Jess M. Pekarski grew up on a farm in Southeastern North Dakota. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree cum laude in Criminal Justice from Jamestown College in Jamestown, North Dakota, in 1999. Jess graduated cum laude from Creighton University School of Law in Omaha, Nebraska, in 2002. After graduation, Jess joined the Firm of Costello Porter in Rapid City, South Dakota, in June 2002. He primarily practices in the areas of private client services including estate planning, real estate, and commercial transactions. He wrote an article for Black Hills Home etc. on ‘Contract for Deed versus Mortgage Financing’ in January 2004. He also gave a presentation on Supplemental Needs Trusts and Guardianships for the Autism Society of the Black Hills in July 2005.