Jillian M. Smith

Jillian M. Smith joined the Rapid City office as an Associate Attorney in December 2023.

Originally from Massachusetts, Smith earned both her BA ('12) in Anthropology and MAT ('15) in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from Bridgewater State University. Her background in education and interest in language revitalization led her to Pine Ridge, where she gained experience working in two schools that serve Lakota students and families.

Smith attended the University of South Dakota Knudson School of Law ('22, Edward W. Hope Award for highest GPA in graduating class). During law school, she was a staff writer for Volume 66 of the South Dakota Law Review and a copy editor for Volume 67. She was also active in the Native American Law Students Association, serving as secretary and participating twice in the National NALSA Moot Court Competition. She and her partner advanced to the Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight rounds in 2021 and 2022, respectively. In 2022, Smith also won Third Place in the Best Oral Advocate category.

After graduation, Smith clerked for the Honorable Steven R. Jensen, Chief Justice of the South Dakota Supreme Court, and then worked for the Court as a staff attorney.

Smith is happiest when hiking with her spouse (and Moot Court partner) and their two beautiful wakanyeja. To unwind, she enjoys reading, running, and visiting relatives in Wounded Knee and Massachusetts whenever she can.

Bar Admissions:

• South Dakota Bar Association
  
• U.S. District Court for the District of South Dakota
  

Community Involvement:

• John T. Vukurevich Foundation Emerging Leaders 2023 Cohort