A native of northeast South Dakota John grew up in Redfield. He attended college at the University of Sioux Falls where he graduated in 2019 with degrees in Criminal Justice and Psychology. John then attended law school at the University of South Dakota graduating in May of 2022. While in law school, John interned with Gillette Law Office in 2020 and Brown County State’s Attorney’s Office in 2021. John joined the firm in August of 2022. John is a member of the Brown County Bar Association, the South Dakota State Bar Association, and the South Dakota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.  John practices primarily in the areas of criminal defense and general civil litigation. In his free time John enjoys spending time outdoors, running, and fishing.

Carla grew up in Fullerton, North Dakota, and graduated from Ellendale High School. She obtained an associate’s degree from Bismarck State College in 2001, and her bachelor’s degree in Paralegal Studies from Minnesota State University Moorhead in 2003. After graduation, she worked for Municipal Judge Thomas A. Davies in Fargo, North Dakota. She then worked as a paralegal for Kessel, Splitt & Narum, and later for Radermacher Law Firm in Ellendale, North Dakota. She joined Bantz, Gosch & Cremer in Aberdeen in 2011 as a paralegal, and later decided to pursue a law degree. While continuing to work at our firm, she attended law school at Mitchell Hamline School of Law, where she received her Juris Doctorate degree, graduating cum laude in 2020. In her spare time she enjoys reading, spending time with her daughter, Sophie, and volunteering with the Aberdeen Sertoma Club.

Josh grew up in Harrisburg, South Dakota. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Sioux Falls. He worked in private industry doing web development, then went to law school at the University of South Dakota. After graduating from USD Law, Josh clerked for the judges of South Dakota’s First Judicial Circuit. He has practiced law in Northeast South Dakota since August 2014. He has served two terms on the South Dakota State Bar Commission. He has served on the Young Lawyers Section as a circuit representative and on the South Dakota Trial Lawyers Board of Directors. Josh’s practice focuses on litigation, such as personal injury, workers’ compensation, insurance bad faith, business and contract disputes, and trust and estate litigation. Josh is a member of the State Bar of South Dakota, the Brown County Bar Association, and the South Dakota Trial Lawyers Association. He is also admitted to practice in United States District Court for the District of South Dakota.

Justin was born in Yankton, South Dakota, and raised in Alcester, South Dakota. He received his Bachelor of Science degree, with Honors, from the University of South Dakota in 2004. He attended law school at the University of Nebraska College of Law, where he received his Juris Doctorate degree, with Distinction, in 2007. After graduation, he served as law clerk for the Fifth Judicial Circuit of South Dakota, before joining the firm in 2008, where he practices primarily in the areas of creditor’s rights, collections, general civil litigation, business and transactional law, insurance, municipal law, and commercial law. Justin is an active member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, and enjoys reading, golfing, and fishing in his free time.

Melissa is originally from Sturgis, South Dakota, but grew up in Brainerd, Minnesota. After she graduated from law school in 2001, she served as the law clerk to the Honorable David Gilbertson, Chief Justice of the South Dakota Supreme Court. Melissa joined Bantz, Gosch & Cremer, LLC, in 2002, where she is a trained/court-approved mediator and practices predominantly in the areas of family law and general civil litigation. Melissa is an avid reader, an active member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, and enjoys traveling with her family. Melissa is also a veteran, with 14 years of service in the South Dakota Army National Guard. Melissa and her husband, Alan have five children and reside in Aberdeen.

Greg was born and raised in Huron, South Dakota. He graduated from the University of South Dakota in 1977 with a BA in Political Science, and from USD Law School in 1980. In law school, he served on the board of the South Dakota Law Review and received the William A. Garton award for a publication in the Law Review in environmental law. After graduation, Greg was the law clerk for the Fifth Judicial Circuit in Aberdeen before becoming an associate with Bantz, Gosch & Cremer in 1981. He has been a partner since 1982 and has an AV (highest) rating. Greg is also a trained mediator to help parties resolve their disputes informally out of court. Apart from his law practice, Greg is involved in a program designed for mentoring other men. He is married with three children, and enjoys cycling, hunting, fishing, and almost anything in the outdoors.

Rory is a native of Aberdeen and a graduate of Aberdeen Central High School. Rory attended Northern State University and ultimately received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of South Dakota in 1970. He was commissioned as a lieutenant in the United States Army Reserve, ultimately retiring as a captain in the Infantry Branch of the United States Army Reserve. He graduated from law school at the University of South Dakota in 1973 as a Thomas Sterling Honors graduate. He served as a law clerk for U.S. District Judge Fred J. Nichol in 1973-74 and has practiced in Aberdeen since May 1974. Rory is a member of the Brown County and American Bar Associations, including the Business law and the Real Property, Trust and Estate law sections, the State Bar of South Dakota, the Education Law Association and the National Association of School Board Attorneys. He is licensed to practice in South Dakota state and federal court, in the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals, and in the United States Supreme Court. Rory practices primarily in the areas of litigation, business and corporate law, school law, estate planning and probate, and Elder-law.

Jim grew up in Spencer, South Dakota, and attended South Dakota State University and the University of South Dakota where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1974. Jim then attended law school at the University of South Dakota where he was Managing Editor of the South Dakota Law Review. He graduated from law school in 1977 and served as law clerk for the Hon. Fred J. Nichol, Chief Judge, U.S. District Court for the District of South Dakota. Jim joined the firm in 1978. He is a member of the American Bar Association and the State Bar of South Dakota, where he served as Commissioner from 1981-1984, and Chairman of the Business, Banking and Corporation Committee from 1987-1989. He is also a member of the South Dakota Trial Lawyers Association and the Association of Trial Lawyers of America. Jim practices primarily in the areas of business law, real estate, banking, commercial law and telecommunications.