Brenda was raised on a farm near Scotland, South Dakota.  After graduating from high school, she attended the University of South Dakota and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice in 1994 and then continued at USD to obtain her Juris Doctorate graduating in 1997.  She completed her last semester of law school at the University of Montana as a visiting student. While in law school, Brenda was a member of the Client Counseling and Negotiation Board and worked for the legal aid office at both universities.

Brenda has been with the law firm since 1999 and has focused primarily on estate planning, real estate transactions, probates and trust administration, business transactions, and income tax. Prior to joining the firm, Brenda clerked one year for the Fifth Judicial Circuit in South Dakota. Brenda was an active member of the Young Lawyers Association and served as the President in 2002.  Brenda served as a chair of the mental illness board for Lincoln County from 2009 through 2019.

Brenda has been involved in her community, as a member of the Rotary Club, P.E.O. which provides educational opportunities for women, numerous activities at church and school, and has taught ethics to high schoolers with Junior Achievement.  She is also the legal counsel for several nonprofit organizations including the Canton Economic Development Corporation and local municipalities.

Brenda enjoys spending time outdoors by boating, golfing, and hiking in the summer and downhill skiing in the winter.  She also loves to spend time with her husband and her three adult children.