Mark W. Haigh
Partner
Mark’s practice is primarily devoted to complex commercial litigation and serious personal injury litigation. Mark has extensive experience in health care law, including the defense of medical malpractice cases and the representation of medical practitioners before administrative boards and licensing agencies. He also has litigated and tried cases involving commercial disputes, traumatic brain injury, products liability, catastrophic motor vehicle and trucking accidents, and premises liability. Mark has tried over 50 jury trials and was named by Best Lawyers in America® as a Sioux Falls Lawyer of the Year in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024, and 2025.
Mark is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and served as its State Chair in 2017 – 2019. Mark is also a Fellow of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers and a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, serving as its State President in 2012 – 2013. Mark has been listed in Best Lawyers® since 2006, is named as a band one medical malpractice defense attorney in Chambers USA, and is recognized as a Super Lawyer by Great Plains Super Lawyers.
Practice Areas
Professional Liability Defense
Health Care
Products Liability
Commercial and Complex Litigation
Personal Injury
Trucking Litigation
Professional Experience
Evans Haigh & Arndt LLP
Partner 2016 – Present
Davenport, Evans, Hurwitz & Smith, LLP
Partner 1997 – 2015
Associate 1993 – 1996
Doherty, Rumble & Butler
Associate 1991 – 1993
Law Clerk to Honorable Donald J. Porter, Chief Judge
U.S. District Court, South Dakota: 1990 – 1991
Education
University of South Dakota
(B.A., 1986)
University of Minnesota
(J.D., magna cum laude, 1990)
Phi Beta Kappa
Licensure
Admitted to Practice (State)
South Dakota, 1993
Minnesota, 1991
Admitted to Practice (Federal)
United States Supreme Court, 2017
United States Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit, 1991
United States District Court, District of South Dakota, 1993
United States District Court, District of Minnesota, 1991
Professional Honors and Memberships
“AV” Peer Review Rating
Martindale-Hubbell (Martindale’s highest rating)
State Bar of South Dakota
South Dakota Second Circuit Bar Association
Minnesota State Bar Association
American Bar Association
South Dakota Defense Lawyers Association
Defense Research Institute
American Board of Trial Advocates
(President, South Dakota Chapter: 2012 – 2013)
Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers
(State Chair, South Dakota: 2017 – 2019)
Fellow, International Academy of Trial Lawyers
Fellow, American Bar Foundation
South Dakota Judicial Qualifications Commission: 2016 – 2024
(Commission Chair: 2020 – 2024)
South Dakota Federal Practice Committee: 2014 – 2021
South Dakota Pattern Jury Instruction Committee: 2005 – 2016
Appointed legal counsel to South Dakota Government Accountability Board: 2022 – 2023
Appointed Recount Referee for Minnehaha County, South Dakota Primary Election: 2022
Completed 30 Hour General Civil Mediation Skills training through the Mediation Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota
