Bio

Roger Sudbeck grew up in Yankton, South Dakota and attended South Dakota State University, graduating in 1990 with a degree in economics with high honors. From there, he attended law school at the University of Nebraska where he graduated with distinction in 1993. That same year, he joined the Boyce Law Firm and has practiced with the firm ever since. Roger was named partner in 1999.

He handles a broad range of civil litigation, including medical malpractice, construction defects, products liability, and personal injury. Peers and clients praise his jury appeal and easygoing, likable style, and his skills and integrity are unmatched.

Roger and his wife, Sara, have four children who have been actively involved in high school and collegiate activities and athletics. Outside of his practice, he enjoys his kids’ activities and all forms of outdoor activities including running, hiking, golf, biking, boating, and hunting.

Practice Areas

Professional and Community

• American Board of Trial Advocates
• Defense Research Institute (Medical Malpractice Committee State Liaison)
• International Association of Defense Counsel
• South Dakota Defense Lawyers Association
• South Dakota State Bar Association (Ethics Committee 2002-2004) and South Dakota Bar Commissioner (2004-2007)
• Sioux Empire Baseball Association, Youth Baseball Coach (2000-2013)
• Cyclones Baseball Organization, Youth Baseball Coach (2008-2013)
• Cyclones Baseball Organization, Member of Board of Directors (2010-2013)
• President’s Bowl Committee, Sioux Falls Public Schools (2012 – 2015)
• Lincoln High School Booster Club, Vice President (2015)
• Lincoln High School Booster Club, President-Elect (2016)
• Lincoln High School Booster Club, President (2017)

Awards and Recognitions

• Named “Lawyer of the Year” by Best Lawyers^® for:
  • Professional Malpractice Law – Defendants, Sioux Falls (2024)
• Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America^® 2024 for work in:
  • Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants
  • Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
  • Professional Malpractice Law – Defendants
• Martindale Hubbell AV preeminent
• American Board of Trial Advocates since 2006
• Listed in Best Lawyers in America since 2007 with specialties of professional malpractice, medical malpractice and personal injury litigation
• Recognized by Chambers USA as a leading attorney in General Commercial Litigation and Medical Malpractice Defense
• Listed in Great Plains Super Lawyers since 2007-present

