<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta charset="UTF-8" /><meta http-equiv='content-language' content='en-us'/><title>SDLRC - Codified Law 16-18-34 - Definition of legal assistant. </title><meta name="Generator" content="PowerTools for Open XML" /><style>span { white-space: pre-wrap; } p.s2044866Normal { margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 108%; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; } span.s2044866SENU { font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; } span.s2044866CL { font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; } p.s2044866Normal-000000 { margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0; text-indent: 0.50in; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 108%; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; } span.s2044866DefaultParagraphFont { font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0; padding: 0; } span.s2044866000001 { font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0; padding: 0; } span.s2044866SCL { font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; } span.s2044866SCL-000002 { font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0; padding: 0; } </style></head><body><div><p dir="ltr" class="s2044866Normal"><a href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/Codified_Laws/DisplayStatute.aspx?Type=Statute&amp;Statute=16-18-34"><span class="s2044866SENU">16-18-34</span></a><span xml:space="preserve" class="s2044866SENU">. </span><span class="s2044866CL">Definition of legal assistant.</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2044866Normal-000000"><span xml:space="preserve" class="s2044866DefaultParagraphFont">Legal assistants (also known as paralegals) are a distinguishable group of persons who assist licensed attorneys in the delivery of legal services. Through formal education, training, and experience, legal assistants have knowledge and expertise regarding the legal system, substantive and procedural law, the ethical considerations of the legal profession, and the Rules of Professional Conduct as stated in chapter </span><a href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/Codified_Laws/DisplayStatute.aspx?Type=Statute&amp;Statute=16-18"><span class="s2044866DefaultParagraphFont">16-18</span></a><span class="s2044866DefaultParagraphFont">, which qualify them to do work of a legal nature under the employment and direct supervision of a licensed attorney. This rule shall apply to all unlicensed persons employed by a licensed attorney who are represented to the public or clients as possessing training or education which qualifies them to assist in the handling of legal matters or document preparation for the client.</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2044866Normal"><span xml:space="preserve" class="s2044866000001"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2044866Normal"><span class="s2044866SCL">Source:</span><span xml:space="preserve" class="s2044866SCL-000002"> SL 1992, ch 370 (Supreme Court Rule 92-5); Supreme Court Rule 97-25.</span></p></div></body></html><br /><hr><br /><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta charset="UTF-8" /><meta http-equiv='content-language' content='en-us'/><title>SDLRC - Codified Law 16-18-34 - Definition of legal assistant. </title><meta name="Generator" content="PowerTools for Open XML" /><style>span { white-space: pre-wrap; } p.s2044867Normal { text-align: justify; font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 108%; margin-top: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-bottom: .001pt; } span.s2044867SENU { font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; } span.s2044867CL { font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; } p.s2044867Normal-000000 { text-indent: 0.50in; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 108%; margin-top: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-bottom: .001pt; } span.s2044867DefaultParagraphFont { font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0; padding: 0; } p.s2044867Normal-000001 { margin-left: 0.70in; text-indent: -0.45in; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 108%; margin-top: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-bottom: .001pt; } span.s2044867DefaultParagraphFont-000002 { font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0; padding: 0; } p.s2044867Normal-000003 { text-indent: 0.25in; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 108%; margin-top: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-bottom: .001pt; } span.s2044867000004 { font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0; padding: 0; } span.s2044867SCL { font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; } span.s2044867SCL-000005 { font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0; padding: 0; } </style></head><body><div><p dir="ltr" class="s2044867Normal"><a href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/Codified_Laws/DisplayStatute.aspx?Type=Statute&amp;Statute=16-18-34.1"><span class="s2044867SENU">16-18-34.1</span></a><span xml:space="preserve" class="s2044867SENU">. </span><span class="s2044867CL">Minimum qualifications.