About Our Attorneys
Timothy Rensch
2017 Trial Lawyer of the Year & Criminal Defense Lawyer of the Year
Timothy is a fellow of the American Board of Criminal Lawyers, which is a group of approximately 225 elite lawyers throughout the United States and England. Mr. Rensch is one of two lawyers in the state of South Dakota who is a member of this elite group, the other being a retired judge. Mr. Rensch is also a lifetime member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers – South Dakota’s only lifetime member. Timothy Rensch is a two-time past president of the Black Hills Criminal Defense Bar. He is also a member of the American Association of Trial Lawyers and past President of the South Dakota Trial Lawyers Association. Specializing in criminal defense, Mr. Rensch has 30 years of active jury trial experience, including many noteworthy and nationally-covered cases. He has handled many high-profile murder, rape, drug, DUI, and serious jury cases in South Dakota. He has also tried personal injury and civil cases.
Today, Timothy Rensch has been practicing criminal and civil law in the Black Hills for over 30 years. His passion for helping people makes him a person who makes sure their voices are heard.
John S. Rusch
A graduate of the University of South Dakota Law School, prior to joining RENSCH LAW in Rapid City, Mr. Rusch tried over one hundred criminal cases while practicing law in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and then Sioux City, Iowa. Mr. Rusch handles very serious felony cases, including homicide, rape, drug charges, financial crimes, and felony drunk driving offenses. He also handles cases involving family law, divorce, and child custody. A licensed commercial pilot, Mr. Rusch also represents clients in Federal Aviation Agency review and licensing matters.
Kyra J. Sundleaf
Kyra is a committed legal professional specializing in Criminal Law. She earned her Juris Doctor from the University of North Dakota School of Law after completing her undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice, with a minor in Psychology, at the University of South Dakota. As a lifelong resident of South Dakota, Kyra is passionate about returning to her community to provide impactful legal services.
During her time in law school, she actively participated in the Criminal Law Association, the 2023-2024 North Dakota Legislative Externship, and Moot Court, which helped her develop her legal skills and advocacy abilities. Kyra also gained practical experience through externships in both prosecution and indigent defense. Currently, she focuses her practice on Criminal Law, utilizing her knowledge and dedication to serve her clients effectively.
Connor McCormick
Connor attended undergraduate school at the University of South Dakota, and later obtained his Juris Doctor from the University of North Dakota School of Law.
Connor has called Rapid City home for the past 15 years and takes great pride in serving the community he considers his own. His legal experience is broad and well-rounded, shaped by his participation in the 2023–2024 North Dakota Legislative Externship, where he worked as part of the Legislative Counsel for the North Dakota Legislative Assembly. He also gained valuable courtroom insight during a summer clerkship with the Honorable Judge Douglas Mattson — the longest-serving judge in the history of North Dakota’s North Central Judicial District. Before transitioning into criminal defense, Connor worked in prosecution, giving him a comprehensive understanding of both sides of the justice system.
His background reflects not only his dedication to the law but also his commitment to advocating for fairness and integrity in every case he handles.
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