Knudson School of Law Students Gain Real-World Experience While Making a Difference in South Dakota
These clinics are part of the Knudson School of Law’s robust experiential learning program, which provides students with intensive professional development training before they embark on their careers.
Students take on real legal work, from drafting wills and parenting plans to navigating the nuances of Indian Law and the criminal defense system; they gain the skills they need to become the state’s next lawyer leaders.
They also learn the value of service. Many students choose to spend weekends and breaks volunteering in clinics, giving their time to people in South Dakota who need it the most.
“Our experiential learning programs are valuable and exciting,” said Knudson School of Law Dean Neil Fulton, J.D. “The opportunity to develop practical experience while in law school sets students up for success. It also helps employers who can put students in positions of responsibility immediately. Getting to do ‘real’ legal work while in law school is some of the most fun and rewarding work students get to do. I am so appreciative of everyone who works together to create these fantastic student experiences.”
The Veteran Legal Education Group, WORKS Clinic, Tribal Wills Clinic, R.D. Hurd Pro Bono Society and Criminal Defense Practicum are among the clinics in the Knudson School of Law that are making a difference. These programs highlight how USD’s law students are stepping up to serve others while honing the practical skills they will carry into their careers.
Veteran Legal Education Group
Through the Veteran Legal Education Group, Knudson School of Law students provide free legal advice to veterans, active and reserve duty service members, and their families. Collaborating with volunteer attorneys, the State Bar of South Dakota and various veterans’ groups to organize drop-in legal clinics throughout the state, the students help with trusts, will drafting and execution, real-estate advice, end-of- life documentation and more.
“Many veterans don’t realize that once they leave active duty, they lose access to JAG support, leaving them to navigate complex legal issues on their own,” said Travis Hindt, J.D. ’23, an adjunct professor and advisor to VLEG. “The Veterans Legal Clinic bridges that gap, providing critical legal assistance at no cost to those who have served.”
In addition to serving as an adjunct professor, Hindt is an associate lawyer at Taylor Law Firm in Sioux Falls; prior to his law career, he was a non-commissioned officer in the South Dakota Army National Guard from 2007-2021.
“As someone who participated in the clinic as a student and now leads it as a professor, I’ve seen firsthand the impact it has – not just on the veterans we assist, but on the students who gain invaluable real-world experience while giving back,” Hindt said. “I remind our students often that our first priority is ‘To serve those who have served.’ As a Veteran myself, it is both an honor and a privilege to serve those who have sacrificed so much for our great nation.”
Recognizing the impact and potential of the clinics, VLEG is now offered to students for course credit.
WORKS Practicum
Second- and third-year law students enrolled in the WORKS Practicum are trained and gain hands-on experience through the WORKS Clinic, which provides free family law services to qualifying individuals. Students help clients complete court forms, offer support in navigating the legal system, and participate in mediation to develop effective parenting plans.
Offered in collaboration between the Knudson School of Law, the South Dakota State Bar Foundation, the South Dakota Bar Association ADR Committee and the Unified Judicial System, students are introduced to both the practical and rewarding aspects of family law.
“South Dakota has a critical shortage of family law attorneys, and the WORKS Clinic helps fill that gap by equipping law students to provide meaningful assistance to people who cannot afford an attorney and are using the Unified Judicial System divorce and custody forms,” said Marilyn Trefz, J.D., visiting lecturer and WORKS director.
The program is offered each fall and spring, with a new summer session added this year. As part of their practicum, students work with clinic participants in person, by phone and over Zoom.
“It’s especially beneficial for students who want to go into family law, but it’s also great for students looking to develop their communication and client counseling skills,” said Hannah Allen, J.D. ’25. “And of course, it’s important to help the people in our South Dakota communities who need our help.”
Each year, the WORKS Clinic serves more than 150 participants across South Dakota.
Tribal Wills Clinic
Several Knudson School of Law students decide to spend their spring break offering free estate planning services on one of South Dakota’s nine tribal reservations.
Under the guidance of Thomas Simmons, J.D., professor of law, students meet with clients to understand clients’ objectives, draft legal documents and oversee the formal execution of estate plans.
Simmons noted that the clinic provides students with practical experience and teaches them the complexities of Indian law.
“The students not only learn about the various challenges associated with estate planning generally, but they also learn about the nuances and complexities of how to make testamentary gifts of Indian Trust Land under the federal American Indian Probate Reform Act,” Simmons said. “This particular skill set is shared by very few attorneys in practice, and it’s especially important for attorneys who are going to practice in South Dakota.”
The Tribal Wills Clinic has visited several reservations, including Rosebud Sioux, Yankton Sioux, Lower Brule and Flandreau Sioux.
