Brookings, SD

Don McCarty

Don McCarty graduated from the University of South Dakota School of Law with a juris doctorate in 1996. During his third year of law school Don was recognized as the George S. Mickelson Scholar for outstanding academic achievement and dedication to public service prior to, and during, law school. After admission to the South Dakota Bar, Don served as a law clerk for the First Judicial Circuit. Following his clerkship he began private practice in Brookings. Don has held numerous leadership positions during his legal career including President of the Young Lawyers Section, multiple terms as a Bar Commissioner for the State Bar of South Dakota and a continuing member of the State Ethics Committee. In addition to his private practice, Don has been a member of the South Dakota Army National Guard for more 28 years. He currently serves as a Command Judge Advocate with 196th MEB holding the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Don deployed to Afghanistan as a Judge Advocate in 2010 and during that time was appointed to serve as a Deputy Staff Judge Advocate and as a United State Claims Commissioner, settling claims filed against the United States Government. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his service. Don is an Adjunct Professor at the University of South Dakota School of Law teaching Military Law. Don has been admitted to practice in all South Dakota Courts, as well as Federal District Court and the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals. Don's general practice focuses on trial work including family law, criminal law, personal injury, business litigation, and workers' compensation.

Rick A. Ribstein

Rick Ribstein, a native of Brookings, South Dakota, earned his juris doctorate from the University of South Dakota in 1989. Following a two year judicial clerkship, he returned to Brookings to start his career in 1991. Rick’s general practice includes personal injury, worker’s compensation, social security disability, divorce, criminal law and estate planning. Rick and his wife, Beth, have two grown children.

Tim Hogan

Tim Hogan, a native of Brookings, South Dakota, earned his juris doctor from Saint Louis University in 1993. Following a year as a public defender in Missouri, he returned to Brookings to open his own firm. He joined McCann & Ribstein in 1999 as a partner. In 2014 he formed Ribstein & Hogan Law Firm with Rick Ribstein. Tim’s general practice includes real estate, business planning, criminal law, family law and divorce, bankruptcy, estate planning and probate. Tim has experience as an owner and developer of a number of real estate developments over the past fifteen years. Tim and his wife, Kate, keep very busy raising their five children.

Eric Rasmussen

Eric N. Rasmussen obtained his undergraduate degree from SDSU in 1981 and graduated from USD Law School in 1985. That same year, he became a member of the State Bar of South Dakota and began to practice law in Brookings with the Mickelson and Helsper Law Firm. While in private practice in Brookings, Eric engaged in general practice with an emphasis in contracts, business organizations, real estate, tax, estate planning and probate. Eric left private practice in 2004 to work for Citibank, N.A. in their credit card division in Sioux Falls. While working for Citibank, Eric worked on contracts and regulatory matters involving fair lending, credit reporting, privacy issues, and banking law. Eric is rejoining the firm to continue business practice. Eric has been admitted to practice in all South Dakota Courts, as well as Federal District Court and the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Richard Helsper

Richard J. Helsper, a Brookings native, graduated from South Dakota State University in 1974. He then graduated from Southern Methodist University School of Law in Dallas, Texas in 1977. After becoming a member of the State Bar of South Dakota, he joined the law firm of McCann, Martin & Mickelson in Brookings. George Mickelson and Rich started their own firm in April of 1984. Mr. Mickelson was elected Governor of South Dakota and left the firm in January of 1987. Rich's primary emphasis in his practice are business transactions; public and private corporate law; estate planning and probate; and real estate matters. Rich is admitted to practice before all South Dakota Courts both State and Federal, as well as the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit Court and the United States Supreme Court.

Teree Nesvold

Teree was born and raised in Minnesota. After high school, Teree attended the University of Minnesota, graduating with a degree in History. Before pursuing her dream of law school, Teree worked as a loan officer, ran a business, and as an accountant. Graduating from USD Law School in 2014 with honors, Teree was selected as the Third Judicial Law Clerk and worked closely with Judges and attorneys throughout the Circuit, gaining valuable experience and seeing the many varied areas of litigation and the law. In 2015, Teree was hired as a Deputy State’s Attorney for Brookings County, promoted to Chief Deputy State’s Attorney, and then appointed by the Brookings County Commission as State’s Attorney in February of 2018. Teree has always had a passion and desire to give back to the community and is currently involved with ALTRUSA, Lions Club, Optimist Club, Brookings Empowerment Project, Rotary, and is a member of St. Thomas Moore Parish. Teree and her husband Dan have been married for 22 years and have two children. Teree enjoys spending time with her family traveling, attending sporting events, and vacationing with friends and family at the lake. Teree is working to build her practice in the areas of commercial litigation, business litigation, criminal law, insurance litigation and civil litigation.

Reed Mahlke

Reed grew up working on his grandfather’s farm in Northeastern South Dakota, near the town of Frederick. After high school, Reed attended South Dakota State University and graduated with an Agri Business Degree. Reed then accepted a position in International Business Development with Daktronics, a global scoreboard and video screen manufacturer. After five years in the business world, Reed attended William Mitchell College of Law and received his juris doctorate in 2005. Reed then accepted a position with Pemberton, Sorlie, Rufer and Kershner, focusing on commercial litigation, business law, real estate law and estate planning. Looking for an opportunity to return to South Dakota in February 2009, Reed accepted a position with Glover & Helsper, P.C., which in 2016 became Helsper, McCarty & Rasmussen, P.C. Reed’s general practice focuses on civil and business litigation, real estate law, estate planning/wills/probate, business law, family law (including divorce/custody) and criminal law.