Reported Cases and Results

Jury Trials

• Anderson v. Avera Queen of Peace – Davison County, First Judicial Circuit, 2006; Representing Defendant – Defense Verdict
• Ashes v. Avera Sacred Heart – Yankton County, First Judicial Circuit, 2003; Representing Defendant – Admitted Liability; Trial on Damages Only
• Assam v. Jerke Construction – Minnehaha County, Second Judicial Circuit, 2008; Representing Defendant – Defense Verdict
• Brown v. Surgical Institute – Minnehaha County, Second Judicial Circuit, 2016; Representing Defendant – Case dismissed during trial
• Dakota State Bank v. Halter – Moody County, Fourth Judicial Circuit, 1998; Representing Plaintiff – Plaintiff’s Verdict
• Dodson v. Avera McKennan – Minnehaha County, Second Judicial Circuit, 2004; Representing Defendant – Defense Verdict
• Dullerud v. McKennan Hospital – Minnehaha County, Second Judicial Circuit, 1995; Representing Defendant – Defense Verdict
• Ewing v. Knutson – Minnehaha County, Second Judicial Circuit, 2010; Representing Defendant – Defense Verdict
• Fodness v. Stanga – Lincoln County, First Judicial Circuit, 1999; Representing Defendant – Defense Verdict
• Grosz v. Rapid City Regional Hospital – Pennington County, Seventh Judicial Circuit, 2022; Representing Defendant – Defense Verdict
• Kantack v. Maresh – Minnehaha County, Second Judicial Circuit, 2002; Representing Defendant – Defense Verdict
• Kelly v. Avera McKennan – Minnehaha County, Second Judicial Circuit, 2021; Representing Defendant – Defense Verdict
• Lavoie v. Brookings Medical Clinic – U.S. District Court, District of South Dakota, 2003; Representing Defendant – Defense Verdict
• Leonard v. Prairie Lakes Health Center – Codington County, Third Judicial Circuit, 2014; Representing Defendant – Defense Directed Verdict
• Little v. Rezac – Minnehaha County, Second Judicial Circuit, 2012; Representing Plaintiff – Plaintiff Verdict
• McClure v. Nanton – Minnehaha County, Second Judicial Circuit, 2016; Representing Defendant – Defense Verdict
• McKnelly v. Stanley – Minnehaha County, Second Judicial Circuit, 2003; Representing Defendant – Defense Verdict
• McLaughlin v. Carlson – Beadle County, Third Judicial Circuit, 2001; Representing Defendant – Defense Verdict
• Meyers v. Sogn – U.S. District Court, District of South Dakota, 1997; Representing Defendant – Defense Verdict
• Pebco, Inc. v. Buche – Brule County, Fourth Judicial Circuit, 1998; Representing Plaintiff – Plaintiff’s Verdict
• Plagmann v. Avera Queen of Peace – Davison County, First Judicial Circuit, 2003; Representing Defendant – Admitted Liability; Trial on Damages Only
• Rooney v. McKennan Hospital – U.S. District Court, District of South Dakota, 2000; Representing Defendant – Settled During Trial
• Rose Marie, Inc. v. Gross – Hutchinson County, First Judicial Circuit, 2003; Representing Defendant – Plaintiff Verdict
• St. Jude’s v. Kaschmitter – U.S. District Court, District of South Dakota, 2000; Representing Defendant – Defense Verdict
• Schlueter v. Huron Regional Medical Center – Beadle County, Third Judicial Circuit, 2021; Representing Defendant – Defense Verdict
• Sletten v. Heartland Medical – Minnehaha County, Second Judicial Circuit, 1997; Representing Defendant – Defense Verdict
• Smith v. Avera McKennan – Minnehaha County, Second Judicial Circuit, 2006; Representing Defendants – Defense Verdict
• Smith v. Chevron Chemical Co. – U.S. District Court, District of South Dakota, 1999; Representing Defendant – Plaintiff’s Verdict
• Sorenson v. City of Garretson – Minnehaha County, Second Judicial Circuit, 1995; Representing Plaintiff – Plaintiff’s Verdict
• Sturm v. Cross et al. – Minnehaha County, Second Judicial Circuit, 2004; Representing Defendant – Defense Verdict
• Swedlund v. McKennan Hospital – Minnehaha County, Second Judicial Circuit, 2001; Representing Defendant – Defense Verdict
• Thomas v. Zoellner – Minnehaha County, Second Judicial Circuit, 2008; Representing Defendant – Defense Verdict
• Thompson v. Krouse – Davison County, First Judicial Circuit, 2012; Representing Defendants – Defense Verdict
• Vandermeulen v. Linde – U.S. District Court, 1999; Representing Defendant – Defense Verdict
• White v. Avera McKennan – Minnehaha County, Second Judicial Circuit, 2003; Representing Defendant – Directed Defense Verdict

In addition to the above jury trials, Roger has also tried numerous court trials and binding arbitrations.

Publications and Presentations

• Instructor/Faculty, South Dakota Trial Academy, University of South Dakota Law School, July 11-15, 2016
• “Peer Review Protection”, presentation to Avera McKennan Hospital Staff, Avera Queen of Peace Hospital Staff and Avera St. Mary’s Hospital Staff (2015)
• “Expert Witness Retention and Use”, SD Defense Research Institute presentation to members (1-21-11)
• Medical Malpractice and Avoiding Lawsuits, Avera Queen of Peace Hospital, Lecture to Medical Staff, October, 2009
• Documentation/Informed Consent, Huron Regional Medical Center, Lecture to Medical Staff, October, 2008
• Speaker, “Trial and Jury Techniques”, USD School of Law (2007)
• Speaker, Medical/Legal Issues for Physicians, USD School of Medicine, (2005)
• Speaker, Civil Litigation, USD School of Medicine (2004)
• Speaker, Trial/Jury Practice, USD School of Law (2003)
• Speaker, Review of Involuntary Commitment Criteria, Avera McKennan (2000)
• Depositions: What Are They And What Is Your Role, Sponsored by University Physicians, April 13, 1999
• Medical/Legal Overview, Sponsored by the Doctors Company, March 23, 1999