James E. Moore

James E. Moore is a shareholder at Woods Fuller in Sioux Falls whose practice focuses on litigation and government relations. He handles trial work involving government liability, eminent domain, insurance disputes, business litigation, and minority-shareholder claims. His practice requires close attention to evidence, procedural strategy, and the legal duties of public and private parties. He represents clients in disputes where financial interests, property rights, government conduct, insurance obligations, or business ownership issues can lead to significant contested proceedings.

James earned a B.A. from St. Olaf College, graduating summa cum laude, and a J.D. from the University of South Dakota, where he was a member of the Sterling Honor Society. During law school, he served as an articles editor for the South Dakota Law Review. After graduation, he clerked for the Honorable C. Arlen Beam of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. His academic and appellate experience strengthened his research, writing, and litigation skills.

James joined Woods Fuller in 1991 and has built a trial practice involving public-sector liability, property disputes, insurance cases, commercial conflicts, and minority-shareholder claims. His clerkship experience provides additional perspective on appellate procedure and legal analysis. He has worked on matters requiring careful development of factual records and persuasive briefing as well as courtroom advocacy. His litigation background allows him to advise clients on the strengths, risks, and procedural demands of disputes before they reach trial and through later stages of a case.

James E. Moore became a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers in 2025 and has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America since 2007. He is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, the South Dakota Defense Lawyers Association, and Defense Research Institute. His combination of trial experience, appellate insight, and professional involvement supports clients facing complex disputes involving government liability, insurance, eminent domain, business litigation, and ownership conflicts.

Law Office Affiliations

• Shareholder, Woods Fuller Shultz & Smith P.C.
• Member, State Bar of South Dakota
• Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers
• Member, American Board of Trial Advocates
• Member, South Dakota Defense Lawyers Association
• Member, South Dakota State Bar Law School Committee
• Past Board Chair, Volunteers of America, Dakotas
• Past Board Chair, First Lutheran Church
• Past Board Chair, South Dakota Symphony Orchestra
• Member, Defense Research Institute
• Former Member, Civil Service Board for the City of Sioux Falls

Licensed State

• South Dakota

Education

• University of South Dakota
  J.D., Sterling Honor Society
• St. Olaf College
  Bachelor of Arts (BA) (Summa Cum Laude)

Awards & Badges