Verne Goodsell

Verne Goodsell is an attorney at Goodsell Oviatt in Rapid City whose practice focuses on insurance bad faith, personal injury, birth trauma, medical malpractice, and business and commercial litigation. He represents clients in serious injury and insurance disputes that require detailed case preparation and substantial trial experience. His work includes complex claims involving medical injuries, insurer conduct, and commercial conflicts. He has built a litigation practice centered on pursuing compensation and accountability through negotiation, trial, and related court proceedings.

Verne earned a Doctor of Jurisprudence from Washburn University School of Law. He also earned a Master of Science in Education and a Bachelor of Science in Education from Northern State College, along with an Associate in Arts from Oklahoma Wesleyan University. His broad academic background supports clear communication and structured analysis in complicated litigation. Legal training and years of courtroom practice help him evaluate medical, insurance, personal injury, and commercial evidence while explaining difficult legal issues to clients.

Verne has handled bad faith litigation, personal injury litigation, birth trauma injury cases, medical injury claims, and business and commercial disputes. His professional record includes a $45.5 million verdict and multiple million-dollar settlements identified by his firm. These matters reflect experience with high-value claims that can involve extensive evidence, expert testimony, insurance issues, and contested liability. His litigation background helps clients prepare for disputes where careful factual development and courtroom readiness can shape the available legal options.

Verne Goodsell has served as president of the State Bar of South Dakota, the South Dakota Trial Lawyers Association, and the Pennington County Bar Association. He has also held leadership roles in national and state professional organizations connected to trial advocacy and legal practice. His long career combines personal injury and insurance litigation with professional service and commercial dispute experience. He continues to represent clients in serious injury, bad faith, medical malpractice, birth trauma, and business litigation matters from Rapid City.

Law Office Affiliations

• Attorney, Goodsell Oviatt
• President, State Bar of South Dakota (2003-2004)
• President, South Dakota Trial Lawyers Association (2014-2015)
• Member and State Delegate, American Association for Justice (2006-2009)
• Member and Vice Chairman, Tort and Insurance Practice Section, American Bar Association
• President, Pennington County Bar Association (1981)
• Board Member, Dakota Plains Legal Services (2009)
• Member, CAMA (Cooperative Association of Malpractice Attorneys) (2008-Present)
• Member, TAOS Injury Attorneys (2010-Present)
• Member, American Board of Trial Advocates
• Member, South Dakota Equal Justice Commission
• Director, Delta Dental of South Dakota (1980-1985)
• Director, Christian Life Ministries (1985-2000)
• Counsel, South Dakota State Commission of Engineering, Architectural and Land Surveying Examiners (1995-2003)
• Member, Federation of Associations of Regulatory Boards

Licensed State

• South Dakota

Education

• Washburn University School of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Northern State College
  Master of Science (MS) in Education
• Northern State College
  Bachelor of Science (BS) in Education
• Oklahoma Wesleyan University
  Associate in Arts

Awards & Badges