Reed, James E.

Gerald L. Reade is a native of Canton, South Dakota. He served in the military for three years and then attended the University of South Dakota where he graduated with a Business Degree With Honors in 1957. He graduated at the top of his class from the University Of South Dakota School Of Law in 1959. During law school, Jerry was Editor-in-Chief of the South Dakota Law Review. He then completed a law clerkship to United States District Judge Axel J. Beck. Following his law clerkship, Jerry was hired as an Assistant Attorney General in South Dakota in charge of civil and criminal litigation. He served in that office for three years during which time he became First Assistant Attorney for two years under Attorney General A.C. Miller. During his term in the Attorney General's office, he served as a member of a three-member Board of Pardons and Paroles for a two year period. Thereafter, Jerry resigned his position and entered private law practice.

Jerry's professional affiliations and distinctions include membership in the American Bar Association, Association of Trial Lawyers of America and American Board of Trial Advocates. He is past president of the South Dakota Trial Lawyers Association and past president of the American Board of Trial Advocates.

Jerry serves as "of counsel" to JMMWH. He was a trial and appellate attorney and primarily practiced in the areas of personal injury and product liability litigation and fire insurance defense. Jerry's practice was primarily based in Yankton under various law firm names. His practice took him statewide as well as out-of-state.

Jerry lives in Yankton, South Dakota. He has been a pilot and aircraft owner for many years.