</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2044867Normal-000000"><span class="s2044867DefaultParagraphFont">Any person employed by a licensed attorney as a legal assistant must meet the minimum qualifications of:</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2044867Normal-000001"><span class="s2044867DefaultParagraphFont">(1)    Successful completion of the Certified Legal Assistant (CLA) examination of the National Association of Legal Assistants, Inc.; or</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2044867Normal-000001"><span class="s2044867DefaultParagraphFont">(2)    Graduation from an ABA approved program of study for legal assistants; or</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2044867Normal-000001"><span class="s2044867DefaultParagraphFont">(3)    Graduation from a course of study for legal assistants which is institutionally accredited but not ABA approved, and which requires not less than the equivalent of sixty semester hours of classroom study; or</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2044867Normal-000001"><span class="s2044867DefaultParagraphFont">(4)    Graduation from a course of study for legal assistants, other than those set forth in (2) and (3) above, plus not less than six months of in</span><span class="s2044867DefaultParagraphFont-000002">-</span><span class="s2044867DefaultParagraphFont">house training as a legal assistant; or</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2044867Normal-000001"><span class="s2044867DefaultParagraphFont">(5)    A baccalaureate degree in any field, plus not less than six months in</span><span class="s2044867DefaultParagraphFont-000002">-</span><span class="s2044867DefaultParagraphFont">house training as a legal assistant; or</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2044867Normal-000001"><span class="s2044867DefaultParagraphFont">(6)    A minimum of three years of law</span><span class="s2044867DefaultParagraphFont-000002">-</span><span class="s2044867DefaultParagraphFont">related experience under the supervision of a licensed attorney, including at least six months of in</span><span class="s2044867DefaultParagraphFont-000002">-</span><span class="s2044867DefaultParagraphFont">house training as a legal assistant; or</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2044867Normal-000001"><span class="s2044867DefaultParagraphFont">(7)    Two years of in</span><span class="s2044867DefaultParagraphFont-000002">-</span><span class="s2044867DefaultParagraphFont">house training as a legal assistant.</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2044867Normal-000003"><span class="s2044867DefaultParagraphFont">Provided, further, that any legal assistant hereunder shall have a high school diploma or general equivalency diploma (GED).</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2044867Normal-000003"><span class="s2044867DefaultParagraphFont">For purposes of these standards, "in</span><span class="s2044867DefaultParagraphFont-000002">-</span><span class="s2044867DefaultParagraphFont">house training as a legal assistant" means legal education of the employee by a licensed attorney concerning legal assistant duties and these guidelines. In addition to review and analysis of assignments, the legal assistant should receive a reasonable amount of instruction directly related to the duties and obligations of the legal assistant and the Rules of Professional Conduct as stated in this chapter.</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2044867Normal"><span xml:space="preserve" class="s2044867000004"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2044867Normal"><span class="s2044867SCL">Source:</span><span xml:space="preserve" class="s2044867SCL-000005"> Supreme Court Rule 97-25.</span></p></div></body></html><br /><hr><br /><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta charset="UTF-8" /><meta http-equiv='content-language' content='en-us'/><title>SDLRC - Codified Law 16-18-34 - Definition of legal assistant. </title><meta name="Generator" content="PowerTools for Open XML" /><style>span { white-space: pre-wrap; } p.s2044868Normal { text-align: justify; font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 108%; margin-top: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-bottom: .001pt; } span.s2044868SENU { font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; } span.s2044868CL { font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; } p.s2044868Normal-000000 { text-indent: 0.50in; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 108%; margin-top: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-bottom: .001pt; } span.s2044868DefaultParagraphFont { font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0; padding: 0; } p.s2044868Normal-000001 { margin-left: 0.70in; text-indent: -0.45in; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 108%; margin-top: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-bottom: .001pt; } p.s2044868Normal-000002 { margin-left: 1.14in; text-indent: -0.44in; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 108%; margin-top: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-bottom: .001pt; } span.s2044868DefaultParagraphFont-000003 { font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0; padding: 0; } p.s2044868Normal-000004 { text-indent: 0.25in; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 108%; margin-top: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-bottom: .001pt; } span.s2044868000005 { font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0; padding: 0; } span.s2044868SCL { font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; } span.s2044868SCL-000006 { font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0; padding: 0; } </style></head><body><div><p dir="ltr" class="s2044868Normal"><a href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/Codified_Laws/DisplayStatute.aspx?Type=Statute&amp;Statute=16-18-34.2"><span class="s2044868SENU">16-18-34.2</span></a><span xml:space="preserve" class="s2044868SENU">. </span><span class="s2044868CL">Utilization of legal assistants.