Patrick G. Goetzinger

Patrick G. Goetzinger is a partner at Gunderson, Palmer, Nelson & Ashmore, LLP in Rapid City, South Dakota, and leads the firm’s Business and Estate Planning Group. His practice includes business and estate planning, business transactions, real property law, trusts, and probate. Goetzinger advises family-run businesses, affluent individuals, trust companies, and other clients on ownership, succession, transactions, property interests, fiduciary matters, and long-term planning.

Goetzinger earned a B.S. from the University of South Dakota and a J.D. from the University of South Dakota School of Law. His legal education supports a practice that combines business transactions, estate planning, trust work, and real estate. Decades of experience have added practical depth to that foundation, particularly in matters involving closely held businesses, significant assets, succession decisions, fiduciary duties, and complex ownership arrangements.

Goetzinger serves as lead counsel on major business and real estate transactions and has represented clients in significant South Dakota deals, including a large ranch sale. He advises trust companies and businesses on planning and transactional matters and has long participated in South Dakota’s trust-law development. His work addresses business structures, property transfers, estate planning, probate administration, trusts, and succession issues that require coordinated legal and financial planning.

Patrick G. Goetzinger has held extensive professional leadership roles and is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel and the American College of Real Estate Lawyers. He has served in leadership with the State Bar of South Dakota and related organizations and received the 2022 McKusick Award. His practice combines transactional experience, estate planning knowledge, and professional leadership to help clients manage significant business, trust, property, and succession matters.

Law Office Affiliations

• Attorney, Gunderson, Palmer, Nelson and Ashmore, LLP
• Past President, State Bar of South Dakota
• Fellow, American College of Real Estate Lawyers (2014-Present)
• Past President and Director, South Dakota Bar Foundation
• Member, American Bar Association
• State Chair-Elect, American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (2014)
• Board Member, Youth & Family Services, Inc. (2000-Present)
• Charter Organizer & Director, Youth & Family Services Foundation (2004-Present)
• Director, Western South Dakota Catholic Foundation (1996-Present)
• Executive Appointment, (Its Inception), Governor’s Task Force on Trust Administration Review and Reform (1997-Present)
• Member, The Mt. Rushmore Society
• Member, Prairie Family Business Council (1994-Present)

Licensed State

• South Dakota

Education

• University of South Dakota
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• University of South Dakota
  Bachelor of Science (BS)

Awards & Badges