PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: February 21, 2025
Contact: Alisa Bousa, Public Information Officer, Alisa.Bousa@ujs.state.sd.us, 605.773.2031
Supreme Court Adopts Public Service Pathway to Bar Admission Pilot Program Rules
PIERRE, S.D.—The South Dakota Supreme Court today adopted rules implementing a five-year pilot program providing a public service pathway to bar admission. Adoption of the rules followed a hearing on Feb. 18, 2025. Read the rules.
The Supreme Court appointed an implementation committee in 2024 as the result of a recommendation to explore alternative paths to bar admission. The South Dakota Bar Licensure Implementation Committee proposed a five-year public service pathway to bar admission pilot program. This initiative creates an alternative route to bar licensure by combining legal education, practical experience and public service commitments, without requiring a traditional bar exam.
Administered through the cooperation of the University of South Dakota Knudson School of Law and the South Dakota Board of Bar Examiners, this pilot program will incorporate a supervised practice program with the current character and fitness review process. If all requirements are met to the Board’s satisfaction and the participants commit to two years of public service, the participants will be admitted into the practice of law.
The program will only be open to students at the University of South Dakota Knudson School of Law and will be limited to a maximum of 10 students that meet specific criteria in each law school class during the pilot.
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About South Dakota Courts: The Unified Judicial System (UJS) consists of the Supreme Court, Circuit Courts and State Court Administrator’s Office. The Supreme Court is the state’s highest court and final decision maker on South Dakota law. The Circuit Courts are the state’s trial courts where criminal proceedings and civil litigation are handled. The State Court Administrator’s Office provides centralized administrative assistance and support services for the South Dakota judiciary. Learn more at https://ujs.sd.gov.