney in Rapid City, SD
3. James S. Nelson
   Top-rated Business Litigation Attorney in Rapid City, SD
4. Daniel E. Ashmore
   Top-rated Civil Litigation Attorney in Rapid City, SD
5. J. Crisman Palmer
   Top-rated Business Litigation Attorney in Rapid City, SD
6. Donald P. Knudsen
   Top-rated Employment Litigation Attorney in Rapid City, SD
7. David E. Lust
   Top-rated Business & Corporate Attorney in Rapid City, SD

Rising Stars

1. Rebecca L. Mann
   Top-rated General Litigation Attorney in Rapid City, SD
2. Quentin L. Riggins
   Top-rated Energy & Natural Resources Attorney in Rapid City, SD
3. Justin A. DiBona
   Top-rated Estate Planning & Probate Attorney in Rapid City, SD

Gunderson, Palmer, Nelson & Ashmore Super Lawyers Website Link

Contributors

Daniel E. Ashmore

Daniel E. Ashmore was one of the first attorneys hired at Gunderson, Palmer, Nelson, & Ashmore, LLP. Dan received his Juris Doctor Degree from the University of South Dakota School of Law and was licensed to practice law in South Dakota and North Dakota. Upon first joining the firm in 1983, Dan was tasked with handling all areas of the law and was a pivotal part of creating the litigation practice group at GPNA. Dan is well known throughout the South Dakota bar for his leading role as a workers’ compensation and insurance defense attorney. Dan was an instrumental part in building these practice areas at GPNA and served as panel counsel for a litany of insurance companies in both North and South Dakota throughout his practice. In addition to his extensive civil practice, Dan was selected for inclusion in Chambers USA- America’s Leading Lawyers, The 20th edition of Best Lawyers in the United States for “Bet-the-Company” Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Insurance Law, Litigation - Construction, Litigation - Labor & Employment, and Workers’ Compensation Law - Employers, Great Plains Super Lawyers List. Dan was additionally named Best Lawyers' 2013 Rapid City Bet-the-Company Litigation "Lawyer of the Year," Super Lawyers’ 2018 Great Plains Super Lawyers, and Best Lawyers in America as 2018 "Lawyer of the Year" in Practice Area of Insurance Law

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David E. Lust (1968-2021)

David E. Lust attended Dartmouth College earning an undergraduate degree in government followed by law school at the University of South Dakota. Prior to joining Gunderson, Palmer, Nelson & Ashmore, LLP in 1999, David served as a law clerk for United States District Court Judge Richard H. Battey. He was recognized as a Fellow of the American College of Real Estate Lawyers (ACREL), a Commissioner with the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws (NCCUSL) and chaired the Governor’s Task Force on Trust Administration. David dedicated 10 years as a member of the South Dakota House of Representative, including four years as House Majority Leader. Other groups David was involved with include Elevate Rapid City, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Center for Alumni Relations and Advancements, South Dakota Board of Medical Examiners, State Workforce Advisory Council, Junior Achievement of South Dakota, The Greater Rapid City Economic Development Partnership, Rapid City Area Chamber of Commerce, Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Black Hills, and the Northern Plains Eye Institute. David was a devoted attorney, friend, husband and father who will be fondly remembered by many. He enjoyed hunting, golfing and fly-fishing and looked forward to annual fly-fishing trips to the Bighorn Mountains that he planned for fellow fishermen, as well as yearly golf excursions with his high school buddies. He particularly valued the friendships he made throughout his life and always made time for people. He cherished his relationships with his parents and siblings and their families and especially enjoyed taking his wife and children back to Aberdeen for family gatherings.

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J. Crisman Palmer

J. Crisman Palmer, fondly known as “Cris,” was one of the founding attorneys of Gunderson, Palmer, Nelson, & Ashmore, LLP. Cris earned his B.A. from South Dakota State University and his J.D. from the University of South Dakota School of Law. In 1973, while still attending law school, he began his work with Wynn Gunderson. After graduation and serving in the Army, in the fall of 1974, Cris returned to Rapid City to join Gunderson in practice. Shortly thereafter, in 1975, Cris and Wynn decided to create the Gunderson & Palmer Law Firm. Cris was a pivotal force in growing the firm into what it is today, actively participating in the interview and hiring of nearly every attorney hired up until his retirement. In addition to his reputation as a professional and capable practitioner, Cris also is well known for his contribution to and participation in the South Dakota Bar. Cris served as President of the State Bar of South Dakota, Chairman of the South Dakota Board of Pardons and Parole, a member of the South Dakota State Bar Disciplinary Board, and a member of the South Dakota Judicial Qualifications Commission. Cris also was an active member in various national legal organizations. Cris served as President of the South Dakota Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), as well as a member of the National Board of Directors of ABOTA. Cris was also an active member of the Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel (FDCC) and eventually went on to serve as the Admissions Chair for that organization. Finally, Cris was an active member of the International Society of Barristers (ISOB). Cris and his wife Peggy now spend their time enjoying their retirement by traveling the world and visiting their grandchildren and friends all over the country.

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James S. Nelson

James S. Nelson earned his Bachelor of Science degree at Black Hills State University and received his Juris Doctor from the University of South Dakota. After law school, Jim served three years in the United States Army as a Captain in the JAG Corps. Jim served in the South Dakota House of Representatives from 1969–1974. He has been a member of the State Bar of South Dakota, the American Bar Association, the South Dakota Trial Lawyers Association, the American College of Trial Lawyers, and the American Board of Trial Advocates, in which he served on the National Board of Directors and as past president of the South Dakota Chapter. Jim is also a former president of the South Dakota Trial Lawyers Association and the State Bar of South Dakota. Jim was active in the local community, where he was president of The Mount Rushmore Institute and served on the board of directors of the Hope Center. Jim also served on the board of directors of the Mount Rushmore National Memorial Society and was its president from 1999–2005. He has served on various boards for profit and nonprofit corporations, including insurance companies and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines. He was a past president of the Rushmore Mutual Life Insurance Company and Mt. Rushmore Casualty Company.

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Justin A. DiBona

Justin A. DiBona is a partner at Gunderson, Palmer, Nelson & Ashmore, LLP. Justin interned at GPNA while in law school, and then joined the firm as an associate attorney in 2016. His specialties include business and estate planning, probate and estate administration, business succession planning, and trusts.

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Quentin L. Riggins

Quentin L. Riggins, a partner at Gunderson, Palmer, Nelson & Ashmore, LLP., joined as an associate in August 2007 after a one-year clerkship with the First Judicial Circuit Court. While there, he clerked for the Honorable Arthur L. Rusch, Honorable Glen W. Eng, and the Honorable Steven R. Jensen.

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Sara Frankenstein

Sara earned her Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctor from the University of South Dakota. She served as Law Clerk to the Honorable Richard H. Battey, U.S. District Court, South Dakota in 2001 and 2002.

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Patrick G. Goetzinger

Pat is a partner with Gunderson, Palmer, Nelson, & Ashmore, LLP, where he leads the firm's Business and Estate Planning Group. He practices in the areas of Business and Estate Planning with a focus on family-run businesses, affluent individuals, business transactions, and real property law.

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