</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2044868Normal-000000"><span class="s2044868DefaultParagraphFont">Utilization of legal assistants by licensed attorneys is subject to the following rules:</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2044868Normal-000001"><span class="s2044868DefaultParagraphFont">(1)    An attorney may permit a legal assistant to assist in all aspects of the attorney's representation of a client, provided that:</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2044868Normal-000002"><span class="s2044868DefaultParagraphFont">(a)    The status of the legal assistant is disclosed at the outset of any professional relationship with a client, other attorneys, courts or administrative agencies, or members of the general public;</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2044868Normal-000002"><span class="s2044868DefaultParagraphFont">(b)    The attorney establishes the attorney</span><span class="s2044868DefaultParagraphFont-000003">-</span><span class="s2044868DefaultParagraphFont">client relationship, is available to the client, and maintains control of all client matters;</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2044868Normal-000002"><span class="s2044868DefaultParagraphFont">(c)    The attorney reviews the legal assistant's work product and supervises performance of the duties assigned;</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2044868Normal-000002"><span class="s2044868DefaultParagraphFont">(d)    The attorney remains responsible for the services performed by the legal assistant to the same extent as though such services had been furnished entirely by the attorney and such actions were those of the attorney;</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2044868Normal-000002"><span class="s2044868DefaultParagraphFont">(e)    The services performed by the legal assistant supplement, merge with and become part of the attorney's work product;</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2044868Normal-000002"><span class="s2044868DefaultParagraphFont">(f)    The services performed by the legal assistant do not require the exercise of unsupervised legal judgment; this provision does not prohibit a legal assistant appearing and representing a client at an administrative hearing provided that the agency or board having jurisdiction does not have a rule forbidding persons other than licensed attorneys to do so and providing that the other rules pertaining to the utilization of legal assistants are met; and</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2044868Normal-000002"><span class="s2044868DefaultParagraphFont">(g)    The attorney instructs the legal assistant concerning standards of client confidentiality.</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2044868Normal-000004"><span class="s2044868DefaultParagraphFont">A legal assistant may not establish the attorney</span><span class="s2044868DefaultParagraphFont-000003">-</span><span class="s2044868DefaultParagraphFont">client relationship, set legal fees, give legal advice or represent a client in court; nor encourage, engage in, or contribute to any act which would constitute the unauthorized practice of law.</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2044868Normal-000001"><span class="s2044868DefaultParagraphFont">(2)    A legal assistant may author and sign correspondence on the attorney's letterhead, provided the legal assistant's status is indicated and the correspondence does not contain legal opinions or give legal advice.</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2044868Normal-000001"><span class="s2044868DefaultParagraphFont">(3)    An attorney may identify a legal assistant by name and title on the attorney's letterhead and on business cards identifying the attorney's firm.</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2044868Normal"><span xml:space="preserve" class="s2044868000005"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2044868Normal"><span class="s2044868SCL">Source:</span><span xml:space="preserve" class="s2044868SCL-000006"> Supreme Court Rule 97-25.</span></p></div></body></html><br /><hr><br /><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta charset="UTF-8" /><meta http-equiv='content-language' content='en-us'/><title>SDLRC - Codified Law 16-18-34 - Definition of legal assistant. </title><meta name="Generator" content="PowerTools for Open XML" /><style>span { white-space: pre-wrap; } p.s2044869Normal { text-align: justify; font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 108%; margin-top: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-bottom: .001pt; } span.s2044869SENU { font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; } span.s2044869CL { font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; } p.s2044869Normal-000000 { text-indent: 0.50in; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 108%; margin-top: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-bottom: .001pt; } span.s2044869DefaultParagraphFont { font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0; padding: 0; } p.s2044869Normal-000001 { margin-left: 0.70in; text-indent: -0.45in; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 