Law students, legal professionals, and others interested in child welfare law will have an opportunity to learn from experts on April 3, 2025. The fourth annual Legal Workshop is presented by the South Dakota Unified Judicial System, University of South Dakota Knudson School of Law, and Center for the Prevention of Child Maltreatment. It will take place at the Muenster University Center in Vermillion.
This year's workshop will focus on two topics: the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) and the representation of immigrants and refugees. South Dakota Supreme Court Chief Justice Steven R. Jensen will open the event with remarks.
The morning sessions include “ICWA: The History and a South Dakota Perspective” by Dan Lewerns from the University of North Dakota School of Law, who is also director of Indian Law. Sheldon Spotted Elk, senior director of judicial and national engagement at Casey Family Programs, will present “ICWA in Practice.” These sessions aim to discuss why ICWA was passed, its relevance today, and how it works in practice.
In the afternoon, Taneeza Islam, director of SD Voices for Peace, will deliver a keynote titled “Representation of Immigrants and Refugees.” This session addresses challenges when representing immigrant children and parents in child welfare cases.
The workshop begins at 9 a.m. CST with a light breakfast and lunch provided. It concludes by 4:30 p.m. Registration is required at https://sdcpcm.com/legalworkshop.
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About SD Unified Judicial System: The Unified Judicial System includes the Supreme Court, Circuit Courts, and State Court Administrator’s Office. The Supreme Court is South Dakota's highest court. Circuit Courts handle criminal proceedings and civil litigation. The State Court Administrator’s Office provides administrative support for the judiciary.
About USD's School of Health Sciences: A leader in interprofessional health sciences education developing scholars and practitioners across various health fields.
About Knudson School of Law: Prepares students for leadership roles with strong job placement rates and experiential learning opportunities.
About USD: Founded in 1862 as the first university in Dakotas offering diverse programs with nearly 10,000 students enrolled.