President - Dixie Bader, CP

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

First Vice President - Kayne Larimer, CP

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.  In May 2008, Kayne moved with Mr. Quinn to a new firm, Goodsell Quinn, LLP.  Kayne still 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. kayne@goodsellquinn.com

Second Vice President - Cindy Schmit, CP

Cindy graduated from Nettleton College and received her Certified Paralegal designation from NALA in January of 2003. She has been employed as a paralegal in Aberdeen and Sioux Falls working primarily with Attorneys Harvey Oliver, Richard Casey and John Peterson.  She is currently employed by John Peterson at Peterson Law Office in Sioux Falls. Cindy works in the areas of plaintiff’s litigation, family law and criminal defense.

Cindy has been a member of SDPA since 2000 and NALA since 2003.  She has held the offices of NALA Liaison and Treasurer of SDPA and has served on several committees.

Cindy’s husband, Michael, works for Knology in the communications industry. they have three children, Jamie (age 23), Jessica (age 20), and Kevin (age 16).  Cindy enjoys walking her dog, Lucky, riding bike, attending craft shows and decorating cakes.  cindyschmit@sio.midco.net

Secretary - Dixie Riter, CP

Dixie received her paralegal/legal assistant diploma from the Paralegal Institute and received her Certified Paralegal designation from NALA. She is a member of NALA and SDPA. Prior to joining Schoenbeck Law in October 1998, Dixie was the agency principal and manager of a bank insurance agency.  She assists in the area of civil litigation.

Dixie has joined attorney, Lee Schoenbeck, in lecturing before the South Dakota Trial Lawyer’s Association with respect to subrogation.  She has also lectured on the topic of trial preparation on behalf of the Institute for Paralegal Education.

Originally from Summit, Dixie is married with three grown children and lives in Waubay, South Dakota.  She enjoys spending time with her family and also likes to run out in the country, listening to music on her mpg3 player and watching the geese fly in the Waubay lake country. dixie@schoenbecklaw.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.

Lori 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; Chair of the Sioux Falls Area Literacy Council’s Public Relations Committee; 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, Nathan, and Olivia,  and a grandson, Christian 4 yrs. lori.urinko@northwestern.com

NALA Liaison - Tammy Ackerman, CP

Tammy graduated from Phillips Junior College, Spokane, Washington with an Associates Degree in Paralegal Studies. She received her Certified Paralegal designation from NALA in 2006 and is currently a student at Presentation College studying to complete her Bachelor of Science degree in business with a minor in Human Resource Management. Tammy works for Attorney Randall B. Turner in the areas of bankruptcy, family, person injury, disability and criminal law.

Tammy joined SDPA in June 0f 2005 and NALA in 2006 and is the South Dakota Paralegal Associate “Member of the Year - 2007”.  Tammy is currently serving on the SDPA Education Committee, and as NALA Liason.

Tammy is married to Wayne Ackerman and lives in Aberdeen.  She has two adult children and five grandchildren who live in Iowa and California. Tammy’s husband is a truck driver on the road, she fulfils her time with several church activities such as acting church treasurer, finance director, Sunday school teacher, and VBS volunteer.  Moreover, in the community Tammy enjoys meeting with the Aberdeen Chapter paralegals and working on community projects.  Currently she is on two task teams:  (1) develop community action plan for the homeless in Aberdeen, and (2) promote a halfway house (long term treatment program) to open in the Aberdeen area which will provide placement for people throughout South Dakota who need long term aftercare for their addiction.  tamm@pclan-sd.com

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