108%; margin-top: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-bottom: .001pt; } p.s2044869Normal-000002 { text-indent: 0.25in; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 108%; margin-top: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-bottom: .001pt; } span.s2044869000003 { font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0; padding: 0; } span.s2044869SCL { font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; } span.s2044869SCL-000004 { font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0; padding: 0; } </style></head><body><div><p dir="ltr" class="s2044869Normal"><a href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/Codified_Laws/DisplayStatute.aspx?Type=Statute&amp;Statute=16-18-34.3"><span class="s2044869SENU">16-18-34.3</span></a><span xml:space="preserve" class="s2044869SENU">. </span><span class="s2044869CL">Ethical considerations.</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2044869Normal-000000"><span xml:space="preserve" class="s2044869DefaultParagraphFont">The proper use of assistants who are not licensed attorneys significantly increases the ability of attorneys to provide quality professional services to the public at reasonable cost. An attorney cannot, however, delegate his or her ethical proscriptions by claiming that the violation was that of an employee. Thus, in order to secure compliance with the Rules of Professional Conduct more specifically as stated in chapter </span><a href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/Codified_Laws/DisplayStatute.aspx?Type=Statute&amp;Statute=16-18"><span class="s2044869DefaultParagraphFont">16-18</span></a><span class="s2044869DefaultParagraphFont">, the following ethical guidelines are applicable to the attorney's use of nonlicensed assistants:</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2044869Normal-000001"><span class="s2044869DefaultParagraphFont">(1)    An attorney shall ascertain the assistant's abilities, limitations, and training, and must limit the assistant's duties and responsibilities to those that can be competently performed in view of those abilities, limitations, and training.</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2044869Normal-000001"><span class="s2044869DefaultParagraphFont">(2)    An attorney shall educate and train assistants with respect to the ethical standards which apply to the attorney.</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2044869Normal-000001"><span class="s2044869DefaultParagraphFont">(3)    An attorney is responsible for monitoring and supervising the work of assistants in order to assure that the services rendered by the assistant are performed competently and in a professional manner.</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2044869Normal-000001"><span class="s2044869DefaultParagraphFont">(4)    An attorney is responsible for assuring that the assistant does not engage in the unauthorized practice of law.</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2044869Normal-000001"><span class="s2044869DefaultParagraphFont">(5)    An attorney is responsible for the improper behavior or activities of assistants and must take appropriate action to prevent recurrence of improper behavior or activities.</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2044869Normal-000001"><span class="s2044869DefaultParagraphFont">(6)    Assistants who deal directly with an attorney's clients must be identified to those clients as nonlawyers, and the attorney is responsible for obtaining the understanding of the clients with respect to the rule of and the limitations which apply to those assistants.</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2044869Normal-000001"><span xml:space="preserve" class="s2044869DefaultParagraphFont">(7)    A legal assistant should understand the Rules of Professional Conduct and these rules in order to avoid any action which would involve the attorney in a violation of chapter </span><a href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/Codified_Laws/DisplayStatute.aspx?Type=Statute&amp;Statute=16-18"><span class="s2044869DefaultParagraphFont">16-18</span></a><span class="s2044869DefaultParagraphFont">, or give the appearance of professional impropriety.</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2044869Normal-000001"><span class="s2044869DefaultParagraphFont">(8)    An attorney takes reasonable measures to insure that all client confidences are preserved by a legal assistant.</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2044869Normal-000001"><span class="s2044869DefaultParagraphFont">(9)    An attorney takes reasonable measures to prevent conflicts of interest resulting from a legal assistant's other employment or interest insofar as such other employment or interest would present a conflict of interest if it were that of the attorney.</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2044869Normal-000001"><span class="s2044869DefaultParagraphFont">(10)    An attorney may include a charge for the work performed by a legal assistant in setting a charge for legal services.</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2044869Normal-000001"><span class="s2044869DefaultParagraphFont">(11)    An attorney may not split legal fees with a legal assistant nor pay a legal assistant for the referral of legal business. An attorney may compensate a legal assistant based on the quantity and quality of the legal assistant's work and the value of that work to a law practice, but the legal assistant's compensation may not be, by advance agreement, contingent upon the profitability of the attorney's practice.