Our History
From Ulysses S. Grant Cherry’s 1891 founding to today’s practice — continuous service to Sioux Falls and South Dakota.
Founded in 1891; in continuous practice since
The Cadwell Law Firm began in 1891 with Ulysses S. Grant Cherry and has operated without interruption since. We were a founding member of the Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce (1907) and have worked alongside the region’s business community ever since.
Joe Cadwell earned his law degree from USD in 1941 and later served as an infantry major in World War II. In 1945 he joined Gale Braithwaite in Sioux Falls as a caretaker of Cherry’s practice; under his leadership the firm became known for banking, insurance, real estate, litigation, bankruptcy, and probate work.
130+ Years Serving South Dakota
From Cherry’s founding to today’s Cadwell, Sanford, Deibert & Garry, LLP.
Ulysses S. Grant Cherry opens the firm in Sioux Falls (the year South Dakota joined the Union). We have been in continuous practice ever since.
Law degree from USD and orders to Fort Snelling as the U.S. entered World War II.
Joe Cadwell
In 1945 he joined Gale Braithwaite in Sioux Falls to carry forward Cherry’s practice; the firm grew into a full-service shop under his leadership.
Together they carried forward the practice Ulysses S. Grant Cherry began—the line from which our firm still descends.
The partnership formed as Cadwell, Sanford, Deibert & Garry, combining decades of experience into one coordinated Sioux Falls practice.
Expanded into healthcare, employment, insurance, banking, and IP as clients’ needs grew more complex.
15+ attorneys from our downtown office, spanning litigation, healthcare, estates, family law, transactions, and more — still rooted in Cherry’s 1891 foundation as Cadwell, Sanford, Deibert & Garry, LLP.
Following in Joe’s footsteps
In 2016 the State Bar of South Dakota honored Joe for 75 years of practice; he was in the office daily until 97 and passed in January 2019. We aim to match his decency, loyalty, and generosity in how we serve clients.
Values Carried Forward Since 1891
The same principles guide our Sioux Falls attorneys in court, transactions, and day-to-day client work.
Integrity first
Straightforward counsel and trust earned over decades.
Rooted in community
We represent the businesses, families, and institutions that built this region.
Practical results
Sharp work aimed at real outcomes in court, negotiations, and regulatory matters.
Serving Sioux Falls and All of South Dakota
From downtown Sioux Falls we represent clients statewide — families, businesses, banks, healthcare providers, and public entities — in South Dakota’s state and federal courts and in transactions and regulatory matters across the Upper Midwest.