Thomas J. Nicholson

Tom was born and raised in Winner, South Dakota, received his undergraduate degree  from the University of South Dakota, and also graduated from the USD School of Law in 1978. 

Since 1979 he has been in private practice in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and is a partner in the law firm of Nicholson, Tschetter, Adams & Nicholson.  He is an AV rated lawyer in Martindale-Hubbell.  Tom believes in a logical, practical approach to solving problems; he looks at the circumstances and works with clients to find common sense solutions.  Unnecessary expense and posturing do not help the client.  He enjoys practicing with his daughter, Melissa, and they work well together.  That relationship allows them to use a team approach when practical.  Tom has worked hard since 1979 to develop positive relationships with clients, other attorneys and judges.  His practice includes numerous types of lawsuits with extensive experience in business related matters, including emphasis in the following areas:

• Construction Law
• Business / Corporation / Real Estate Law
• Personal Injury / Wrongful death
• Divorce with substantial assets
• Estate / Probate / Wills

LICENSED TO PRACTICE BEFORE:
South Dakota trial courts and agencies
Supreme Court of South Dakota
U.S. District Court
8th Circuit Court of Appeals
United States Supreme Court

Professional and Community Involvement (Current and Previous):

State Bar of South Dakota
South Dakota Trial Lawyers' Association Sustaining Member
American Bar Association
State Bar Disciplinary Board (co-chair 2007-2008)
South Dakota Bar Examiners for 14 years
Judicial Compensation Committee
Judicial-Bar Liason Committee
Unauthorized Practice of Law Committee
Competency Committee
Sioux Falls Inns of Court
Tort & Insurance Practice Section of the ABA
Law School speaker on character and fitness
Seminar presenter on personal injury for the South Dakota Trial Lawyers Association
Chairman of the Civil Service Board for the City of Sioux Falls for several terms
Board of Directors of Dow-Rummel Retirement Home (President 4 times)
American Indian Services (original board member)
Sioux Falls Literacy Council (original board member)
Sioux Council Boy Scouts of America Board
Westward Ho Country Club Board (President in 1991)
South Dakota Humanities Foundation Board
Youth soccer and basketball volunteer coach for approximately 10 years
Mentor at Sioux Falls Lincoln High School
Several other school and church boards and committees

Melissa B. Nicholson          

After growing up in Sioux Falls, Melissa went to college in Indiana at DePauw University, and returned to go to law school at the University of South Dakota.  Since graduating she has worked in Sioux Falls in excess of 9 years and is a partner in the firm of Nicholson & Nicholson, with her father, Tom Nicholson, who has practiced in the State over 25 years.  Together they handle a variety of litigation related legal work.  Their mission is to offer an effective resolution of their clients’ cases in the most straightforward and personal way they can.  The firm welcomes the opportunity to effectively resolve a case, provide a comfortable environment, explain legal rights and options that allow clients decisions and control of their legal matters.

Melissa will give clients an honest, straightforward assessment of their case, and advocate their position for the best possible resolution that allows the client to put the situation behind them and move forward.  Further, she will help them feel comfortable and in the process.  She values good working relationships with other attorneys and judges, and practices primarily in the following areas:

• Divorce                          
• Family Law             
• All Civil Litigation
• Prenuptial Agreements

Professional and Community Memberships and Associations:

South Dakota Bar Association
South Dakota Trial Lawyers Sustaining Member
South Dakota Trial Lawyers Association Board of Governors
Family Law Committee Chair, South Dakota Trial Lawyers Association
Bar Media Liason State Bar Committee
American Trial Lawyers Association n/k/a American Association for Justice
Leadership Sioux Falls Graduate 2002
South Dakota Senator Daschle's Leader's Retreat 2000  
Main Street Sioux Falls.

Courts Admitted to Practice In:

All South Dakota Courts
United States Supreme Court
United States Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit
United States District Court

Most South Dakota Agencies

       




** All consultations are private and confidential

Jason R. Adams

Jason is a native of Janesville, Minnesota.  He grew up on a small farm outside of Janesville.  He graduated from Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, Minnesota with a degree in political science and minor in business administration in 1994.  Jason attended law school in Vermillion, South Dakota and graduated from the University Of South Dakota School Of Law in 1997.

Following law school, Jason practiced law in Elk Point, South Dakota at Stickney & Groe Law Office.  After three years in Elk Point he joined the Minnehaha County Public Defender's Office and was there for seven years before joining Ken Tschetter to form Tschetter & Adams Law Office, P.C.  While at the Public Defender's Office, Jason gained valuable experience defending cases from DUI's to Robbery, Attempted Murder, and Capital Murder Cases.  Jason continued to gain valuable experience in criminal law while partnered with Ken Tschetter, but also gained experience in family law and personal injury law. In August of 2011, Jason and Ken Tschetter joined Tom and Melissa Nicholson to form Nicholson, Tschetter, Adams & Nicholson.

Jason has over fourteen years experience handling criminal cases, family law cases and personal injury cases.  His experience includes numerous jury trials and appellate work. 
Jason is licensed to practice in state and federal courts in South Dakota.  He is a member of the South Dakota Criminal Defense Lawyers and the Second Circuit Bar Association.  Jason serves on the South Dakota State Bar's Criminal Pattern Jury Instructions Committee.