The South Dakota Supreme Court is set to hold a rules hearing on February 18, 2025, at 10 a.m. CST in the Supreme Court Courtroom located in the State Capitol, Pierre. The purpose of this hearing is to discuss the potential adoption of rules for a proposed public service pathway to bar admission program.
In 2023, the Supreme Court appointed a steering committee tasked with examining the needs of legal providers, including the bar admissions process. The committee's final report suggested creating a streamlined pathway to bar admission focused on public interest. Following this recommendation, another committee was formed to develop an implementation proposal for the program. This proposal was submitted to the Supreme Court in December 2024.
The proposed program would be administered through collaboration between the University of South Dakota Knudson School of Law and the South Dakota Board of Bar Examiners. It includes a supervised practice component alongside the existing character and fitness review process. Participants who meet all requirements and commit to a term of public service would be admitted into practice.