President - Becky Purington, CP

Becky graduated with honors from Western Dakota Technical Institute in 1999 with an Associates Degree in Paralegal Studies. She has worked as a paralegal in the practice areas of personal injury and wrongful death and is currently employed at Gunderson, Palmer, Goodsell & Nelson, L.L.P., working primarily in the areas of governmental law, civil rights and employment law.

Becky achieved her certified paralegal status in 2000 and has been a member of NALA and SDPA since 2000. She has served on the Education, Public Relations and Charge-Up Committees. Currently, she is First Vice-President, Co- Chair of the Education Committee and a member of the Nominations and Executive Committees. Becky has also been on the Advisory Committee for Paralegal Studies at Western Dakota Technical Institute since 1999 and has served as the Chair of that Committee since 2005.

Becky has two teenagers and enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, boating, snorkeling, parasailing, camping and reading. bpurington@gpgnlaw.com

First Vice President - Dixie Bader, CLA

Dixie earned her Associates Degree in Paralegal Studies from Nettleton Community College in 1997 and obtained her Bachelors Degree in Paralegal Studies from National American University in 2002. Dixie became a Certified Legal Assistant in September 2004. Dixie has been a paralegal since 1998 and has worked in the areas of immigration, family law, personal injury, employment law and probate. In 2006 Dixie began working at Burd Law Office in Sioux Falls working with attorney Mary H. Burd, whose primary practice area is family law. Dixie has been a member of SDPA since 2002 and has served on the following committees: Charge up (2003-2007), Membership (co-chair 2003-2004), NALA Liaison (2005-2006), Membership (Chair 2005-2007), and Second Vice President (2006-2007). In addition, she has been a member of NALA since 2004.

When Dixie is not at work, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Mike, as well as her family of 11 siblings, and numerous nieces and nephews. She also enjoys gardening, fishing, pheasant hunting with her husband, karaoke and working with the Children’s Inn and the Banquet in Sioux Falls. dixieabader@yahoo.com

Second Vice President - Jackie Schad, ACP

Jackie graduated from the University of South Dakota in 1993 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice. She then went on to receive an Associate of Applied Science degree in Paralegal Studies from National College in 1995. She is currently pursuing a Master of Science Degree in Counseling and Human Resource Development from South Dakota State University and will graduate in May 2008.

Jackie has worked as a paralegal for nearly twelve years and is currently employed at Black Hills Corporation in Rapid City, focusing primarily in contract, business, and corporate law. Jackie has been a member of SDPA since 1995.  She received her Certified Legal Assistant designation in 1997 and her ACP (Advanced Ceritifed Paralegal) designation in May 2007.  Jackie has served as the chair of the Job Bank Committee for several terms and is currently serving on the Ethics Committee. In addition to her professional duties, Jackie is a member of Beta Sigma Phi international sorority and currently serves as President of the SDSU Graduate School Honor Society.

Jackie is married to Deputy State’s Attorney, Mike Schad, and they have two young boys, Jackson and Joey. jaschad@blackhillscorp.com

Secretary - Kayne Larimer, CLA

Kayne graduated from Bethel College in St. Paul, Minnesota, with a BA in Business and worked for Norwest Banks for 5 years before attending the Minnesota Paralegal Institute. From 1994 to 2001, he was employed by Steve Palmer in Sioux Falls. In 2001 Kayne was hired by Terry Quinn and worked one year at the Johnson Eiesland Firm in Rapid City before moving with Mr. Quinn to the Gunderson, Palmer, Goodsell & Nelson Firm. Kayne works in the area of plaintiff litigation.

Kayne has been a member of SDPA and NALA since 1994 and obtained his CLA designation in 1995. He has served on the Public Relations and Ethics Committees, and he currently serves as Secretary of SDPA.

Kayne’s wife, Emily, works as a registered nurse. They have three kids – Sarah (age 14), Caleb (age 13), and Nehemiah (age 10). In addition to enjoying the mayhem of family life, Kayne serves on the Rapid City Sport Council, is a Boy Scout leader, is a church council member, and is tournament director for the Black Hills Disc Golf Confederacy. klarimer@gpgnlaw.com

Treasurer - Lori Urinko

Lori graduated with an Associates Degree from Kilian Community College in 1986 from the Legal Assistant program. After working for 18 years as a case manager in a residential treatment facility for adolescents, Lori joined North Western Energy as a paralegal in 2001. Lori’s primary areas of focus are corporate governance, state and federal regulatory matters, securities reporting and administration of the litigation management system. She has been a member of NALA since 2002 and SDPA since 2005. Lori currently serves as chairperson of Family Services, Inc.; is a member of the Siouxland Child Protection Council serving on the Legislative Committee; the Sioux Falls Area Literacy Council’s Public Relations Committee; mentors at Hawthorne Elementary and served on the Board of Trustees of Kilian Community College from 2001 through 2006.

Lori is married to Charlie, and they have 3 children: Nathalie 24 yrs., Nathan 21 yrs., Olivia 16 yrs. and a grandson, Christian 4 yrs. lori.urinko@northwestern.com

NALA Liaison Jennifer Murphy, CP

Jennifer Murphy obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Government/International Affairs from Augustana College and an Associates Degree in Paralegal Studies from National American University. She has currently taken a position with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Sioux Falls. Jennifer has been a member of the South Dakota Paralegal Association since 2003 and served as Education Committee Co-Chair in 2005-2006. She is also a member of the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA).

Jennifer has a four year old daughter, Erin. Together, they enjoy anything that involves being outside – especially spending time at the lake. Jennifer also enjoys running, gardening, reading, and following politics.
jennifer.murphy@usdoj.gov

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