Michelle Lounsbery

Legal Business Strategy, Protecting What Matters Most

South Dakota Senior Counsel

In 2015, Michelle worked closely with Goosmann Law Firm to support the firm in obtaining its certification as a woman-owned business. She has since returned to Goosmann on a full-time basis as Senior Counsel, bringing a distinctive and valuable perspective shaped by her experience as a business owner. Michelle does not merely advise business owners, she has been one. Having spent much of her career owning, operating, and leading businesses, she possesses a firsthand understanding of the pressures, risks, and responsibilities inherent in business ownership. This practical experience informs and strengthens her approach to legal counsel.

Over the past decade, Michelle has owned and operated multiple retail businesses employing more than 60 individuals, assuming responsibility for all aspects of operations, including entity formation, contract negotiation, employment matters, regulatory compliance, and long-term strategic planning. In addition, she has served as in-house counsel and trusted legal advisor to executive leadership teams, negotiating complex commercial agreements and providing guidance on risk management, compliance, and corporate strategy. Her experience enables her to appreciate the real-world impact of business decisions, not only on the organization itself, but also on the employees and families who depend on it.

Michelle often speaks about what she calls the “dump truck theory,” the idea that at any given moment, the unexpected can happen. When it does, business owners need to know their people will still get paid, their operations will continue, and their families will be protected.

That philosophy drives her work in business planning, succession, and trusts and estates. She helps clients put thoughtful structures in place so that, if the unthinkable occurs, chaos does not follow.

Her dedication to proactive planning was profoundly shaped by a personal experience that revealed how unprepared her own affairs were and served as a catalyst for change. From that point forward, Michelle developed a heightened sense of urgency regarding estate planning and continuity planning for business owners. This experience not only informs her empathetic and pragmatic approach but also gives her a deep appreciation for how legal decisions play out in real life.

In addition, Michelle spent many years in academia as a Program Director and Assistant Professor of Legal Studies and Business, where she both taught and developed curriculum in legal and business subjects. This academic background further strengthens her ability to distill complex legal concepts into clear, practical, and actionable guidance.

At Goosmann, Michelle focuses her practice on business transactions, and the design of business succession and estate planning strategies to protect both companies and the people behind them. She is particularly passionate about helping business owners move from a place of isolation to one of confidence, reminding them that it’s okay to ask for help and that planning ahead is an act of leadership. Michelle doesn’t just understand the legal side of business ownership. She understands the human side. And that’s what makes her a trusted advisor to the clients she serves.

Michelle’s “WHY”

Outside of her practice, Michelle is a strong advocate for women in traditionally male-dominated industries and a believer in paving the way for those who follow. Her “why” is rooted in family, especially her daughters, and in modeling what is possible through preparation, resilience, and purpose.

BAR ADMISSIONS

• State: South Dakota

EDUCATION

University of South Dakota School of Law, Vermillion, SD

• Juris Doctor, 2004

University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD

• Master of Business Administration, 2003

University of South Dakota, Vermillion, SD

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice, 2000
• Minor in Business Administration, 2000

PROFESSIONAL LICENSES

South Dakota State Insurance Commission

• Property/Casualty/Life/Health License

Insurance Designations

• CRIS – Construction Risk Insurance Specialist
• Certified Insurance Counselor Designation CIC – In progress
• National Association of Surety Bond Producers – Bond level 1 Certificate

EMPLOYMENT

Goosmann Law Firm, Omaha, NE

Senior Counsel, Jan. 2026 – Current

• Advises business owners and leadership teams on business formation, transactions, contracts, succession planning, and risk management, drawing on extensive experience as both outside and in-house counsel.
• Represents clients in trusts and estates matters, including estate planning and business continuity planning, with a focus on protecting families, employees, and long-term operations.
• Serves as a strategic advisor to closely held and family-owned businesses, helping clients proactively address legal issues that impact growth, governance, and legacy planning.

Michelle Lounsbery Attorney at Law, Prof. LLC, Sioux Falls, SD

Court Appointed Attorney – Minnehaha County, Jan. 2025 – Jan. 2026

• Abuse & Neglect Cases
• Juvenile Cases
• Criminal Law

Private Practice Attorney, May 2007 – Jan. 2026

• Specializing in employment law, construction law, construction contracts, and business law

Lam Enterprises, LLC/FTBWSF/Lam Spa (8 Locations)

CEO/Owner – Managing Member, May 2025 – Oct. 2025

• In charge of all aspects of owning and operating retail stores
• Legal matters – business entity formation, lease agreements/termination agreements, employment law

Howalt+McDowell Insurance, a Marsh & McLennan Agency LLC Company (MMA), Sioux Falls, SD

