South Dakota

Local Bar Associations

Sicangu Oyate Bar Association

The Sicangu Oyate Bar Association (SOBA) is the mandatory bar association for the attorneys practicing in the Rosebud Sioux Tribal Courts. Much like other mandatory bar associations, SOBA is charged with both regulating and supporting the lawyers that are licensed to practice within the Rosebud Sioux judicial system. In order to become an active member, lawyers must pass a bar exam administered by the Sicangu Oyate Bar Association. There are several ways in which SOBA provides professional assistance to its members. For example, attorneys belonging to the Sicangu Oyate Bar Association can read about the latest appellate court decisions in SOBA’s Appellate Digest. Also, the Sicangu Oyate Bar Association allows members to advertise their legal services for free in its online Attorney Roster.

South Dakota Indian Country Bar Association

The South Dakota Indian Country Bar Association (SDICBA) exists to support the attorneys of South Dakota working in the area of Indian law. The main goals of SDICBA are to encourage collegiality among its members and to educate the general public about Indian law and tribal courts. All attorneys practicing Indian and tribal law are permitted to join the South Dakota Indian Country Bar Association, regardless of whether they are actually a member of a Native American tribe. Lawyers often become members of SDICBA for the numerous forms of aid that it provides. The South Dakota Indian Country Bar Association helps its members secure new employment by regularly listing job openings on its website. In order to keep its members informed of the latest news related to tribal law, SDICBA frequently hosts lunchtime meetings featuring informational speakers.