Official Summary Text
provide an apprenticeship pathway to practice law in South Dakota.
Official keyword topics:
Courts and Judiciary
Criminal Background Investigation
Licensure
Official sponsor note: Representatives <a rel="noopener" href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/4750/Detail">Fitzgerald</a> (prime), <a rel="noopener" href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/4749/Detail">Emery</a>, <a rel="noopener" href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/4753/Detail">Goodwin</a>, and <a rel="noopener" href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/4809/Detail">Reimer</a> and Senator <a rel="noopener" href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/4765/Detail">Hulse</a> (prime)
Current Bill Text
Read the full stored bill text
26.761.26 101st Legislative Session 1270
2026 South Dakota Legislature
House Bill 1270
Introduced by: Representative Fitzgerald
Underscores indicate new language.
Overstrikes indicate deleted language.
An Act to provide an apprenticeship pathway to practice law in South Dakota. 1
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA: 2
Section 1. That a NEW SECTION be added to a NEW CHAPTER in title 16: 3
The Legislature hereby creates a legal apprenticeship pathway to licensure as an 4
attorney in the state of South Dakota. 5
Section 2. That a NEW SECTION be added to a NEW CHAPTER in title 16: 6
The Legislature hereby creates a legal apprenticeship program if the following 7
conditions are met: 8
(1) The applicant is a graduate of the University of South Dakota School of Law; 9
(2) The applicant is a resident of the state of South Dakota at the time of 10
commencement of the apprenticeship and completion; and 11
(3) The applicant successfully completes six hundred seventy-five hours of supervised 12
apprenticeship under a qualified supervising attorney within the state of South 13
Dakota. 14
A supervising attorney may include an attorney employed by or associated with a 15
government legal department, or any attorney engaged in the private practice of law. 16
Section 3. That a NEW SECTION be added to a NEW CHAPTER in title 16: 17
A supervising attorney shall: 18
(1) Be licensed and in good standing to practice law in this state; and 19
(2) Have engaged in the full-time practice of law for not less than seven years. 20
Section 4. That a NEW SECTION be added to a NEW CHAPTER in title 16: 21
The supervising attorney shall certify that: 22
26.761.26 2 1270
Underscores indicate new language.
Overstrikes indicate deleted language.
(1) The apprentice has faithfully completed six hundred seventy -five hours of 1
supervised apprenticeship within a period not to exceed one year; 2
(2) The apprentice has demonstrated satisfactory performance of assigned tasks and 3
responsibilities; and 4
(3) The apprentice has demonstrated knowledge and proficiency in legal ethics and 5
professional responsibility. 6
Section 5. That a NEW SECTION be added to a NEW CHAPTER in title 16: 7
Prior to licensure, each applicant shall undergo and successfully pass a criminal 8
background investigation pursuant to the provisions of § 16-16-2.6. 9
Section 6. That a NEW SECTION be added to a NEW CHAPTER in title 16: 10
Upon satisfactory completion of all apprenticeship requirements, certification by 11
the supervising attorney, and fulfillment of all statutory conditions, the apprentice shall 12
be granted a license to practice law in this state. 13
Section 7. That a NEW SECTION be added to a NEW CHAPTER in title 16: 14
As a condition of licensure under this apprenticeship pathway, each newly licensed 15
attorney shall perform a minimum of fifty hours of pro bono legal services per year for a 16
period of five years following the date of licensure. 17