Legal Counsel/Large Construction Sales, May 2015 – Jun. 2016

• Contract review and negotiation, subcontracts, lease agreements and various other legal consultations with senior leaders and outside clients
• Served as counsel to the Property/Casualty and Wellness/Benefits Divisions of MMA
• Corporate compliance – served as liaison between MMA Corporate and Howalt on compliance/regulatory issues
• Educated employees on compliance policies
• Co-Lead the United Way Campaign – 3 years and Culture Club Member – Wellness Member – 2 years
• Property and casualty insurance sales – licensed to sell insurance in South Dakota
• Howalt University webinars presented: Indemnification, Bonds, Insurance, Contracts, and Risk Management

Associated General Contractors of South Dakota – Building Chapter, Sioux Falls, SD

Executive Director, Jan. 2012 – May 2013

• Provided leadership and administration to the Board of Directors (14) and Associate Board of Directors (7)
• Budgeted and managed all financial activities
• Provided leadership in fund raising activities and events
• Legal evaluation and recommendations
• Evaluated and recommended services and products to AGC members

Southeast Technical Institute Foundation (STI), Sioux Falls, SD

Executive Director/Institutional Advancement Officer, Feb. 2011 – Dec. 2011

• Provided leadership for the STI Foundation, STI Foundation Board, and coordination between the Foundation, the community, and all departments of STI
• Recommended to the President and the Foundation Board of Directors, courses of action which strategically link the needs of STI with available external resources
• Ensured compliance with federal, state, and local laws; and the STI Foundation policies and practices
• Responsible for budgeting and overall management of the STI foundation, the development efforts, and stewardship of external resources
• Developed and managed STI Foundation events and social activities
• Organized Alumni Association Committee and coordinated two additional STI Foundation Board Committees
• Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP) strategy forum team member 2011

Bellevue University, Bellevue, NE

Program Director/Assistant Professor of Legal Studies and Business, Nov. 2005 – Feb. 2022

• Responsible for educating online and in-class accelerated students on the following topics: Finance, Research, Accounting, Economics, Legal Environment of Business, Communications, Information Technology, Contracts, Torts, Civil Procedure, Research, and Legal Writing
• Responsible for educating online and in-class accelerated students on the following Legal Studies topics: Legal Research, Legal Writing, Criminal Law, U.S. Courts, Torts, Contracts, Civil Procedure, Ethics, and Constitutional Law
• Developed curriculum for Legal Studies Program and Accelerated Business Program at Bellevue University
• Responsible for all Bellevue University satellite office adjunct instructors
• Redesigned online Legal Studies curriculum to include Softchalk and Camtasia interactive tools
• Responsible for designing an assessment schedule and philosophy within the College of Professional studies
• AQIP strategy forum team member for 2010

Harbor Group/Interstates Companies, Sioux Center, IA

In-House Counsel and Contracts Manager, May 2004 – May 2007

Legal Intern Dec. 2003 – May 2004

• Redesigned the contract administration process for all Harbor Group operating companies: Interstates Construction, Interstates Engineering, Interstates Control Systems, and Harbor Consulting Group
• Created standard contracts for all operating companies
• Responsible for insurance and bonding compliance
• Served as a liaison to outside counsel
• Assisted Human Resources with all legal employment documents and employment issues
• Assisted CFO with corporate minutes and other corporate documents
• Drafted and implemented Stockholder Agreements for all Stockholders
• Conducted legal research and drafted memoranda to all senior leaders on a variety of legal issues

PRESENTATIONS

• YWCA – Women’s Leadership Guest Speaker – Negotiation – 2012
• 2013 NAWIC – Negotiation
• 2014 Howalt University – Contracts, Indemnification, Bonds
• 2015 Howalt University – Contracts, Indemnification, Risk Management
• 2016 – AGC – When Crap Rolls Up Hill – Risk management/Insurance Certificates
• 2016 – CFMA – Insurance Certificate Management

COMMUNITY INVOLVMENT

• Softball and Big Sioux Volleyball Coach 2020-2025
• YWCA Mentor for Protégé Program – 2013 to 2018
• NAWIC Member– 2012 to 2016
• Associated General Contractors Member – 2013 to 2018
• Dress for Success Board Member – 2013 – 2015
• CFMA Member- 2013 – 2017
• Southeast Technical Institute Advisory Board Member – 2012 to 2018
• SCORE Volunteer – 2013- 2015
• Bethany Christian Services Board Member 2017 to 2021
• Bethany Christian Services Board Chair 2018 to 2019
• Softball Coach – 4th Grade – Summer 2019
• Basketball Coach – 3rd Grade – Fall 2019