Tom Welk is the first recipient of this award, which was created to recognize exceptional dedication to the defense practice of civil litigation in South Dakota. Tom was previously was awarded the Defense Research Institute’s Fred H. Sievert Outstanding Defense Bar Leader Award. Along with having received these awards, Tom has served the Association well having been a Board of Director, a President, and a long time member. This well-deserved award was presented to Tom at the Association’s annual evening meeting in Deadwood, South Dakota. Congratulations to Tom!