Atty. Mike Shaw
Mike Shaw was born in Canton, South Dakota, on July 18, 1957, and was raised in Pierre. He attended the University of South Dakota and later graduated from Western Kentucky University in 1981 with a bachelor's degree.
Insurance & More Attorney · Serving Pierre, SD · 39+ Years Experience
Profile Summary
About Mike Shaw at a Glance
Mike Shaw is a Partner based in Pierre, South Dakota, practicing at May, Adam, Gerdes & Thompson LLP. They have 39+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1987. Their practice focuses on personal injury, government, insurance, appellate, and entertainment. Admitted to practice in South Dakota (1987) and U.S. District Court, District of South Dakota (1987). Educated at University of South Dakota (J.D., 1987) and Western Kentucky University (B.A., 1980). Recognitions include AV Preeminent. Active member of The State Bar of South Dakota American Bar Association South Dakota Trial Lawyers Association. Serves clients in Pierre, SD and the surrounding metropolitan area.
Get Legal Help from Mike Shaw in Pierre
Sign up free and choose one of the two methods below.
Have a legal question? Sign up free, submit it through the Ask the Attorney module and receive a focused answer from a specialist.
- Free to ask a question
- Answers from specialist attorneys
- Optional private / anonymous question
Request an online video meeting or an in-person consultation at the attorney's office. Pick a time that works for you and share the details securely.
- Online video meeting
- In-person at the attorney's office
- Secure messaging and payment
About Mike Shaw
- Mike Shaw was born in Canton, South Dakota, on July 18, 1957, and was raised in Pierre
- He attended the University of South Dakota and later graduated from Western Kentucky University in 1981 with a bachelor's degree
- Mike continued his education at the School of Law, University of South Dakota, graduating with a Juris Doctor degree in 1987
- While in law school, he was a member of the Delta Theta Phi legal fraternity and was president of the Student Bar Association, 1986 to 1987
- He was admitted to the South Dakota Bar in 1987 and was admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the District of South Dakota in 1988
- Mike served as law clerk to the Honorable James W. Anderson, presiding judge of the Sixth Judicial Circuit for the State of South Dakota, from 1987 to 1988 and joined the firm in June, 1988
- He is a member of the South Dakota State Bar Association, the South Dakota Defense Trial Lawyers Association, and the International Association of Gaming Regulators
- Mike is an of-counsel attorney at the May Adam Firm in Pierre
- He has extensive lobbying experience and significant experience in administrative law focusing on regulatory practices, routinely appearing before State Regulatory agencies such as the SD Division of Insurance and the Division of Banking, representing companies and agents
- Mike has served on a variety of boards under appointment by various Governors
- Governor Mike Rounds appointed him to the Risk Pool Advisory Board
- The Advisory Board assisted and advised the Risk Pool Governing Board, the entity responsible for managing and directing South Dakota’s recently created Risk Pool, the State-operated health insurance for high-risk individuals
- Mike also worked extensively on the legislation creating the Risk Pool which was passed during a special legislative session in June 2003
- Mike was also nominated by Governor William Janklow to the Governor's Task Force on Workers' Compensation
- The Task Force did a detailed study on the laws of workers' compensation in South Dakota and made specific legislative recommendations to the South Dakota Legislature
- As a result of that Task Force, significant changes in the laws of workers' compensation were enacted
- In the past, Mike has also lobbied extensively in the areas of workers' compensation, health insurance, and property casualty insurance
Practice Areas Explained
Mike Shaw's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Mike Shaw handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Pierre.
Personal Injury in Pierre
Personal injury attorneys help accident victims recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain & suffering. Most work on contingency — no fee unless you win.
Mike Shaw is one of 262,557 personal injury attorneys indexed nationally. Browse personal injury attorneys in South Dakota →
Government & Administrative Law in Pierre
Attorneys for administrative law, agency hearings, government contracts, licensing, and public benefits.
Mike Shaw is one of 131,162 government attorneys indexed nationally. Browse government attorneys in South Dakota →
Insurance Law in Pierre
Insurance attorneys for coverage disputes, bad faith claims, denied claims, and policy disputes.
Mike Shaw is one of 120,903 insurance attorneys indexed nationally. Browse insurance attorneys in South Dakota →
Appellate Practice in Pierre
Appellate attorneys for civil and criminal appeals at state and federal court.
Mike Shaw is one of 85,572 appellate attorneys indexed nationally. Browse appellate attorneys in South Dakota →
Entertainment & Sports Law in Pierre
Entertainment lawyers for music, film, sports contracts, talent representation, and IP licensing.
Mike Shaw is one of 45,619 entertainment attorneys indexed nationally. Browse entertainment attorneys in South Dakota →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in Pierre
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 venue, 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.
Pierre Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a Pierre-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.
Looking for additional South Dakota attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Pierre or all attorneys in South Dakota.
Frequently Asked
Common Questions About Mike Shaw
Where is Mike Shaw's law office located?
What practice areas does Mike Shaw handle?
How long has Mike Shaw practiced law?
Where did Mike Shaw go to law school?
How can I contact Mike Shaw for a consultation?
What awards or recognition has Mike Shaw received?
Professional Profile
Why Clients in Pierre Choose Mike Shaw
Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish Mike Shaw's practice in the field of personal injury, government, insurance, appellate, and entertainment.
Decade-Tested Legal Experience
Mike Shaw brings 39+ years of hands-on legal practice — enough to have navigated the recurring fact patterns, procedural traps, and negotiation dynamics that shape case outcomes.
Multi-State Bar Admission
Licensed in South Dakota and U.S. District Court, District of South Dakota, Mike Shaw can represent clients in cases that span state lines or require counsel in multiple jurisdictions.
Broad Practice Area Coverage
Covering personal injury, government, and insurance, Mike Shaw can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.
Local Presence in Pierre
A Pierre-based practice means Mike Shaw attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.
Case Types
Common Legal Issues Mike Shaw Handles in Pierre
Below is a representative sample of the types of matters Mike Shaw has experience with under South Dakota law. If your situation involves one of these case categories, this attorney may be well positioned to help you understand your options.
This list is illustrative, not exhaustive. Contact Mike Shaw directly to discuss the specifics of your situation.
Search Reference
How People Find Mike Shaw Online
Prospective clients searching for legal help in Pierre commonly use a combination of the attorney's name and their specific legal need. The following search terms frequently lead people to this profile and to attorneys like Mike Shaw.
If any of the above matches what you searched for, you've found the right profile. Use the contact options at the top of this page to get in touch with Mike Shaw directly.
Mike Shaw's Practice Areas & Specializations
Education & Law School Background
Awards & Professional Honors
Bar Admissions & Licensed Jurisdictions
Client Reviews & Ratings — Mike Shaw
No reviews yet.