South Dakota joined the nation on Nov. 2, 1889, the same day as North Dakota. Because President Benjamin Harrison kept the order in which he signed the statehood proclamations secret, we can’t know for sure if South Dakota is really the 40th state. It is ranked so due to its alphabetical position behind North Dakota.
South Dakota’s population swelled a few years before statehood, in 1874, when miners and fortune seekers rushed in after the discovery of gold in the Black Hills. Nonetheless, the state’s population remains small today, and its largest industries are agriculture and tourism. In 2009, 812,383 people lived in the state. Its largest city, Sioux Falls, has about 142,400 residents, while the capital of Pierre has less than 14,000 inhabitants.
South Dakota Legal Resources
If you need legal information in South Dakota, the following resources will guide you in the right direction:
- State Bar of South Dakota: The Bar provides South Dakota lawyers with a variety of resources, including access to Fastcase, a legal research tool, and educational materials and publications. For the public, it provides a variety of informational pamphlets, helpful legal links, a lawyer referral service and public education resources.
- Unified Judicial System: The UJS website provides general court information, legal forms, court calendars and court rules among other resources. It also provides court opinions and information on the bar exam for lawyers.
Resources for Legal Marketers in South Dakota
Legal marketers and administrators face unique challenges in creating efficiency and promoting a positive image of their firms. The following resources provide support and best practices to help them achieve their goals:
- Legal Marketing Association: The LMA exists to serve the needs of the marketing professional serving the legal community. South Dakota does not have a local chapter, but the International LMA offers national and regional education opportunities, publications and other resources.
- Association of Legal Administrators: The ALA started in 1971 to support management professionals serving the legal profession. Membership benefits include an Annual Conference and several Regional Conferences, as well as webinars, publications and networking opportunities. Although South Dakota does not have its own chapter, the National Association provides all the above benefits and more.
- Legal Marketing Jobs: Find legal marketing jobs in South Dakota.
