Support Staff

Meet Camie Merry. Camie is the office manager at Lockwood & Zahrbock Kool Law Office. Camie has been ensuring that the office is running efficient and smooth since 2003. 

Camie grew up in Sioux Falls, SD and graduated from Washington High School. She attended Augustana College for one year, before she and her husband moved to Germany where her husband was stationed with the United States Army. In 1990, she and her husband moved back to Sioux Falls where she started working for the Minnehaha County Clerk of Courts Office and then the Public Defender’s Office before coming to Lockwood & Zahrbock Kool Law Office in 2003.

Camie likes working at Lockwood Law Office because of the respect, help, and compassion her office gives to clients when they are at a very difficult time in their lives. 

Outside of work, Camie enjoys spending as much time as possible with her family and friends, boating, traveling, shopping and cooking. 

Meet Kari Eschenbaum. Starting in March 2013, Kari is a paralegal at Lockwood & Zahrbock Kool Law Office.

Before coming to Lockwood & Zahrbock Kool Law Office, Kari worked for the Minnehaha County Public Defender’s Office for 7 ½ years. She also is very experienced in the mental health field. She has a Bachelor’s Degree with a major in psychology and minor in sociology. Before working at the Public Defender’s Office, Kari worked at Avera McKennan Behavioral Health in the acute psychiatric unit for 6 years. Kari also has an AssociatesDegree in paralegal studies.

Kari truly enjoys helping people in the legal setting, whether they are going through a divorce or custody case or are charged with a criminal offense. Clients tell us have said that Kari is a very good listener. 

Kari is here to assist clients when they are in “crisis mode”. Whether that is on the phone or in person, Kari enjoys talking and meeting with clients to discuss matters at hand, put them at ease, or simply answer any questions they have. 

Outside of work Kari enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter. She also enjoys attending sporting events, music concerts, and traveling. Kari is a member of the South Dakota Paralegal Association.

Meet Stephanie Emmert. Stephanie is the legal assistant at Lockwood & Zahrbock Kool Law Office. 

Prior to starting in our office in March 2021, Stephanie worked at the Minnehaha County Courthouse in the Court Services Office as a Court Services Secretary. Stephanie will be the first face you see when you come into our office as she greets clients, answers phones and helps with the administrative duties. 

Stephanie likes working at Lockwood Law Office because of the atmosphere and her co-workers. She enjoys talking to potential and current clients and being the first voice of the office when they call in and being a helping hand wherever needed. 

Stephanie grew up in Baltic, SD and graduated from Baltic High School. 

Outside of work, Stephanie enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She enjoys the summer season the most for grilling out, camping, fishing and spending time in her garden.

Joining Lockwood & Zahrbock Kool Law in the Fall of 2022, meet Emily Klein. Emily comes to the firm after having worked at the Sioux Falls Police Department; Minnehaha County Clerk of Courts Office; and most recently the Minnehaha Public Defender’s Office. Prior to joining the Sioux Falls community, Emily attended the University of South Dakota with a criminal justice degree. Emily’s Paralegal Certification is through Purdue. 

 Emily’s diverse background is an asset to her work within the firm; along with her ability to connect with and work alongside clients in family and criminal law matters. Emily’s willingness to assist and educate provides those around her the opportunity to feel more secure in the process. 

 Outside the firm, Emily spends her time spoiling her black lab, Grizzly; boosting her music knowledge; doing yoga; and spending time with family and friends.