Daniel R. Fritz

Daniel Fritz has a unique understanding of the needs of individuals and businesses faced with litigation and has successfully guided numerous entities and individuals through the process. Dan's understanding of the litigation process has been developed over his more than 25 years of practice as an attorney licensed in South Dakota and Minnesota.

Dan began his practice in St. Paul, MN defending claims of professional malpractice against doctors, hospitals, attorneys and architects. His practice expanded with his move to South Dakota providing the opportunity to handle many different types of litigation. He has represented both plaintiffs and defendants in personal injury claims and insurance coverage disputes. Dan has also successfully represented clients in complex, multiparty business and commercial cases and has extensive experience in representing fiduciaries and beneficiaries in a wide variety of litigation involving trust and estate disputes.

Dan is also a qualified neutral under Minnesota Rule 114. Over the course of his career, Dan has successfully represented clients in numerous arbitrations and mediations, involving a wide variety of disputes ranging from personal injury cases and insurance coverage matters to complex business and commercial conflicts.

• Represented the trustee in litigation concerning a multi-million dollar trust involving claims that certain trust document amendments were the product of a lack of competence and undue influence
• Represented a real estate development company in its Fair Housing Act claims against St. Bernard Parish in the New Orleans, LA area
• Represented an industrial equipment manufacturer relative to claims made against it for wrongful death allegedly caused by deficient product design and manufacturing
• Successfully mediated a dram shop and wrongful death claim in Minnesota on behalf of a young boy who lost his mother in a tragic accident
• Represented an entity in a matter involving cyber security claims resulting in a significant theft of funds
• Represent several businesses and fiduciaries in the planning to either strategically pursue or avoid litigation

Professional Activities

State Bar of South Dakota

Minnesota Bar Association

American Bar Association

Recognitions and Accomplishments

Chambers USA, litigation: general commercial, (South Dakota), 2014-2020

The Best Lawyers in America, commercial litigation, insurance law, 2009-2021; "Lawyer of the Year," insurance law (Sioux Falls), 2021

Great Plains Super Lawyers, 2011-2017

Speaking Engagements

"Prevention Is Key – Staying out of Legal Trouble – Key Strategies to Avoid General and Employment-Related Litigation Claims, as well as Corporate and Transactional Tips to Keep Your Company Ahead of the Curve," 2019 South Dakota Manufacturers' Day Summit, September 2019

"Directed Trusts," Trusts and Estates Lunch and Learn Series, Complimentary Seminar, August 2017

"Discovery, Subpoenas, and Protective Orders," Trust and Estates Lunch & Learn Series, Seminar, August 2016

"Avoiding Litigation Part 2: Fiduciary Duties for Trustees," Trusts and Estates Lunch & Learn Series, Seminar, February 2016

Community Activities

Sioux Falls Catholic Schools Board, Member, past President

Priest Pension Administrative Committee for the Catholic Diocese of Sioux Falls, Chairman

East River Legal Services, Board Member

National Parkinson Foundation of South Dakota, Board Member

Capital Campaign for Special Olympics of South Dakota, Leadership Committee Member

University of Minnesota Law School (J.D. 1991)

University of Notre Dame (B.A. 1988)

South Dakota

Minnesota

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit

U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota

U.S. District Court for the District of South Dakota

Sisseton Whapeton Oyate Tribal Court