Law Office - Attorneys in Watertown, South Dakota

 AUSTIN LAW FIRM is a partnership of attorneys engaged in the general practice of law in Watertown, South Dakota. 

The law firm was established in 1926 by Perry F. Loucks, and it has operated continuously since. Perry grew up near Clear Lake, SD, attended State College, and moved to Watertown in 1905. Loucks served as the Watertown City Attorney before starting his own law firm. In addition to his private law practice, he was President of the South Dakota Bar Association for several years and was prominent in many local civic organizations. Perry Loucks passed away in 1942. 

Alan Austin joined Mr. Loucks in the fall of 1931. They practiced together until 1942 when Mr. Loucks died.  Alan Austin was General Counsel and Secretary for the Midland National Life Insurance Company for many years, president of the South Dakota Bar Association, and recipient of the Dean McKusick Law Award. He was highly involved in advocating for “the curve” on I-29, so the interstate road would parallel Watertown. He was a lobbyist for American Life Insurance Companies and the Codington County State's Attorney.  He became counsel to the firm in 1980. Alan Austin passed away on April 25, 2005. The firm's namesake was established in Alan's honor as one of the founding fathers, and longevity with the firm. 

Harold Lovre joined the firm in 1944. He came from Hayti, SD, and joined Mr. Austin in a partnership called Austin & Lovre. Mr. Lovre was elected to the U. S. Congress in 1948 and retired from the firm. He passed away in 1972. 

Irving Hinderaker joined the firm in 1948. Mr. Hinderaker was a graduate of Augustana College and the University of South Dakota School of Law. He was a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel. His practice emphasized probate and business law. He became counsel to the firm on January 1, 1992, and passed away in 2023. 

William (Bill) Hackett joined Austin & Hinderaker in 1954. Until his untimely death in 1985, Bill Hackett practiced in the areas of casualty litigation, family, and criminal law. He was a member of numerous professional societies and was one of the best-known trial lawyers in the State of South Dakota.

In 1962, J. Douglas Austin returned to Watertown after military service in the Judge Advocate General Corps of the United States Army.  A graduate of the University of South Dakota and the University of South Dakota School of Law, Doug had a general practice emphasizing business and estate planning, probate, and personal injury law. He was also a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel. Doug retired from the practice in 2023.

Paul Hinderaker joined the firm in 1973. He is a graduate of Augustana College and the University of Minnesota Law School. His practice emphasized commercial law, estate planning, and estate administration. He retired in 2019.

Arthur (Monte) Hopper came to the firm in 1981. A Watertown native, Monte graduated from the University of South Dakota with honors and the University of Iowa College of Law with high distinction. His practice primarily involved general negligence trials, employment, commercial and banking litigation, and school law. Monte retired in 2021.

David Strait, a Castlewood, South Dakota, native, joined the firm in 1987 after serving as a Law Clerk for the Third Judicial Circuit Court of South Dakota. He is a graduate of the University of South Dakota and the University of South Dakota School of Law. His practice emphasizes corporate/business law, trusts, estate planning, estate administration, and real estate.

Kate Benson was born and raised in Watertown.  She joined the firm in 2002. She is a graduate of the University of Southern Indiana and the University of South Dakota School of Law. Her practice focus is Family Law, Criminal Defense, and Estate Planning.

Amanda Thole joined the firm in 2018.  She is a graduate of Augustana University and the University of South Dakota School of Law.  Her practice areas include family and criminal law. 

Mitchell Koehn joined the firm in 2020.  He is a graduate of the University of South Dakota and the University of South Dakota School of Law.  His practice areas include corporate law, civil litigation, real estate, personal injury, and estate planning.

AUSTIN LAW ASSOCIATES:

Rebecca Morlock Reeves joined the firm in 2024.  She is a graduate of Concordia College, Moorhead, MN, and the University of South Dakota School of Law.  Her practice emphasizes criminal and family law.

Austin Eidahl, a Mitchell, South Dakota native, joined the firm in 2025. Austin earned his Bachelor of Science from South Dakota State University in 2021 and attended the University of South Dakota, where he received his MBA and law degree in 2024. His practice includes business/corporate law, estate planning, civil litigation, criminal defense, and agricultural law. Austin is also part of the 1031 Exchange team at Austin Law.

Brooklyn M. Mailey, originally from Montana, graduated from Montana State University in 2020. She attended the University of South Dakota and received her MBA and law degree in 2024. Her practice emphasizes business law, criminal defense, and estate planning.

Justin L. Larson, a Watertown, South Dakota native, first joined the firm in 2023 as a summer intern. He joined the firm full-time in 2025. He is a graduate of South Dakota State University and the University of South Dakota School of Law. His practice emphasizes criminal defense, business/corporations, and estate planning.

Ashlynn R. Burkeis from Willow Lake, South Dakota, and joined the firm in 2025. She is a graduate of the University of South Dakota and the University of South Dakota School of Law. Her practice emphasizes family law and criminal defense. 

Austin Law is located at 25 First Avenue Southwest in Watertown, South Dakota. We are proud of our modern office facilities, which feature a professional, state-of-the-art atmosphere. The attorneys are assisted by highly trained paralegals and experienced legal office assistants. The staff works together to ensure the prompt, efficient delivery of legal services to our clients.

We maintain up-to-date online research services to provide the firm with access to the latest legal developments. We are committed to the continuing education of all members of our legal service team. Lawyers and support staff attend continuing education courses sponsored by the State Bar of South Dakota, South Dakota Paralegals Association, and other national education groups.

We adhere to the highest standards of legal ethics. Your relationship with your lawyer requires complete confidence and trust. We keep our clients informed about their cases' progress.

In addition to our law practice, we expect our firm members and employees to participate in civic and regional affairs. We have a long history of activity in education, youth groups, hospitals, and churches on the local and regional level. We believe this reflects our commitment to Watertown’s quality of life and our determination to be leaders in civic affairs and public concerns.