Brett John Waltner

As an attorney, I am very dedicated to helping my clients through what can be some of the most difficult times in their lives. Whether my clients have been severely injured, arrested, or are experiencing a trying personal time involving a marriage or family, I take pride in being the person they trust to guide them through the process. I stand up for my clients if they are being treated unfairly. I try to instill a calming and reasonable influence on my clients while fighting for their interests. I realize legal situations can be very complex, frightening and hard to understand and I really enjoy being able to translate complicated legal concepts into simple, understandable terms to both my clients and jurors.

I am originally from Larchwood, Iowa. I attended the University of Sioux Falls where I studied business and played baseball. Following my time at USF, I attended the University of South Dakota School of Law where I earned my law degree in 2007. I started my legal career as a Deputy State’s Attorney in Minnehaha County. During my time as a prosecutor, I was able to handle a wide variety of cases, ranging from simple traffic tickets to 1st Degree Murder.

I enjoyed my time as a prosecutor as it allowed me to gain invaluable experience in the courtroom, handling approximately 15 jury trials and hundreds of court trials, plea hearings, preliminary hearings, sentencings, and other hearings. I decided to leave that role in 2011 to open a small law practice in Tea, South Dakota. Since that time I have been in private practice and have spent my career helping people through challenging personal times, something I have found very rewarding. I currently work in the areas of personal injury, criminal defense, family law, school-related issues, and other general litigation.

My wife and I reside in Tea with our three children. We love the small-town feel of Tea and cherish the great relationships we’ve made in the community. Since moving there in 2009, I’ve been able to participate on the boards of Tea Economic Development Corporation, the Tea Community Foundation, the Compass Center, and the River of Hope.

I personally enjoy anything related to sports, whether high school, college, or professional, and love watching my children grow up and participate in their activities.