The firm has a remarkable history spanning over 125 years. Tynan Spangler founded the firm in 1893 and was soon joined by Chester (“Chet”) L. Morgan, followed by Harry (“Had”) T. Fuller. The firm was known as Morgan and Fuller for many years. They quickly built a reputation as trial lawyers. One of the most publicized cases involved Chet Morgan’s representation of 16 year old Stella Mae Dickson in 1939. Stella Mae was part of a “Bonnie and Clyde” style husband and wife bank robbery duo who were labeled by the FBI as Public Enemy No. 1 and Public Enemy No. 2 in 1939.

Chet Morgan’s two sons Robert Morgan and John (“Jack”) Morgan joined the firm in downtown Mitchell. Robert later served as a South Dakota Supreme Court Justice. Jack Morgan practiced law with the firm from 1957 until his retirement in 2002. Two other attorneys, including Had Fuller’s son, Pete Fuller and Tim Tucker, practiced with the firm for years and later became state circuit court judges. 

In 1999, the firm expanded to Huron, South Dakota with the acquisition of Fingerson & Erickson. In 2001, the Huron office merged with Ronald J. Wheeler who has been practicing law in the Huron area since 1971. The firm is currently named MorganTheeler LLP and has offices in Huron and Mitchell. The locations of the offices in the center of the state permit a broad geographic area of service. 

The attorneys have noted expertise in business, litigation, estate planning and administration, along with a variety of transactional matters. The firm also has a strong reputation for its community service, with the attorneys serving on multiple charitable and service organization boards of directors.