office personnel

  Paula is a Watertown native, and a graduate of Minnesota State University Moorhead with a B.S. in Paralegal studies. She has been a paralegal at our firm for 25 years.  She is a long standing member of the South Dakota Paralegal Association, where she has served as Treasurer and worked on several committees. Her service to our attorneys and clients focuses on trust and estate administration cases. But, she enjoys assisting in all other practice areas. Paula also doubles as an IT specialist!  Her work/life joy is reading and learning new things. She also enjoys traveling and canning garden goods.  

  Donita has been with our office for 23 years.  She joined the firm on May 12, 1997.  She serves as a legal assistant.  Prior to joining the firm, she worked at Midland National Life Insurance, Milbank Mutual Insurance, Credit Bureau, Human Service Agency, and a local bank.  

Donita grew up on a farm in rural Florence, South Dakota and graduated from Florence Public High School.  She completed a course in Office Occupations through Northeast Technical High School. 

She is married to John Moes and they have three adult children and eleven grandchildren, with number twelve due in late July of 2020.  In Donita’s free time, she enjoys cooking, baking, and gardening but most of all spending time with her family. 

Danice joined our office in June of 2016 as a legal assistant.  Danice grew up in Redfield, SD and graduated from Redfield High School.  She attended one year at Lake Area Tech before moving to Sioux Falls with her husband.  She finished her college education at National American University where she obtained an Associate’s degree in Computer Information Systems.  Outside of work, Danice loves to spend time with her family.  She also enjoys going to the races, camping and traveling as much as she can with her husband and two children.  

Val Schenecker joined our office in February of 2017.  She was born in Hoven, SD but graduated from the Watertown High School.  Val is married to Greg Schenecker and has two children, Brady and Ally.  Val is a paralegal at our firm.  She obtained her paralegal degree from Kilian Community College in Sioux Falls.  In her free time, she enjoys traveling, outdoor activities, and spending time with family and friends.

   Katie DeBoer joined our office in June of 2021 as a paralegal. She is a Castlewood native, and a graduate of Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, MO with a B.S. in International Business and earned an MBA from the University of Phoenix (online). In her free time, Katie enjoys spending time with her family and supporting her kids in their various activities as well as traveling, reading and spending time on the lake.  

  Amy joined the Austin Law Firm Team in October of 2020 as a part-time receptionist.  Amy graduated from Evangel University in Springfield, MO in 1992.  After graduation, Amy and her husband Chip moved to Watertown.  Amy also works as a licensed Realtor®  and is a member of the NESD Association of REALTORS.  Amy and Chip have two children, Abby (Nick) Westphalen and Nate (Sophie) Davis and one grandson-Jack.  Amy enjoys traveling, attending sporting events, boating, and spending time with family and friends. 

  Carolea joined our office in January of 2022 as a part-time receptionist. Carolea grew up in Sisseton and graduated from Sisseton High School. Upon graduation she moved to Watertown. She has recently retired and during her free time enjoys reading, traveling and camping with her family and friends.

  Sandi joined our office in January of 2024 as our bookkeeper. She moved to the area from Sioux Falls with her husband.  She enjoys spending time with her kids, grandchildren, and 2 Aussiedoodles -- anything they are doing she wants to be a part of. Sandi enjoys sunrises and sunsets on the lake, anything outdoors, watching sports, and playing games/puzzles. 

  Amanda joined our office in September of 2024 as a legal assistant.  She grew up in the surrounding area and has lived in Watertown for over 20 years.  During her free time, she enjoys traveling, attending concerts, and touring craft breweries.