Milbank, SD

Vincent A. Foley

After serving as a Circuit Court Judge for the Third Judicial Circuit in South Dakota, Vince retired to return to Watertown and rejoin his father in the practice of law started by his grandfather. Having served as the Codington County State's Attorney, and the City of Watertown, City Attorney, Vince possesses the breadth of experience in the court room, and as a former owner of a title company, he brings that real estate knowledge not found in many law firms. As a Watertown High School graduate in the class of 1980, Vince then graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1984 before completing his legal education at the University of South Dakota School of Law in 1987. Following graduation Vince served as a law clerk for the Chief Judge of the District of South Dakota, Donald J. Porter. At the end of that term, Vince returned to Watertown to enter the private practice of law with his father, John. For the next eighteen years, he practiced with his father, as well as serving as the City Attorney, and State's Attorney in a part-time capacity. Before joining the bench in January of 2007, Vince served the profession and community as the Inaugaral Chairman of the Open Meetings Commission, having been appointed by Attorney General Larry Long, for which he received the Eagle Award from the South Dakota Newspaper Association. He also served the profession on the Real Property, Probate and Trust Section, including service as Chairman. He also served on the drafting committee for the initial version of South Dakota's limited liability company (LLC) state statues. Moreover, he has presented to State Bar through its Continuing Legal Education programs on both Limited Liability Companies (LLC) and South Dakota's enactment of the Uniform Probate Code. Vince announced his retirement in the spring of 2017 and planned to rejoin his father in the practice. They had formed the new office named, Foley and Foley Law Office, P.C. Unfortunately, John fell ill and passed away in the summer of 2017 just before Vince stepped down from the bench. Nevertheless, Vince stepped into the role and concluded John's matters and then continued on in the practice. Although well versed in the courtroom practice, he continues his father and grandfather's legacy of a practice in real estate, estate planning and estate administration for their long-time friends and clients.

John L. Foley

That practice continued with Andy's son John when he returned to Watertown to practice in 1967. While he initially officed in the Foley Building (also known as the Woolworth's building), after being elected in 1968 to the position of part-time Codington County State's Attorney, as was permitted, he moved his portion of the practice to the Courthouse. After stepping down in 1974, John moved his practice to the Argabrite house at 124 S. Maple. There he began to build his practice in real estate, estate planning and estate administration. Vince announced his retirement in the spring of 2017 and planned to rejoin his father in the practice. They had formed the new office named, Foley and Foley Law Office, P.C. Unfortunately, John fell ill and passed away in the summer of 2017 just before Vince stepped down from the bench.

Andrew E. Foley Sr.

Although born in Watertown, Dakota Territory in 1889, when Andrew E. Foley Sr. graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1910, he went to Belle Fourche to work with landowners on the Orman Dam irrigation project. Then the largest earthen dam in the world, it provided work for a young attorney helping landowners with condemnations and irrigation permits. However, after two years, he returned to Watertown and opened his office to continue serving the friends and neighbors of his youth. With stints as County Judge, he followed his father's footsteps, the first Watertown fire chief, a former Codington County sheriff, and state legislator, into public service. However, until shortly before his death in 1975, “Andy” continued coming into the office to contribute to the practice.

Robert J. Wagner

Robert J. 'Bob' grew up in the same block as John Foley. While not partners, they were lifelong friends and hunting partners. A unique family tree made Bob and Patricia Foley (Mrs. Vince Foley) cousins, second cousins and third cousins all at the same time. Bob served as the City Attorney for Watertown for many years while maintaining a private practice as well. We have been entrusted with the custody of the original Wills and Trusts maintained in Bob's office as well as information on many of his files.

In 1980, Thomas F. Burns, having also graduated from the University of Michigan School of Law the year before, joined the South Dakota Bar and his father's firm. In 1985, Allen Eide left to practice in Pierre and the name Burns law office was established. Francis and Thomas practiced together until 2005. Tom then practiced alone for thirteen years. His son, Patrick F. Burns joined him in 2018 up to Tom's unfortunate passing in 2023.

John R. Delzer

John R. Delzer, a Hamlin County native, graduated from Western Michigan Thomas M. Cooley Law School with a Juris Doctorate in September, 2011, and was admitted to the South Dakota bar in May, 2012. Prior to attending law school, John obtained a Bachelor of Science in Agronomy (plant science) from South Dakota State University in December, 2000. He was a research agronomist and sales agronomist focusing on the agricultural chemical business and then the seed division of Land O' Lakes in western Minnesota and eastern South Dakota for eight years. Born and raised on a farm, John began farming with his father in 2004, and remains an active and material participant in the grain farm located in both Brookings and Kingsbury Counties. In 2013, John opened his law office at Lake Poinsett, SD. John was appointed by the Hamlin County Commissioners to be the Hamlin County State's Attorney in 2016 and continues to serve in that capacity. John's general practice focuses on agricultural law, contracts, real estate, estate planning/probate, zoning and land use, City Attorney for several small communities and criminal defense in surrounding counties.

After graduating from the University of Michigan School of Law 1948, Francis C. Burns practiced in Sisseton and Milbank before moving to Watertown and partnering with Edward P. Gribbon as Gribbon and Burns. Eventually they were joined by Allen J. Eide, changing their name to Gribbon, Burns, and Eide. In 1980, Thomas F. Burns, having also graduated from the University of Michigan School of Law the year before, joined the South Dakota Bar and his father's firm. In 1985, Allen Eide left to practice in Pierre and the name Burns law office was established. Francis and Thomas practiced together until 2005. Tom then practiced alone for thirteen years. His son, Patrick F. Burns joined him in 2018 up to Tom's unfortunate passing in 2023.