Atty. Brett Koenecke

Atty. Brett Koenecke

BRETT KOENECKE was raised in Clear Lake, SD. He is proud to be a fourth generation graduate of Clear Lake High School.

Pierre Pierre 31 yrs experience 31 year
Call (605) 301-0156 Book Appointment

Profile Summary

About Brett Koenecke at a glance

Brett Koenecke is a Partner based in Pierre, South Dakota, practicing at May, Adam, Gerdes & Thompson LLP. They have 31+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1995. Their practice focuses on probate, estate planning, real estate, government, and energy. Admitted to practice in Wisconsin (1995), South Dakota (1995), U.S. District Court, Western District of Wisconsin and U.S. District Court, District of South Dakota (1995), and U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit U.S. Supreme Court (1996). Educated at University of Wisconsin (J.D., 1994) and South Dakota State University (B.S. Economics, 1990). Recognitions include AV Preeminent. Active member of State Bar of Wisconsin State Bar of South Dakota. Serands clients in Pierre, SD and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • BRETT KOENECKE was raised in Clear Lake, SD
  • He is proud to be a fourth generation graduate of Clear Lake High School
  • He went on to South Dakota State University, where he earned a B.S., with honors, in Economics
  • He earned a J.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, in December 1994, and has been in private practice in Pierre since 1995
  • Brett has been registered as a lobbyist at the South Dakota Legislature for over 25 years
  • He's successfully represented many clients over that time, and as a result has very deep experience in many areas
  • His current regular clients include: • South Dakota Bankers Association • South Dakota Electric Utility Companies • South Dakota Dental Association • CenturyLink • Avangrid Renewables • Energy Transfer • Geronimo Energy • Harms Oil • South Dakota State University Alumni Association • South Dakota Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America He is general counsel to: • South Dakota Bankers Association • South Dakota Electric Utility Companies • South Dakota Dental Association • South Dakota Community Foundation • South Dakota One Call Board • Build Dakota Scholarship Program • Bishop Hagmeier and the South Dakota Synod of the Evangelical Church in America
  • Brett practices energy and telecommunications regulatory law
  • He is frequently found practicing at the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission, appearing on behalf of his clients who include Montana-Dakota Utilities, MidAmerican Energy, Avangrid Renewables, Energy Transfer Partners, Geronimo Energy, ENGIE North America, and others
  • He's been lead counsel in any number of proceedings before the PUC, including electric and gas rate cases, large load electrical choice petitions, territory cases, consumer complaints and others
  • Brett's expertise is in siting and permitting large energy projects
  • He has been lead counsel in siting South Dakota's largest energy projects, including the Dakota Access Pipe Line, Keystone and KeystoneXL Pipelines, and several high voltage electricity transmission lines and wind farms
  • He does regulatory, tax, government relations, and land acquisition for such projects
  • Brett represents a number of South Dakota’s resorts and hunting lodges and their operators
  • He maintains a practice for local clients including transactions, business and estate planning and probate matters
  • Brett is a member of the State Bar of South Dakota and the State Bar of Wisconsin
  • He is admitted to practice before the courts of the State of South Dakota, the District of South Dakota, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court

Practice Areas Explained

Brett Koenecke's Areas of Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Brett Koenecke handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

Probate

Brett Koenecke is one of 128,014 probate attorneys indexed nationally. Browse probate attorneys in South Dakota →

Estate Planning & Probate

An estate planning attorney prepares wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives to protect your family and pass on your assets.

Brett Koenecke is one of 226,537 estate planning attorneys indexed nationally. Browse estate planning attorneys in South Dakota →

Real Estate Law

Real estate attorneys handle home purchases, sales, commercial transactions, title disputes, and landlord-tenant matters.

Brett Koenecke is one of 316,149 real estate attorneys indexed nationally. Browse real estate attorneys in South Dakota →

Government & Administrative Law

Attorneys for administrative law, agency hearings, government contracts, licensing, and public benefits.

Brett Koenecke is one of 132,225 government attorneys indexed nationally. Browse government attorneys in South Dakota →

Energy & Utilities Law

Energy attorneys for oil & gas, renewables, utility regulation, and energy sector transactions.

Brett Koenecke is one of 36,230 energy attorneys indexed nationally. Browse energy attorneys in South Dakota →

Jurisdictional Context

Why local counsel matters in South Dakota

Practicing law in South Dakota. Legal matters in South Dakota are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Pierre are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate South Dakota state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in South Dakota brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in South Dakota courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

Looking for additional South Dakota attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Pierre or all attorneys in South Dakota.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about Brett Koenecke

Where is Brett Koenecke's law office located?
Brett Koenecke's law practice is located in Pierre, South Dakota. The firm is May, Adam, Gerdes & Thompson LLP. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does Brett Koenecke handle?
Brett Koenecke focuses on probate, estate planning, real estate, government, energy. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in South Dakota.
How long has Brett Koenecke practiced law?
Brett Koenecke has 31+ years of legal experience and has been licensed since 1995.
Where did Brett Koenecke go to law school?
Brett Koenecke earned their education at (J.D., 1994); (B.S. Economics, 1990).
How can I contact Brett Koenecke for a consultation?
You can contact Brett Koenecke directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.
What awards or recognition has Brett Koenecke received?
Brett Koenecke's notable recognition includes: AV Preeminent.

Education

J.D.
University of Wisconsin
- 1994
B.S. Economics
South Dakota State University
- 1990

Awards

AV Preeminent

Bar Admissions

Wisconsin
Admitted: 1995
South Dakota
Admitted: 1995
U.S. District Court, Western District of Wisconsin and U.S. District Court, District of South Dakota
Admitted: 1995
U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit U.S. Supreme Court
Admitted: 1996

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