Practice areas: Criminal Defense, DUI-DWI, Family Law; view more
Licensed in South Dakota since: 2016
Education: The University of South Dakota School of Law
Selected to Rising Stars: 2024 - 2025 Details
Anthony Teesdale is the esteemed owner of Teesdale Law Office, a dynamic legal practice based in Brookings, South Dakota. With a fervent dedication to safeguarding individual liberties, he focuses on a diverse array of legal areas, including criminal law, family law, estate planning, educational law and civil litigation. He also provides crucial assistance to students navigating Title IX and disciplinary proceedings at South Dakota universities.
Raised in a variety of states, like New Jersey, Indiana and Missouri, Mr. Teesdale found his academic calling at the University of South Dakota, where he completed both his undergraduate studies and his Juris Doctor degree, graduating in 2015. His legal career commenced at a law firm in Brookings, where he sharpened his legal acumen as an associate attorney from 2015 until he ventured to establish his own practice in 2022.
Mr. Teesdale's commitment to his community is as profound as his dedication to the law. He holds significant roles, such as the vice chair of the Junior Achievement of South Dakota and a volunteer firefighter for the Brookings Fire Department. His passion for ensuring access to justice and defending civil liberties extends to his involvement as a board member for East River Legal Services and as the third circuit representative of the Young Lawyers Section of the State Bar of South Dakota, where he also chairs the Member Benefits Committee.
In recognition of his professional excellence, Mr. Teesdale holds an Avvo rating of “Excellent.” His leadership and proficiency are further reflected in his active membership in the South Dakota Trial Lawyers Association, the South Dakota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the American Bar Association.
Practice areas
Criminal Defense, Criminal Defense: DUI/DWI, Family Law, Civil Litigation: Plaintiff, Estate Planning & ProbateFocus areas
Adoption, Alimony & Spousal Support, Arrest & Arraignment, Assault & Battery, Child Support, Criminal Domestic Violence, Criminal Fraud, Criminal Law, Custody & Visitation, DUI/DWI, Debt, Dissolution, Divorce, Domestic Violence, Drug & Alcohol Violations, Estate Planning, Expungement, Failure to Pay Child Support, False Accusations, Father's Rights, Felony, Guardianships & Conservatorships, Juvenile Delinquency, Juvenile Law, Living Wills, Marital Property, Mediation & Collaborative Law, Misdemeanor, Motor Vehicle Offenses, Murder, Name Change, Overdrawn Bank Account, Parole, Paternity, Power of Attorney, Prenuptial Agreements, Probate & Estate Administration, Probation, Prosecution, Same Sex Family Law, Sex Offenses, Tax Evasion, Theft, Traffic Violations, Trusts, Wills
- 40% Criminal Defense
- 20% Criminal Defense: DUI/DWI
- 20% Family Law
- 10% Civil Litigation: Plaintiff
- 10% Estate Planning & Probate
First Admitted: 2016, South Dakota
- State Bar of South Dakota - Young Lawyers Section - Secretary/Treasurer, 2024
- American Bar Association
- South Dakota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
- South Dakota Trial Lawyers Association
- East River Legal Services - Board of Directors, 2024
- State Bar of South Dakota - Law Practice Management Committee - Co-Chair, 2021
- State Bar of South Dakota - Young Lawyers Section - Third Circuit Representative, 2023
- Engel v. Geary | 1 N.W.3d 644 Client, Defendant Husband (in California) was sued for divorce in South Dakota. Through a pro se’ affidavit, Defendant Husband asserted, inter alia, lack of personal jurisdiction. Following a hearing where client appeared pro se and his request for dismissal based on lack of personal jurisdiction was denied, he retained Attorney Anthony Teesdale to make a special appearance to challenge personal jurisdiction. At the trial court level, we filed Motions to Reconsider, Motions to Bifurcate Trial, supported those with various memorandums of law, and made various attempts to get the Court to reconsider the issue of personal jurisdiction and requested that the Court not hold the divorce trial, all while paying particular attention to the various pitfalls that can cause a Defendant to waive their defense of lack of personal jurisdiction by participating in the proceedings. The trial court did not conduct hearings on any of the subsequent motions made through counsel, and rendered a divorce decree and orders relating to division of property, including “specific directives as it relates to the parties’ property, including bank accounts and debts.” Client retained Attorney Anthony Teesdale for the appeal, and after a standard briefing schedule, the SD Supreme Court reversed and remanded on appeal, holding as follows: [¶32.] We therefore conclude that the circuit court erred when it entered orders relating to the division of property and when it imposed obligations on Geary personally. On remand, the circuit court is directed to vacate these directives from the judgment and decree of divorce. The SD Supreme Court held that while the defense of personal jurisdiction is easily waived, the Defendant’s pro se’ affidavit was adequate to preserve it, counsel's legal maneuvering during the pendency of the case at the trial court level did not constitute waiver of personal jurisdiction, notwithstanding the fact the words “personal jurisdiction” were not specifically set forth in client's first pro se affidavit. The decision was unanimous (5-0), with opinion authored by Justice DeVaney., 2023
- South Dakota Firefighter Certification The SD Certified Firefighter Course is the foundation of the SD Fire Service Training Program. Course curriculum follows the NFPA 1001 (2019 edition) Standard for Fire Fighter Professional Qualifications for Firefighter I and Firefighter II., 2019
- Since 2019, Tony has been a firefighter with the Brookings Volunteer Fire Department. Handling 200-300 calls each year, the fire department serves not only the City of Brookings but certain areas outside of city limits. The Fire Department trains each Tuesday and is dedicated to providing effective and efficient services to the community. Tony is a proud firefighter on Engine 4., 2019
- Avvo rating of “Excellent”
- University of South Dakota, Bachelor of Sciences Degree, 2008-2012
- Drawing the Waters Around the Islands of Justice: Opportunities in Rural Practice for New Law School Graduates, The Federal Lawyer, 2014
Selections
- Rising Stars: 2024 - 2025