“The Tribal Wills Clinic is one of several clinical experiences available at the Knudson School of Law, but it is really unique,” said Simmons. “Only the Denver School of Law has a comparable program, and they often travel outside of the state of Colorado to conduct their clinics. We are able to stay right here in the state given the fact that South Dakota has nine federally recognized Indian reservations."
“Participating in the Tribal Wills Clinic was not only a valuable hands-on learning experience, but also incredibly rewarding,” said Julianne Severson, a third-year law student at USD. “I learned so much about how to draft wills under the direction of Professors Tom Simmons and Cameo Anders. I enjoyed working directly with clients, listening to their unique goals and tailoring their wills to reflect their individual concerns. Seeing how grateful clients were for our help made the experience deeply fulfilling.”
Third-year law student Jacob Howard shared a similar sentiment, citing the Tribal Wills Clinic as one of the most rewarding experiences in law school thus far.
“Although the class taught us the technical skills necessary to draft estate planning documents, the most valuable lessons came from working with the clients themselves,” Howard said. “It is one of the few opportunities in law school where students get to draft legal documents that have a direct and meaningful impact on someone’s life.”
The Tribal Wills Clinic is carried out as part of a practicum course offered in both the fall and spring semesters at the law school. Students earn one credit hour for the course.
R.D. Hurd Pro Bono Society
The R.D. Hurd Pro Bono Society is a coordinated effort between the Knudson School of Law and East River Legal Services that gives law students meaningful opportunities to serve South Dakotans who cannot afford legal representation.
Through this partnership, students gain valuable experience by assisting with legal research, drafting pleadings, observing or participating in court proceedings, and engaging directly with clients under the supervision of licensed attorneys. All students, regardless of class year, are eligible to participate in Forms Clinics, which focus on critical areas such as family law and bankruptcy. These clinics offer foundational experience in client service and legal form preparation, while also meeting an urgent need in the state.
To further support student development, East River Legal Services offers a monthly one-hour training presentation at the law school on various areas of the law. These sessions help students build knowledge, understand community legal needs and prepare to contribute meaningfully to ongoing work at ERLS.
“R.D. Hurd students provide important support to low-income South Dakotans trying to navigate the court system on their own,” said Lea Wroblewski, J.D., executive director at ERLS. “These clinics are an important component of ERLS’ efforts to provide some level of service to every eligible client.”
Beyond clinics and trainings, opportunities are tailored to a student’s year in law school and build progressively – from observing and assisting with intake and outreach in the first year, to shadowing attorneys and working on more advanced drafting in the second year, to representing clients under a student practice certificate in the third year. This tiered approach ensures that students develop confidence and competence while contributing to access to justice in South Dakota.
Connor Drahota, a second-year law student, shared that this real-world experience is helpful for students as they choose their path in the legal profession.
“R.D. Hurd opens the door for students who are passionate about public service and helps foster that passion for students who are still undecided about their professional future,” said Drahota.
The greatest takeaway for Drahota was the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others.
“It gave me an opportunity to help people who are often in a very uncomfortable situation navigate through issues they can’t take on alone," said Drahota. "R.D. Hurd, with the help of East River Legal Services, offers a chance to make a change by helping an underserved community that needs free legal services.”
Criminal Defense Practicum
The Criminal Defense Practicum, offered in partnership with the Minnehaha County Public Defender’s Office, equips students with real-world legal experience and essential professional skills.
Working directly with public defenders, Knudson School of Law students gain firsthand insight into criminal defense practice and the justice system’s responsibility to provide equitable legal services.
Students develop practical skills such as trial advocacy, client interaction, legal research and case analysis. They cultivate ethical judgement, cultural competency and the ability to navigate complex legal frameworks – skills students need to become effective, compassionate lawyers.
Tia Vlasman participated in the Criminal Defense Practicum during her second year at the Knudson School of Law. Now a third-year law student, Vlasman explained that the real-world experience and mentorship afforded to her through the practicum helped shape her academic and professional trajectory.
“The practicum instilled in me a lasting sense of confidence,” Vlasman said. “I discovered that my classroom learning translated strongly into real legal skills. I learned to think and act like an advocate, navigating environments that, while outside the classroom, remained rich with mentorship and support. I was no longer just a student of the law; I was beginning to feel like a future member of the profession.”
For Vlasman, the practicum was about more than building a resume; it provided invaluable connections, perspectives and skills that will stay with her far beyond graduation.
“The Criminal Defense Practicum offered clarity about my goals, strengthened my belief in my abilities, and deepened my appreciation for the legal community in South Dakota,” Vlasman said. “Perhaps most importantly, it left me with profound gratitude for the attorneys who mentored me, for the individuals who trusted me to learn through service, and for the opportunity to begin building a career grounded in excellence, service and leadership.”
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