Business Details
Your Trusted Legal Partner in South Dakota
Bangs McCullen Law Firm Law Firm has been a cornerstone of legal excellence in South Dakota since the 1880s, rooted in a legacy of frontier service by founder A.W. Bangs. Our firm combines over 140 years of experience with a collaborative team approach, ensuring clients receive personalized attention from attorneys, paralegals, and support staff. Specializing in diverse practice areas including business litigation, family law, criminal defense, and real estate law, we serve individuals and businesses across South Dakota and beyond. Our attorneys are licensed in multiple states and tribal courts, reflecting our commitment to broad legal expertise. With offices in Rapid City and Sioux Falls, we prioritize creative problem-solving and client-focused strategies to deliver results-driven outcomes.Our team includes seasoned litigators, former military legal advisors, and specialists in estate planning, healthcare law, and corporate transactions. We maintain a strong tradition of community service and professional leadership, with attorneys recognized in Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, and national legal organizations. From complex civil litigation to straightforward legal matters, our firm provides tailored solutions grounded in decades of courtroom experience and ethical practice. We pride ourselves on accessibility, offering consultations in both office locations with flexible scheduling to meet client needs. This enduring dedication to excellence has solidified our reputation as one of South Dakota's premier law firms.
Services
Business Litigation
Construction Law
Criminal Defense
Family Law
Estate Planning
Real Estate Law
Tax Law
Medical Malpractice
Corporate Transactions
Landlord Rights
Highlights and features
- We have over 140 years of combined legal experience across multiple practice areas
- Our team approach ensures access to multidisciplinary expertise for complex cases
- Attorneys recognized in Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, and national legal organizations
- Licensed to practice in six states and multiple tribal courts
- Proven track record in both jury trials and appellate courts
What people say
Highest-quality legal services
Impressive attention to detail
Strong family values
Top-notch reputation
Calm and empathetic manner
Services
Business Litigation
Our business litigation team handles complex commercial disputes with strategic courtroom representation. We represent corporations and entrepreneurs in contract disputes, partnership conflicts, and business torts. Our attorneys combine trial experience with settlement negotiation skills to protect clients' financial interests while maintaining business relationships.
Family Law
We provide compassionate yet assertive representation in family law matters including divorce, child custody, and property division. Our attorneys help clients navigate emotionally challenging situations while protecting parental rights and financial interests. We offer mediation services and trial representation across South Dakota.
Criminal Defense
Our criminal defense attorneys represent clients facing felony and misdemeanor charges in state and federal courts. We defend against charges ranging from DUIs to complex white-collar crimes, focusing on preserving clients' rights and minimizing legal consequences through trial advocacy and plea negotiations.
Estate Planning
We help clients create comprehensive estate plans including wills, trusts, and advance directives. Our attorneys advise on probate administration, trust management, and tax-efficient wealth transfer strategies. We serve individuals and families seeking to protect assets for future generations.
Real Estate Law
Our real estate practice covers commercial and residential transactions, zoning disputes, and property litigation. We represent buyers, sellers, and developers in contract negotiations, title issues, and land use matters throughout the Black Hills region.
People
Gregory J. Erlandson
Partner
With 25+ years of experience, Greg Erlandson specializes in business litigation and criminal defense. A former Marine Corps officer and Best Lawyers honoree, he represents clients in complex commercial disputes and serious criminal matters across South Dakota.
Sarah E. Baron Houy
Partner
Sarah Baron Houy focuses on employment law and family law. Recognized for Pro Bono Attorney of the Year awards, she combines trial experience with mediation skills to resolve workplace disputes and family law matters in Rapid City.
Jeff Bratkiewicz
Partner
Jeff Bratkiewicz leads our Sioux Falls litigation practice. With expertise in medical malpractice and product liability defense, he has tried cases in six states and served as federal law clerk to Judge Lyle Strom in Omaha.
Terry G. Westergaard
Managing Partner
As managing partner, Terry Westergaard oversees firm operations while maintaining an active insurance law practice. A former State Bar President, he represents businesses in complex coverage disputes and litigation matters statewide.
Kathryn J. Hoskins
Attorney
Kathryn Hoskins combines nursing experience with legal expertise in healthcare law. As a registered nurse and medical malpractice defense attorney, she represents providers in licensing matters and complex liability cases across South Dakota.
Questions
What areas of law does Bangs McCullen specialize in?
We handle business litigation, family law, criminal defense, real estate law, estate planning, healthcare law, and corporate transactions across South Dakota and neighboring jurisdictions.
Do you offer consultations for new clients?
Yes, we provide initial consultations at both our Rapid City and Sioux Falls offices with flexible scheduling options to accommodate client needs.
Are your attorneys licensed in multiple states?
Our lawyers hold licenses in South Dakota, Nebraska, Missouri, Iowa, Alaska, and the United States Tax Court, with tribal court admissions across six Native American jurisdictions.
How does your team approach complex litigation cases?
We use a collaborative team approach combining senior attorneys' experience with associate attorneys' fresh perspectives to develop comprehensive legal strategies for complex cases.
What experience do you have with appellate cases?
Our attorneys have argued before the South Dakota Supreme Court, Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, and United States Supreme Court, maintaining a strong appellate practice.
Do you handle tribal law matters?
Yes, we represent clients in Rosebud, Pine Ridge, Flandreau, Cheyenne River, Sisseton-Wahpeton, and Standing Rock tribal courts with specialized legal expertise.
