Costello, Porter, Hill, Heisterkamp, Bushnell & Carpenter, LLP

Costello Porter is one of South Dakota's most established law firms, serving clients since 1889 with deep roots throughout the northern Great Plains. The firm handles corporate, family, civil litigation, employment, property, and estate matters for individuals, businesses, and Fortune 500 companies, with five attorneys bringing over 50 years of individual experience and recognition in Best Lawyers of America and Chambers USA.

About

Costello Porter has been serving clients in Rapid City since 1889, making it one of South Dakota's most established law firms. With 125 years of continuous practice, the firm was already providing legal services when South Dakota achieved statehood, and it continues to maintain deep roots in the region and throughout the northern Great Plains.

The firm handles a broad spectrum of legal matters across corporate, family, civil litigation, employment, property, and trusts and estates practice areas. In corporate work, Costello Porter guides businesses through incorporation, structuring, management, and ownership transfers, serving entities of all sizes. The firm's family law practice applies current legal knowledge to help clients navigate sensitive personal matters. Its civil litigation team represents both plaintiffs and defendants in disputes involving contract breaches, property disagreements, will contests, and accident claims, among other issues.

Employment law work focuses on resolving disputes between employers and employees, including discrimination claims, wrongful termination allegations, and compensation disagreements through litigation, mediation, and negotiated settlement. The property law group has represented buyers, sellers, brokers, and lenders across commercial and residential transactions, land acquisitions, development projects, and eminent domain proceedings. In estate planning and administration, attorneys draft wills and various trust structures—including living trusts, asset protection trusts, and dynasty trusts—and assist with trust and estate administration and contested litigation.

Costello Porter's client base spans individuals, small and mid-sized businesses, and major corporations, including Fortune 500 companies. The firm has worked with medical clinics and surgical centers, insurance and bonding companies, banking and construction firms, licensed professionals such as doctors and engineers, tribal governments, and significant employers throughout South Dakota, North Dakota, and Wyoming.

Five of the firm's attorneys bring more than 50 years of individual experience. Many have clerked for the South Dakota Supreme Court, state circuit courts, and federal courts. The firm's lawyers maintain active memberships in the South Dakota and American Bar Associations, the South Dakota Trial Lawyers Association, and prestigious organizations such as the American Board of Trial Advocates and the American College of Trial Lawyers. Attorneys are recognized in Best Lawyers of America and Chambers USA.

Recent notable results include a complete "not guilty" verdict obtained by attorneys Jonathan P. McCoy and Garrett J. Keegan in a criminal defense matter in Pennington County Circuit Court in February 2024, with the jury returning its unanimous verdict in less than an hour.

The firm welcomes initial inquiries at no charge. Contact Costello Porter at (605) 343-2410 to discuss your legal needs.

Overview compiled from the firm's website