</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2044869Normal-000002"><span xml:space="preserve" class="s2044869DefaultParagraphFont">The violation of the ethical guidelines of this section by a paralegal or the supervising attorney shall be grounds for discipline of the supervising attorney under chapter </span><a href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/Codified_Laws/DisplayStatute.aspx?Type=Statute&amp;Statute=16-19"><span class="s2044869DefaultParagraphFont">16-19</span></a><span class="s2044869DefaultParagraphFont">.</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2044869Normal"><span xml:space="preserve" class="s2044869000003"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2044869Normal"><span class="s2044869SCL">Source:</span><span xml:space="preserve" class="s2044869SCL-000004"> Supreme Court Rule 97-25.</span></p></div></body></html><br /><hr><br /><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta charset="UTF-8" /><meta http-equiv='content-language' content='en-us'/><title>SDLRC - Codified Law 16-18-34 - Definition of legal assistant. </title><meta name="Generator" content="PowerTools for Open XML" /><style>span { white-space: pre-wrap; } p.s2044870Normal { text-align: justify; font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 108%; margin-top: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-bottom: .001pt; } span.s2044870SENU { font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; } span.s2044870CL { font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; } p.s2044870Normal-000000 { text-indent: 0.50in; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 108%; margin-top: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-bottom: .001pt; } span.s2044870DefaultParagraphFont { font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0; padding: 0; } p.s2044870Normal-000001 { margin-left: 0.70in; text-indent: -0.45in; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 108%; margin-top: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-bottom: .001pt; } span.s2044870000002 { font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0; padding: 0; } span.s2044870SCL { font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; } span.s2044870SCL-000003 { font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0; padding: 0; } </style></head><body><div><p dir="ltr" class="s2044870Normal"><a href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/Codified_Laws/DisplayStatute.aspx?Type=Statute&amp;Statute=16-18-34.4"><span class="s2044870SENU">16-18-34.4</span></a><span xml:space="preserve" class="s2044870SENU">. </span><span class="s2044870CL">Certain individuals disqualified.</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2044870Normal-000000"><span class="s2044870DefaultParagraphFont">The following persons shall not serve as a legal assistant in the State of South Dakota except upon application to and approval of the Supreme Court:</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2044870Normal-000001"><span class="s2044870DefaultParagraphFont">(1)    Any person convicted of a felony;</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2044870Normal-000001"><span class="s2044870DefaultParagraphFont">(2)    Any person disbarred or suspended from the practice of law in any jurisdiction;</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2044870Normal-000001"><span xml:space="preserve" class="s2044870DefaultParagraphFont">(3)    Any person placed on medical inactive status under § </span><a href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/Codified_Laws/DisplayStatute.aspx?Type=Statute&amp;Statute=16-19-48"><span class="s2044870DefaultParagraphFont">16-19-48</span></a><span xml:space="preserve" class="s2044870DefaultParagraphFont"> or </span><a href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/Codified_Laws/DisplayStatute.aspx?Type=Statute&amp;Statute=16-19-92"><span class="s2044870DefaultParagraphFont">16-19-92</span></a><span class="s2044870DefaultParagraphFont">;</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2044870Normal-000001"><span xml:space="preserve" class="s2044870DefaultParagraphFont">(4)    Any person placed on temporary suspension from the practice of law under § </span><a href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/Codified_Laws/DisplayStatute.aspx?Type=Statute&amp;Statute=16-19-35.1"><span class="s2044870DefaultParagraphFont">16-19-35.1</span></a><span class="s2044870DefaultParagraphFont">.</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2044870Normal"><span xml:space="preserve" class="s2044870000002"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2044870Normal"><span class="s2044870SCL">Source:</span><span xml:space="preserve" class="s2044870SCL-000003"> Supreme Court Rule 97-25; SL 2018, ch 302 (Supreme Court Rule 18-11), eff. July 1, 2018.