South Dakota’s attorney shortfall persists, but new legislation could help

By: Roger Baron

Outlets: South Dakota Searchlight

Published: February 21, 2026

Words: 625

Last Updated: 2 weeks, 4 days ago

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State Rep. Mary Fitzgerald, R-Saint Onge, wants to enhance the delivery of legal services in South Dakota. She has filed legislation, House Bill 1270, designed to expand the state Supreme Court’s new apprenticeship program, adopted in February 2025.

The new program provides an opportunity to third-year (senior) law students. HB 1270 would extend the apprenticeship opportunity to existing graduates of the University of South Dakota’s Knudson School of Law. Her bipartisan proposal is cosponsored …

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