The SD Supreme Court handed down two decisions this morning:
1) Former AG’s law license suspended for 6 months;
2) Title to Mobile Home Lot acquired by Adverse Possession.
Summaries follows:
DISCIPLINE OF RAVNSBORG, 2024 S.D. 58: Disciplinary proceeding against the former Attorney General resulted in the Referee’s recommendation of public censure, “finding that Ravnsborg improperly used his title as attorney general to receive favorable treatment.” The SD Supreme Court ordered additional briefing and conducted de novo review, “[b]ecause the Referee was in no better position than this Court is to weigh and consider documentary evidence.” Following oral argument, the Court handed down this ruling which orders a 6 month suspension of the former AG’s law license. The concluding paragraph of the opinion provides:
[¶53.] After reviewing the facts and weighing the relevant mitigating and aggravating factors, the Court hereby suspends Ravnsborg’s license to practice law in South Dakota for a period of six months. While Ravnsborg is unlikely to continue practicing law in South Dakota, we conclude suspension is necessary to preserve theintegrity of the profession and deter like conduct by other attorneys. The six-month suspension shall commence on the date of entry of the order of suspension. Pursuant to SDCL 16-19-70.4, Ravnsborg shall also be responsible for reimbursing the State Bar of South Dakota for all costs and expenses related to these proceedings. These costs and expenses shall be reimbursed prior to his reinstatement to practice law in South Dakota.
This ruling is unanimous (5-0), with opinion authored by Chief Justice Jensen.
HOFFMAN v. HOLLOW HORN, 2024 S.D. 59: This case involves litigation over title to a mobile home lot in Eagle Butte. Administrator of the Estate of “Mother Theresa Hoffmann” filed this action claiming legal title. The trial court ruled in favor of subsequent possessors based upon two theories adverse possession. The SD Supreme Court affirmed, based upon on just one of the theories – the basis that title was acquired through adverse possession in the name of the grantor of a subsequent quit claim deed. This ruling is unanimous (5-0), with opinion by Chief Justice Jensen.
These decisions may be accessed at
http://ujs.sd.gov/Supreme_Court/opinions.aspx .
