Richard L. Travis

Richard L. Travis is an attorney with May & Johnson, P.C. in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where his practice focuses on civil litigation, insurance defense, and workers’ compensation. Richard represents clients in contested matters involving claims, coverage-related issues, workplace injuries, and other civil disputes. His long legal career includes both general practice and litigation, giving him experience with a broad range of procedural, evidentiary, and strategic issues that can arise before and during formal court proceedings.

Richard graduated from the University of South Dakota in 1976 and from the University of South Dakota School of Law in 1980. His undergraduate and legal education prepared him for a career that began in general practice and later developed into a focused civil litigation practice. The combination of broad early experience and decades of litigation work supports his ability to evaluate claims, analyze defenses, work with insurers and other parties, and address the practical and legal considerations involved in workers’ compensation matters.

After law school, Richard began working as a general practitioner with Frieberg, Frieberg & Peterson in Beresford, South Dakota. During that period, he served for four years as Deputy State’s Attorney for Union County. He joined May & Johnson in 1990 and has since focused on civil litigation, insurance defense, and workers’ compensation. His prosecutorial and general practice background adds perspective to a litigation career centered on preparing cases, assessing exposure, and representing clients through contested legal processes.

Richard has received an A.V. rating in the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory and has been recognized by Great Plains Super Lawyers. His decades of practice in South Dakota provide substantial familiarity with civil procedure, insurance-related litigation, and workers’ compensation disputes. Richard L. Travis brings long-standing courtroom and claims experience to clients who need careful evaluation of contested matters, practical defense strategy, and steady representation through negotiation, litigation, and resolution.

Law Office Affiliations

• Attorney, May & Johnson, PC
• Bar Commissioner, State Bar of South Dakota (1989 – 1994)
• President, State Bar of South Dakota, Young Lawyers Section (1985 – 1986)
• Board of Governors, South Dakota Trial Lawyers Association (1991 – 1993)
• Member, Second Judicial Circuit Bar Association
• Member, Judicial Qualifications Commission
• Member, South Dakota Defense Lawyers Association
• Member, American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA)
• Member, Defense Research Institute

Licensed State

• South Dakota

Awards & Badges