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DPLS BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
DPLS is governed by a 31
member Board of Directors comprised of 22
attorneys and 9 client representatives.
Attorney board members are appointed by various
bar associations and organizations in South
Dakota. Some client representative board
members are elected by residents of their
service area while others are appointed by
programs or organizations doing business in the
Black Hills area of South Dakota. This
combination of elected and appointed members
allows for a diverse board with a wide range of
knowledge, skills, and abilities. In addition
to setting overall program policy, the DPLS
Board of Directors sets priorities and
determines the types of cases that will be
handled by the program, subject to restrictions
set by Congress.
DPLS ADMINISTRATION:
Ronald D. Hutchinson,
DPLS Executive Director, was born and raised in
western South Dakota. He has practiced law for
more than 20 years, originally in Colorado then
back “home” in South Dakota since 1988.
Educated at South Dakota State University (‘79
B.S. in Commercial Economics) and the University
of Colorado Law School (‘83 J.D.), Ron has
diverse legal experience in both the private and
public interest sectors. Ron’s commitment to
DPLS can be traced back to 1980, when he served
as DPLS’ summer intern. In 1988, upon returning
home to South Dakota, Ron was hired as a DPLS
staff attorney. Prior to becoming executive
director in 1999, he also served DPLS as a
managing attorney and litigation director.
Cheryl B. Hanna,
Co-Director
of DPLS, is an enrolled member of the Rosebud
Sioux Tribe, and has been with the program since
1990. Cheryl, a Nebraska native, grew up in
New Mexico near the Navajo reservation. She
moved to Mission, South Dakota, in 1974, and has
resided on the Rosebud Sioux Reservation since
that time. The skills and experience that
Cheryl brings to DPLS come from extensive work
in both the public and private sector. Her
concern, dedication and determination to help
our clients to the fullest extent possible are
great assets to DPLS. Prior to coming to DPLS,
Cheryl worked in private law and accounting
firms, as well as federal and tribal programs.
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