</span></p></div></body></html><br /><hr><br /><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta charset="UTF-8" /><meta http-equiv='content-language' content='en-us'/><title>SDLRC - Codified Law 16-18-34 - Definition of legal assistant. </title><meta name="Generator" content="PowerTools for Open XML" /><style>span { white-space: pre-wrap; } p.s2044871Normal { margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 108%; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; } span.s2044871SENU { font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; } span.s2044871CL { font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; } p.s2044871Normal-000000 { margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0; text-indent: 0.50in; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 108%; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; } span.s2044871DefaultParagraphFont { font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0; padding: 0; } p.s2044871Normal-000001 { margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0; text-indent: 0.25in; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 108%; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; } span.s2044871000002 { font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0; padding: 0; } span.s2044871SCL { font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; } span.s2044871SCL-000003 { font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0; padding: 0; } </style></head><body><div><p dir="ltr" class="s2044871Normal"><a href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/Codified_Laws/DisplayStatute.aspx?Type=Statute&amp;Statute=16-18-34.5"><span class="s2044871SENU">16-18-34.5</span></a><span xml:space="preserve" class="s2044871SENU">. </span><span class="s2044871CL">Application by disqualified persons--Requirements--Hearing--Burden of proof.</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2044871Normal-000000"><span xml:space="preserve" class="s2044871DefaultParagraphFont">The application by a person disqualified under § </span><a href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/Codified_Laws/DisplayStatute.aspx?Type=Statute&amp;Statute=16-18-34.4"><span class="s2044871DefaultParagraphFont">16-18-34.4</span></a><span xml:space="preserve" class="s2044871DefaultParagraphFont"> must establish the applicant's good moral character, competency, education, training, or experience in the legal system, substantive and procedural law, and the Rules of Professional Conduct, and the ability to comply with the ethical considerations of § </span><a href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/Codified_Laws/DisplayStatute.aspx?Type=Statute&amp;Statute=16-18-34.3"><span class="s2044871DefaultParagraphFont">16-18-34.3</span></a><span class="s2044871DefaultParagraphFont">.</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2044871Normal-000001"><span class="s2044871DefaultParagraphFont">The applicant shall have the burden of demonstrating by clear and convincing evidence that the applicant has the moral and ethical qualifications, competency and learning in law required to act as a legal assistant in this state and that acting as a legal assistant within the state will not be detrimental to the integrity and standing of the bar or the administration of justice, or subversive of the public interest.</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2044871Normal-000001"><span xml:space="preserve" class="s2044871DefaultParagraphFont">The Supreme Court may act upon the application or, where no recommendations have been made under § </span><a href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/Codified_Laws/DisplayStatute.aspx?Type=Statute&amp;Statute=16-18-34.7"><span class="s2044871DefaultParagraphFont">16-18-34.7</span></a><span xml:space="preserve" class="s2044871DefaultParagraphFont">, refer the application to the Disciplinary Board if the applicant was an attorney or to a circuit judge for testimony, findings, and recommendations. The cost of such hearing will be paid as provided by § </span><a href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/Codified_Laws/DisplayStatute.aspx?Type=Statute&amp;Statute=16-19-70.1"><span class="s2044871DefaultParagraphFont">16-19-70.1</span></a><span class="s2044871DefaultParagraphFont">.</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2044871Normal-000001"><span class="s2044871DefaultParagraphFont">The Supreme Court may deny the application if it finds approval would be detrimental to the integrity and standing of the bar or the administration of justice or subversive of the public interest. If the applicant has met the burden of proof, the Supreme Court may grant the application and impose such restrictions or conditions upon the employment and supervision of legal assistants as the court deems appropriate for the protection of the public.</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2044871Normal"><span xml:space="preserve" class="s2044871000002"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2044871Normal"><span class="s2044871SCL">Source:</span><span xml:space="preserve" class="s2044871SCL-000003"> Supreme Court Rule 97-25.</span></p></div></body></html><br /><hr><br /><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta charset="UTF-8" /><meta http-equiv='content-language' content='en-us'/><title>SDLRC - Codified Law 16-18-34 - Definition of legal assistant. </title><meta name="Generator" content="PowerTools for Open XML" /><style>span { white-space: pre-wrap; } p.s2044872Normal { margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 108%; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; } span.s2044872SENU { font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; } span.s2044872CL { font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; } p.s2044872Normal-000000 { margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0; text-indent: 0.50in; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 108%; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; } span.s2044872DefaultParagraphFont { font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0; padding: 0; } span.s2044872000001 { font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0; padding: 0; } span.s2044872SCL { font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; } span.s2044872SCL-000002 { font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0; padding: 0; } </style></head><body><div><p dir="ltr" class="s2044872Normal"><a href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/Codified_Laws/DisplayStatute.aspx?Type=Statute&amp;Statute=16-18-34.6"><span class="s2044872SENU">16-18-34.6</span></a><span xml:space="preserve" class="s2044872SENU">. </span><span class="s2044872CL">Revocation of order for disqualified persons--Hearing--Burden of proof.