Gene R. Bushnell graduated from the University of South Dakota in 1960 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. He was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Scholastics Honorary Group. He served as an ROTC officer in the United States Army in 1960 and 1961. In 1964, Gene graduated from the George Washington University Law School with a J.D. degree with honors.

Gene was an assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota from 1965 to 1969. He primarily handled tort claims against the United States. He also conducted criminal prosecutions and handled appeals for the United States in the Court of Appeals.

Gene joined Costello Porter in 1969. His primary focus has been as a trial lawyer with special emphasis on civil litigation, commercial disputes, personal injury claims, insurance related matters, the defense of professionals, and domestic relations disputes. He has extensive experience with jury trials, mediations and arbitrations.

His professional memberships include the State Bar of South Dakota, the South Dakota Trial Lawyers Association, the International Association of Defense Counsel, American Bar Association, American Trial Lawyers Association, American Association for Justice, Defense Research Institute, the American Board of Trial Advocates (Advocate), the South Dakota Defense Lawyers Association and the International Society of Barristers.

In Gene's personal life, he is an avid gardener and sports fan.