Title 16 — COURTS AND JUDICIARY

Terms used in this chapter mean: 1. Board – the South Dakota Board of Bar Examiners; 2. Law school – the University of South Dakota Knudson School of Law; 3. NCBE – the National Conference of Bar Examiners; 4. Public service – full-time employment within South Dakota with any fed…

The Supreme Court shall appoint an oversight committee to monitor the public service pathway program and suggest changes. The committee must include one member from the law school, one from the board, and one from the Supreme Court. Source: SL 2025, ch 227 ( Supreme Court Rule 25…

Each participant shall comply with the South Dakota Rules of Professional Responsibility. Failure to do so may result in denial of admission to practice law as an attorney in this state and referral to the Disciplinary Board. The board may refer a participant to the Disciplinary …

Regulations of the Board of Bar Examiners--Public Service Pathway Program. Regulation 1. Each participant must prepare and submit a portfolio of work product. By May 31 of the year of placement, the board shall publish the requirements of the portfolio. Regulation 2. After each c…

The board is authorized to promulgate policies and regulations necessary to implement this program. Source: SL 2025, ch 227 ( Supreme Court Rule 25-01), eff. Feb. 21, 2025. Commission Note: This section is effective until February 21, 2030, per §

The application for admission to practice law as an attorney in this state and all accompanying materials, including investigative reports and transcripts but not including portfolio submissions, are confidential and for the use of the board, the Supreme Court, and its staff in d…

An individual may be admitted to the public service pathway program if the student: 1. Is currently enrolled at the law school; 2. Completes an application for participation and is approved by the dean of the law school and the hiring authority of the host public service entity w…

A participant in the public service pathway program shall complete a minimum of 500 hours of work experience as a legal extern with a host public service entity approved by the dean of the law school. The host public service entity shall offer a variety of experiences and opportu…

Notwithstanding § 16-16-6 , an applicant may obtain admission to practice as an attorney in this state through the public service pathway program if the applicant: 1. Meets the requirements set forth in § 16-16-2 ; 2. Complies with the criminal background investigation as require…

On or before October 1 during the semester of placement with a host public service entity, participants seeking admission to practice as an attorney in this state through the public service pathway program shall submit to the board: 1. An application on the form provided by the b…

Upon completion of the public service pathway program and the board’s character and fitness investigation, the board shall make a recommendation regarding the participant’s admission to practice as an attorney in this state to the Supreme Court for its consideration and order. So…

Upon admission to the practice of law through the public service pathway program, a participant shall complete two years of public service. The two-year commitment must be completed within three years of the date of admission to practice as an attorney in this state. The time a p…

A participant seeking a waiver or extension of time to complete the public service requirement must submit a written request for waiver or extension to the secretary of the board as soon as practicable. Upon receiving a waiver or extension of time to complete the public service r…

Each participant shall report to the secretary of the board the participant’s place of employment until completion of the public service requirement. The participant shall file with the secretary of the board an affidavit upon a form provided by the board attesting to the complet…