Legal Services

Jim and his wife, Valerie, opened a law office in Hot Springs to be close to family and friends, and to raise their three children. Jim and Val were raised with small town, Midwestern values and they wanted the same for their children.

Jim graduated from law school in 1996. From there, Jim practiced in a small town for a couple of years and then moved to the largest law firm in South Dakota. Jim’s career path changed after 9/11.

In March 2003, Jim quit the practice of law and enlisted in the United States Army. Within months of quitting the practice of law, Jim graduated basic training (artillery) and was assigned to the 1st Armored Division he was deployed to Baghdad where he patrolled the streets with 4/27 FA. After a tour of duty in Iraq, the United States Army transferred Jim to the Judge Advocate Corps (JAG). As a JAG officer, Jim was assigned as the lead military prosecutor for the Space and Missile Command and was appointed as a Special United States Attorney for the Northern District of Alabama.

Since returning home, Jim has picked up the practice of law right where he left off. In addition to working at Sword Law Office, Jim was elected to three consecutive terms as the Fall River/Oglala Lakota County State’s Attorney.

Jim has handled more than 60 criminal trials and more than 1,000 evidentiary hearings. He has represented individuals, businesses and government entities in state, federal and tribal courts and before regulatory agencies. He has handled appeals in state, federal and tribal courts. Each case is important. Jim takes a limited number of cases. This assures that “Sword Law Office” has the time and resources to in vest in each client.

Bar Admissions

 South Dakota Supreme Court and circuit courts

Federal District Court, SD

8th Circuit Federal Court of Appeals

Oglala Sioux Tribal Court

Significant Cases

 Fall River County v. SD Department of Revenue, 1999 SD 139

United States of America ex rel. Bernard v. Casino Magic, No. 01-2024 (8th Cir. 2002)

Okerson v. Common Council of Hot Springs, 2009 S.D. 30

High Plains Resources, LLC v. Fall River County Board of Commissioners, 2015 SD 94In the Matter of C.S.N and T.R.S and concerning Ducheneaux and Taylor, 14FC391/14C117,

Cheyenne River Sioux Tribal Supreme Court

Community Service

 West River Legal Services, Board of Directors – 2002 to 2003

Black Hills Legal Services, Board of Directors – 1997 to 2002

Fall River County Crisis Team – Recognition Award for Work Against Domestic Violence – 2001.

Women Escaping A Violent Environment (WEAVE) – Man of the Year, 2011

Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) – lifetime member

American Legion – Member, Don’t Tread On Me Award 2014.

Boys and Girls Club Founding Member of Board of Directors (Hot Springs), 2008 to 2010

Alcohol Recover Centers of the Black Hills, Board Member, 2013 to 2018

Now open in Deadwood!

How do you know that I will fight for you … As an Army Veteran, I already have!