Practice areas: Personal Injury, Business Litigation, Insurance Coverage; view more
Licensed in South Dakota since: 1974
Education: Washburn University School of Law
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2007 - 2025 Call today:
605-961-5974
Goodsell + Oviatt
246 Founders Park DriveSuite 201
Rapid City, SD 57701 Visit website
Details
G. Verne Goodsell, the visionary behind Goodsell + Oviatt in Rapid City, South Dakota, has carved out a remarkable reputation in civil litigation. His legal prowess shines through in cases where individuals have suffered due to others' carelessness. Authorized to practice law in South Dakota, he also holds credentials to appear before various tribal courts, the U.S. District Court for the District of South Dakota, the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the 8th and 10th circuits and the Supreme Court of the United States.
Whether it's handling the aftermath of truck and vehicle collisions, navigating the complexities of medical malpractice, addressing premises liability or tackling defective product issues, Mr. Goodsell is a beacon of hope for his clients. His legal journey extends into the intricate world of bad faith and insurance coverage disputes.
Over the years, Mr. Goodsell has secured millions in settlements and jury awards for those he represents while maintaining a sterling reputation for integrity that resonates with his peers. His accolades include an AV Preeminent* peer-review rating through Martindale-Hubbell and a “Superb” rating from Avvo, along with repeated recognition in The Best Lawyers in America.
Mr. Goodsell's academic journey began with a Bachelor of Science in education from Northern State College in Aberdeen, South Dakota, followed by a Master of Science in education in 1970. He then pursued his legal studies at Washburn University School of Law in Topeka, Kansas, earning his Juris Doctor in 1973.
Beyond his regional commitments, Mr. Goodsell actively engages with national legal circles, participating in organizations like the American Association of Justice, the American Bar Association, the American Board of Trial Advocates, the Taos Business Retreat Group and the Cooperative Association of Malpractice Attorneys. He has also held leadership roles in the State Bar of South Dakota.
*AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished and Martindale-Hubbell Notable are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell® is the facilitator of a peer-review rating process. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards.
Practice areas
Personal Injury - General: Plaintiff, Business Litigation, Insurance Coverage, Personal Injury - Medical Malpractice: PlaintiffFocus areas
Animal Bites, Assault, Bad Faith Insurance, Birth Injury, Brain Injury, Construction Accident, Delayed or Incorrect Diagnosis, Dental Malpractice, Dram Shop Laws, Informed Consent, Insurance, Insurance Defense, Medical Malpractice, Motor Vehicle Accidents, Non-Compete Agreements, Personal Injury - Defense, Personal Injury - Plaintiff, Premises Liability - Plaintiff, Sexual Abuse - Plaintiff, Slip and Fall, Toxic Mold, Trade Secret, Trucking Accidents, Wrongful Death
- 30% Personal Injury - General: Plaintiff
- 30% Business Litigation
- 30% Insurance Coverage
- 10% Personal Injury - Medical Malpractice: Plaintiff
First Admitted: 1974, South Dakota
Professional Webpage: http://www.goodselloviatt.com/lawyers/verne-goodsell
- State of South Dakota
- United States District Court for South Dakota – February 10, 1977
- United States Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit
- United States Court of Appeals, Tenth Circuit
- Supreme Court of the United States – April 27, 2005
- Various Tribal Courts
- The State Bar of South Dakota, President (2003-2004)
- The State Bar of South Dakota, Commissioner (1984-1987)
- The State Bar of South Dakota, Secretary, Professionalism Committee (1989-1990)
- The State Bar of South Dakota, Disciplinary Committee (1990-1996)
- The State Bar of South Dakota, Advertising Committee (1999)
- The State Bar of South Dakota, Chairman, Multi-Jurisdictional Practice/Internet (2000-2001)
- The State Bar of South Dakota, Chairman, Ethics (2000-2001)
- Dakota Plains Legal Services, Board of Directors (Appointed 9, 2009)
- South Dakota Equal Justice Commission
- South Dakota Trial Lawyers Association, Member
- South Dakota Trial Lawyers Association, Secretary/Treasurer, 2012
- South Dakota Trial Lawyers Association, President Elect, 2013
- South Dakota Trial Lawyers Association, President, 2014-2015
- American Association for Justice, Member
- American Association for Justice, State Delegate (2006-2009)
- American Bar Association, Member
- American Bar Association, Vice Chairman, Tort and Insurance Practice Section
- Pennington County Bar Association, Member
- Pennington County Bar Association, President (1981)
- American Board of Trial Advocates
- South Dakota State Commission of Engineering, Architectural and Land Surveying Examiners, Counsel (1995-2003)
- Federation of Associations of Regulatory Boards (1997-2003)
- CAMA (Cooperative Association of Malpractice Attorneys), 2008-Present
- TAOS Injury Attorneys, 2010-Present
- Military Affairs Committee (2008)
- Delta Dental of South Dakota, Director (1980-1985) (1992-present)
- Christian Life Ministries, Director (1985-2000)
- Black Hills Playhouse, Director (1999-2002)
- Rapid City Cosmopolitan Club, President (1981-1982) & Director
- Club Champions of America - 1991, 1989, 1998
- Young Life Committee, 2011
- Young Life Committee, Chair, 2012-2015
- Best Lawyers in America (Selected), Bet-the-Company Litigation, 2006-Present
- Best Lawyers in America (Selected), Banking and Finance Litigation, 2006-Present
- Best Lawyers in America (Selected), Construction Litigation, 2006-Present
- Best Lawyers in America (Selected), Intellectual Property Litigation, 2006-Present
- Best Lawyers in America (Selected), Commercial Litigation, 2006-Present
- Super Lawyers (Selected), Great Plains Super Lawyers, 2007-2017
- Martindale-Hubbell, AV Preeminent Attorney - highest rating
- Washburn University School of Law - Doctor of Jurisprudence
- Northern State College - Graduate School, Master of Science in Education
- Northern State College - Graduate School, Bachelor of Science in Education
- Oklahoma Wesleyan University - Associate in Arts
- SDTLA - "Stories that Live in the Hearts of the Jurors" April 2018
- Insurance Abuse CAMA (Cooperative Association of Malpractice Attorneys) 2009
- Never be a Victim USD Law School's Orientation Week 2003, 2004, 2005
- Engineering Expedition 2003 SD Engineering Society 43rd Annual Conference, Pierre, SD, April 2-4 – "Ethics and Regulations"
- Transactional Law and Litigation – State Bar of South Dakota Omni Tucson National Golf Resort, Tucson, AZ, March 13 – 15, 2000
- Internet Advertising SD State Bar Commissioners' Meeting, Deadwood, SD January 7, 2000
- Preparing a Persuasive Settlement Brochure Black Hills Legal Professionals Association November 5, 1999
- Adverse Possession/Litigation South Dakota State Bar - Trial Potpourri CLE in Scottsdale, AZ March 9 - 11, 1998
- Bad Faith Pennington County Legal Secretaries Association Seminar May 16, 1990
- Analysis of the Defendant's Case in a Civil Lawsuit - Pennington County Legal Secretaries Association Seminar November 7, 1987
- Structured Settlement Black Hills Claims Association Seminar 1981
- SDTLA - "Simplifying Legal Principles: Helping Juries Understand Core Issues In Disputes." May 2011
Office location for G. Verne Goodsell
246 Founders Park Drive
Suite 201
Rapid City, SD 57701
Phone: 605-961-5974
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2007 - 2025
