Wendy Kloeppner

Wendy Kloeppner is a partner at Goosmann Law in Sioux Falls whose services include Employment Law and Litigation Trial Law. Wendy brings more than two decades of experience in criminal and civil litigation, along with substantial government and regulatory work. She advises clients on disputes and employment matters with a background that includes prosecution, public-sector counseling, agency leadership, legislative analysis, and courtroom practice.

Wendy earned a Juris Doctor from the University of South Dakota School of Law with an emphasis on Constitutional Law and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Bemidji State University. Her education supports a practice that requires close analysis of statutes, constitutional issues, employment relationships, government authority, and litigation procedure. She has also published in the South Dakota Law Review and presented on professional topics.

Kloeppner previously served as a State’s Attorney in Lake, Hughes, Meade, and Butte Counties, where she prosecuted criminal cases, managed grand jury and preliminary proceedings, and advised county officials. She also represented the South Dakota Department of Social Services in abuse and neglect proceedings and served as Director of the Division of Professional and Occupational Licensing, where she worked on legislative analysis, drafting, and agency relations.

Wendy Kloeppner combines courtroom experience with a detailed understanding of government operations, regulation, and workplace issues. She has participated in professional task forces and advisory bodies addressing prosecution, child welfare, and indigent defense. Wendy brings that broad perspective to employment and litigation matters, helping clients understand legal obligations, evaluate risk, respond to disputes, and develop practical strategies for complex problems involving people, policy, and procedure.

Law Office Affiliations

• Partner, Goosmann Law
• Member, Board of Bar Commissioners, State Bar of South Dakota (2008-2009)
• President, Young Lawyers Section, State Bar of South Dakota (2007-2008)
• Member, Board of (elected position), South Dakota State’s Attorney’s Association (2014-2016)
• Member, South Dakota Jolene’s Law Task Force (2015-2016)
• Member, South Dakota Unified Judicial System Committee on Indigent Defense (2015-2019)
• Member, South Dakota Legislature House Bill 1064 – Indigent Legal Services Task Force (2023)
• Member, Advisory Board, South Dakota Center for the Prevention of Child Maltreatment, University of South Dakota (2016)
• Member (January –June ), South Dakota Open Meetings Commission (2024)

Licensed State

• South Dakota

Education

• University of South Dakota, School of Law, Vermillion, SD
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Bemidji State University, Bemidji, MN
  Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice

Awards & Badges