Steven M. Johnson

Steven M. Johnson is a native of South Dakota, and was born in Sioux Falls. He attended Augustana College where he graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1973. He then graduated from the University Of South Dakota School Of Law in 1976 as a member of the Thomas Sterling Honor Society and the South Dakota Law Review. Steve continues to be a frequent lecturer at the South Dakota School of Law.

His many professional affiliations and distinctions include membership in the American College of Trial Lawyers, International Trial Lawyers Association, American Board of Trial Advocates and the Association of Trial Lawyers of America, where he has lectured during national meetings. He is past president of the South Dakota Trial Lawyers Association and was elected the South Dakota Trial Lawyer of the Year in 1990. He has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America for ten years in the areas of products liability and civil litigation.

Steve specializes in civil litigation, including franchise litigation, products liability and medical malpractice. He has recovered more than $100,000,000 for his clients, making him one of the most successful attorneys in South Dakota history.

Steve and his wife, Becky, have five children, five grandchildren and two dogs.

Areas of Practice

• Litigation
• Civil Trials
• Personal Injury Law
• Products Liability
• Business Litigation
• Civil Litigation
• Franchise Litigation
• Medical Malpractice
• Nursing Home Negligence

Litigation Percentage

• 100% of Practice Devoted to Litigation

• South Dakota, 1976
• U.S. Court of Appeals 8th Circuit, 1980
• U.S. District Court District of South Dakota, 1976
• U.S. Supreme Court, 1997

• University of South Dakota School of Law, Vermillion, South Dakota
  • J.D. – 1976
  • Honors: With Honors
  • Honors: With Distinction
  • Honors: Thomas Sterling Honor Society
  • Law Review: Member of Law Review, Published Vol 20 : 2
  • Law Review: South Dakota Law Review, Member, Board of Editors, 1975 – 1976

• Augustana College, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
  • B.A. magna cum laude – 1973

• 1990 South Dakota Trial Lawyer of the Year
• The Best Lawyers in America for ten years in the areas of Products Liability and Civil Litigation

• American Bar Association, Member
• American College of Trial Lawyers, Member
• American Board of Trial Advocates, Member
• South Dakota Trial Lawyers Association, Member
• The Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Delegate, 1985 – 1987
• South Dakota Trial Lawyers Association, Member, Board of Governors, 1985 – 1988
• South Dakota Trial Lawyers Association, President, 1987 – 1988
• International Academy of Trial Lawyers
• South Dakota Trial Lawyer, President

• Author: “South Dakota’s Lakes: A Valuable Resource in Need of Land Use Protection,”, Vol. 20 South Dakota Law Review, 1975