As per the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, a Lawyer is an expert in law whose job is to advise the clients in legal matters and represent them in the court of law as and when needed. To become a lawyer in the state of South Dakota, earning a Juris Doctorate from a law school that is accredited by the American Bar Association is mandatory.
Should I Become a Lawyer in South Dakota?
The State Bar of South Dakota is monitored by the Supreme Court of South Dakota and it regulates the legal profession in the state. All lawyers in the state of South Dakota must take permission from the State Bar to sit for the State Bar Exam. They must clear the South Dakota State Bar exam to earn their license and practice law. Further details on this profession are listed below.
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Education Required
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Doctoral or professional degree (J.D.)
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Major Requirement
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Law
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License/Certification
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Take the South Dakota State Bar Exam to obtain a license
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Experience/Training
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Volunteer work or an internship is highly suggested
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Key Skills
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Communication, Research, Interpersonal, Analytical, Critical-thinking, Attention-to-detail, and Problem-solving Skills, etc.
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Annual Mean Salary (2019) -
South Dakota
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$112,810
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Annual Mean Salary (2019) -
National
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$145,300
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Job Outlook (2018-2028)
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6%
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2019)
Career Outlook
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Lawyers are expected to see a 6% rise in employment level between 2018 and 2028. In addition to that, BLS reported that 657,170 Lawyers were employed in the US in 2019, and 880 of them were from the state of South Dakota.
Steps to Become a Lawyer in South Dakota
If your objective is to become employed as a Lawyer in the state of South Dakota, you can follow this stepwise career guide to achieve that goal. So, let’s begin!
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Complete a Bachelor’s Degree
The first step towards becoming a lawyer is the completion of a 4-years bachelor’s degree. You can complete this degree in any subject however, taking some law-related courses would help you later with the advanced curriculum of the doctoral degree in law.
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Pass the LSAT Exam
The LSAT is short for Law School Admission Test and it must be cleared if you want to attend a law school. It is an incredibly competitive test and if you want to attend a law school with a good reputation, you must secure an excellent score in this test.
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Graduate from an ABA-accredited Juris Doctorate (J.D.)
Lawyers must acquire a Juris Doctorate (J.D.) from an ABA-accredited law school. A typical J.D. takes about 3 years to complete and the University of South Dakota offers a Juris Doctorate.
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Clear the South Dakota State Bar Exam to Get Licensed
All law school graduates must get permission from the State Bar of South Dakota to sit for the State Bar Exam. It is a series of 3 tests which must be cleared to become eligible for a law license.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Lawyer in South Dakota?
Becoming a lawyer is a 4-step process that takes about 7 to 8 years approximately. A bachelor’s degree takes about 4 years which is followed by a few months' preparations for the LSAT exam. Once that is cleared, candidates enroll in a 3-year Juris Doctorate at a law school followed by another few months spent for the State Bar Exam.
What Are the Requirements for Becoming a Lawyer in South Dakota?
To work as a Lawyer in the state of South Dakota, all future lawyers must:
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Be at least 18 years old
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Be residents of the State of South Dakota
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Hold an ABA-accredited Juris Doctorate
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Clear the South Dakota State Bar Exam
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Be of a good moral character
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Be physically and mentally sound
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Not be suspended, disbarred, or the subject of any pending disciplinary action in another state
How Much Can I Make as a Lawyer in South Dakota?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that Lawyers in the state of South Dakota had an annual mean salary of $112,810 in 2019.