Sheila Woodward

Sheila’s practice includes estate planning, business formation and operation, and real estate. Sheila works closely with farmers and small business owners to address their operational and succession planning needs. Sheila prepares revocable trusts, wills, and powers of attorney for clients of all ages. Sheila also represents trustees and executors with probate and trust administration issues. In connection with these services, Sheila handles personal, commercial, and agricultural real estate transactions, including contracts for deed and leases.

Like her colleagues, Sheila is committed to making Yankton a great place to live. Over the past two decades, Sheila has served on many non-profit boards, including River City Domestic Violence Center, Heartland Humane Society, Bush Foundation South Dakota Advisory Council, Lutheran Social Services, Yankton Special Olympics, Trinity Lutheran Church Executive Council, Big Friend/Little Friend, and the Yankton Area Foundation. She was appointed to the South Dakota Advisory Committee of the United States Commission on Civil Rights in 2014, serving until 2017.

Sheila is married to Chris Sonne who works in compliance at First Dakota National Bank in Yankton. Sheila enjoys traveling, cooking, reading British mystery novels, and beating Steve Huff in fantasy football.

Sheila graduated summa cum laude from Augustana College (now Augustana University) in Sioux Falls, South Dakota with a degree in Economics and Government/International Affairs. She then attended the University of Iowa College of Law, graduating with highest distinction and being named a member of the Order of the Coif. After clerking for the late Honorable Thomas M. Shanahan in Nebraska federal court, Sheila started working for the firm. She has been a partner since 2002. She is admitted to practice in South Dakota, Iowa, and Nebraska. She is also admitted to the United States District Courts in South Dakota and Nebraska, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court. She is a member of the Real Property, Probate, and Trust Law Section of the South Dakota State Bar.