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 16-18, 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.
S.D. Codified Laws § 16-18-34
Definition of legal assistant
Applied in 2 court decisions — leading case In Re French (1992)
Most recently applied in United States Trustee v. Grenoble Apartments, II (In Re Grenoble Apartments, II) (February 1993)
Source: SL 1992, ch 370 (Supreme Court Rule 92-5); Supreme Court Rule 97-25.
Official source: South Dakota Legislature. Reproduced from public-domain South Dakota statutes; confirm against the official source for the current text. Not legal advice.