</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2044872Normal-000000"><span xml:space="preserve" class="s2044872DefaultParagraphFont">The order granting approval for a disqualified person to act as a legal assistant may be revoked by the Supreme Court upon violation of the conditions set by the court, violation of the requirements of §§ </span><a href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/Codified_Laws/DisplayStatute.aspx?Type=Statute&amp;Statute=16-18-34"><span class="s2044872DefaultParagraphFont">16-18-34</span></a><span xml:space="preserve" class="s2044872DefaultParagraphFont"> to </span><a href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/Codified_Laws/DisplayStatute.aspx?Type=Statute&amp;Statute=16-18-34.5"><span class="s2044872DefaultParagraphFont">16-18-34.5</span></a><span xml:space="preserve" class="s2044872DefaultParagraphFont">, inclusive, or the termination of employment with the supervising attorney without an approved replacement supervising attorney. The Supreme Court may act to revoke the order upon its own motion, or upon a complaint, may refer the complaint to the Disciplinary Board or a circuit judge for testimony, findings, and recommendations. The cost of such hearing will be paid as provided by § </span><a href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/Codified_Laws/DisplayStatute.aspx?Type=Statute&amp;Statute=16-19-70.1"><span class="s2044872DefaultParagraphFont">16-19-70.1</span></a><span class="s2044872DefaultParagraphFont">.</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2044872Normal"><span xml:space="preserve" class="s2044872000001"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2044872Normal"><span class="s2044872SCL">Source:</span><span xml:space="preserve" class="s2044872SCL-000002"> Supreme Court Rule 97-25.</span></p></div></body></html><br /><hr><br /><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta charset="UTF-8" /><meta http-equiv='content-language' content='en-us'/><title>SDLRC - Codified Law 16-18-34 - Definition of legal assistant. </title><meta name="Generator" content="PowerTools for Open XML" /><style>span { white-space: pre-wrap; } p.s2083947Normal { text-indent: 0.50in; text-align: justify; font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 108%; margin-top: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; margin-bottom: .001pt; } span.s2083947SENU { font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; } span.s2083947CL { font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; } p.s2083947Normal-000000 { margin-bottom: 7.5pt; text-indent: 0.50in; text-align: left; background: #FFFFFF; font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 108%; margin-top: 0; margin-left: 0; margin-right: 0; } span.s2083947DefaultParagraphFont { color: #333333; font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0; padding: 0; } span.s2083947000001 { font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0; padding: 0; } span.s2083947DefaultParagraphFont-000002 { font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; } span.s2083947SCL { font-family: 'Times New Roman', 'serif'; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; margin: 0; padding: 0; } body { text-decoration-skip-ink: none; } </style></head><body><div><p dir="ltr" class="s2083947Normal"><a href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/Codified_Laws/DisplayStatute.aspx?Type=Statute&amp;Statute=16-18-34.7"><span class="s2083947SENU">16-18-34.7</span></a><span xml:space="preserve" class="s2083947SENU">. </span><span xml:space="preserve" class="s2083947CL">Recommendations in attorney disciplinary proceedings. </span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2083947Normal-000000"><span xml:space="preserve" class="s2083947DefaultParagraphFont">Any recommendation for disbarment or suspension made by the Disciplinary Board or the referee under § </span><a href="https://sdlegislature.gov/Statutes/Codified_Laws/DisplayStatute.aspx?Type=Statute&amp;Statute=16-19-67"><span class="s2083947DefaultParagraphFont">16-19-67</span></a><span xml:space="preserve" class="s2083947DefaultParagraphFont"> shall contain a recommendation as to the restrictions or conditions of employment and supervision of the accused attorney as a legal assistant.</span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2083947Normal"><span xml:space="preserve" class="s2083947000001"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" class="s2083947Normal"><span xml:space="preserve" class="s2083947DefaultParagraphFont-000002">Source: </span><span class="s2083947SCL">Supreme Court Rule 97-25; SL 2021, ch 258 (Supreme Court Rule 21-06), eff. Feb. 23, 2021.</span></p></div></body></html>