University of South Dakota School of Law

University of South Dakota
Knudson School of Law
Coat of Arms of the School of Law
MottoVeritas
Parent schoolUniversity of South Dakota
Established1901; 123 years ago (1901)
School typePublic law school
Parent endowment$401.5 million[1]
DeanNeil Fulton[2][3]
LocationVermillion, South Dakota, U.S.
42°47′11″N 96°55′39″W / 42.78639°N 96.92750°W / 42.78639; -96.92750
Enrollment168 J.D. candidates[4]
Faculty20
USNWR ranking127th (tie) (2024)[5]
Bar pass rate82.8%
Websitewww.usd.edu/law
ABA profileUniversity of South Dakota School of Law Profile
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The University of South Dakota School of Law also known as University of South Dakota Knudson School of Law or USD Law in Vermillion, South Dakota, United States, is a professional school of the University of South Dakota and the only law school in the state of South Dakota. Established in 1901, by U.S. Ambassador Bartlett Tripp and U.S. Senator Thomas Sterling. The law school is home to approximately 168 students and has more than 3,000 alumni. With 168 J.D. candidates, it is currently the second-smallest law school and smallest public law school student population among the American Bar Association accredited law schools.[4]

The University of South Dakota School of Law has produced 8 Governors of South Dakota including as well as other key figures important to the development of the state, many judges of the South Dakota Supreme Court and the U.S. District Court for the District of South Dakota, 13 members of the U.S. Congress, 19 Attorneys General of South Dakota, and 14 U.S. Attorneys for the District of South Dakota, earning it the nickname "the Alma Mater of the State."

  1. ^ As of June 30, 2016. "Financial Report FY 16" (PDF).
  2. ^ Kerzman, Lexi. "Neil Fulton named new Dean of USD Law School". volanteonline.com. The Volante (USD school paper).
  3. ^ Conlon, Shelly. "USD names former Gov. Rounds' chief of staff as new law school dean". argusleader.com. The Sioux Falls Argus Leader.
  4. ^ a b "J.D. Enrollment By School" (PDF). American Bar Association. Retrieved January 13, 2014.
  5. ^ "University of South Dakota (Knudson)". U.S. News & World Report – Best Law Schools. Retrieved April 8, 2024.
  6. ^ "A Brief Sketch" (PDF). University of South Dakota School of Law. Retrieved August 2, 2011.