ATTORNEYS
MARY BURD
PARTNER
BIO
Mary grew up in Canton South Dakota on an acreage. She earned her undergraduate degree from Black Hills State in 1998, and obtained her Juris Doctorate degree from the University of South Dakota in 2001.
Mary has been in practice since 2001, beginning her practice with Lee Burd and Shelley Wieck. Shelley left the practice in 2003 to join the Peace Corp. Mary continued to practice with her mother, Lee, until her retirement in 2009.
Mary is an active member of the South Dakota State Bar Association, State Bar Family Law Committee, State Bar Women in Law Committee, Second Circuit Bar Association, and a member of the Second Circuit Women in Law, the South Dakota Trial Lawyers Association, and a former CASA Volunteer.
TIFFANI LANDEEN
PARTNER
BIO
Tiffani was born and raised in South Dakota. She is a graduate of the USD School of Law in 2000 and has been practicing law for 23 years, both in private practice as well as the Turner County States Attorney for seven years. She specializes in the areas of family law, criminal law and juvenile actions. Tiffani serves our community as a Lincoln County Commissioner for the past six years and is a member of the South Dakota Bar Association, Family Law Committee and the South Dakota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. Tiffani is married and has multiple dogs.
NICHOLE CARPER
PARTNER
BIO
Nichole earned her law degree from the University of South Dakota School of Law in 1996, and has been practicing law in the Sioux Falls area ever since. Prior to law school, Nichole attended Augustana College, where she obtained her degree in Government and International Affairs. Nichole is admitted into practice in the State Bar of South Dakota since 1996, and has represented people in cases across the State of South Dakota in matters ranging from felony drug charges to helping people gain custodial and visitation rights. She has been involved in numerous criminal and civil appeals to the South Dakota Supreme Court, and made oral argument to the South Dakota Supreme Court.
Nichole is also admitted to the United States Federal District Court, as well as the United States District Court of Appeals for the Eighth Judicial Circuit. She is also a panel criminal defense attorney for the federal court system, and has represented clients in a wide variety of criminal prosecutions, including illegal entry cases.
Nichole is an active member of the South Dakota Bar Association, where she has participated on various committees and also served as a South Dakota Bar Commissioner. She is a member of the South Dakota Trial Lawyers Association and the South Dakota Criminal Defense Lawyers Association. She is a former President of Women in Law for the Sioux Falls area and is involved in the Second Judicial Circuit Bar Association.
Nichole grew up on beautiful Lake Kampeska in Watertown, South Dakota. She currently lives in Sioux Falls with her husband, two children and three dogs. She and her family enjoy spending time at the lake, movies, and traveling together.
DIXIE BADER
Paralegal
Dixie earned her Associates’ Degree in Paralegal Studies from Nettleton Community College in 1997, and her Bachelor’s Degree in Paralegal Studies from National American University in 2002. Dixie has worked as a Paralegal for Mary Burd since 2006.
Dixie became a Certified Legal Assistant (CLA) through the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) in 2004. Dixie served as president of the South Dakota Paralegal Association from 2008-2009, and as NALA Liaison from 2005-2006 and 2014-2015. Dixie continues to be an active member of South Dakota Paralegal Association and the Second Circuit Women in Law.
NATASHA VENENGA
Paralegal
Natasha grew up in Crooks, South Dakota with her 5 brothers and parents. She graduated from Tri-Valley in 2001, and started her paralegal education at Norfolk Community College. She came home after one year, finishing her paralegal degree at National American University, graduating with an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Paralegal Studies in May of 2004. Natasha started working in a law office in 2003, and has worked as a paralegal for over fourteen years. She has broad experience in a wide variety cases. She has worked closely with attorneys in cases ranging from federal and state criminal cases, appeals to the South Dakota Supreme Court, civil personal injury cases, protection orders, divorce cases, establishment of custody and visitation cases, guardianship cases, to juvenile court proceedings. Natasha loves working closely with clients to help them through their cases. Her level of care and knowledge of our clients is essential to the quality of representation we want our clients to receive from us. Natasha is also a Notary Public.
HEATHER KAPPES
Administrative Assistant
Heather was born and raised in Sioux Falls, SD. She has worked in a few offices in Sioux Falls, a garbage company, an electric company, and a trucking company. She is a people person and enjoys seeing people in person and working with them on the phone as well. She lives with her husband and her dog; she has two adult children. You can find her throwing darts and watching her Chiefs play football in the winter months and camping or watching softball games in the summer months. She enjoys spending time with family and friends attending sporting events, concerts, and going on fun vacations. She is a busy person and does not like to stay home or be bored.