David R. Strait

David R. Strait is a Partner at Austin, Hinderaker, Hopper, Strait & Benson LLP in Watertown, South Dakota. His current practice includes estate planning and wills, trust law, probate, business and corporate law, and real estate. Strait advises individuals, families, and business clients on planning, administration, ownership, and transaction issues, with an emphasis on structuring legal arrangements that fit practical financial and long-term objectives.

Strait earned a B.S. from the University of South Dakota in 1983 and a J.D. from the University of South Dakota in 1986. After law school, he served as a law clerk for the Third Judicial Circuit of South Dakota. That background provided experience with court procedure and legal analysis before he moved into private practice, where his work developed around business law, trusts, estate planning and administration, and real estate.

He joined the firm in 1987 and has built a practice addressing corporate and business matters, trust planning, estate administration, and real property issues. Strait helps clients prepare wills and other estate planning documents, administer estates, structure business arrangements, and handle transactions involving real estate. His experience also includes contracts, civil litigation, appeals, and administrative matters, giving him perspective on both planning and disputes when legal issues overlap.

David R. Strait brings decades of private-practice experience to clients making decisions about property, business interests, and wealth transfer. He focuses on careful planning, clear documentation, and practical legal guidance that can reduce uncertainty for families and organizations. Strait’s background across estate planning, probate, business law, and real estate allows him to address connected legal issues while helping clients preserve assets, complete transactions, and carry out long-term plans.

Law Office Affiliations

• Partner, Austin Law
• Member, State Bar of South Dakota
• Member, Codington County Bar Association

Licensed State

• South Dakota

Education

• University of South Dakota School of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• University of South Dakota
  Bachelor’s Degree

Awards & Badges