2023 Committees

Jessi Stucke, ACP, was born in Sioux Falls, SD, and was raised in Sheldon, IA, Sioux Falls, and Aberdeen.  After graduating from Aberdeen’s Central High School, she attended the University of Minnesota –Minneapolis and later received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Minneapolis College of Art & Design (MCAD).  She returned to Aberdeen in 2005 and was the 2011 recipient of the Dale Stein Award upon graduation from Leadership Aberdeen, a program of the Aberdeen Area Chamber of Commerce.

Jessi joined Richardson, Wyly, Wise, Sauck & Hieb in 2014 and works primarily with Jack Hieb. Jessi became a Certified Paralegal (CP) in 2016 and obtained her Advanced Certified Paralegal (ACP) credential in Trial Practice in 2021. She has been a member of the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) and the South Dakota Paralegal Association (SDPA) since 2016.  She had the privilege of serving as SDPA’s President for 2021-2022 and continues to serve as chair of the Newsletter Committee, a position she has held since 2017 as editor of SDPA’s quarterly publication, the Reporter. She also serves as Chair of the CLE Luncheon Committee, Co-Chair of the Membership Committee, and is a member of the Nominations & Elections Committee and the Website Committee.  She served previously on the Education Committee, and received SDPA’s Member of the Year Award in 2018.

Jessi and her husband, Chris, have two children.  Away from the office, she serves as Treasurer for the Aberdeen Curling Club, Treasurer for the Holgate Middle School PTA, and Vice President of the church council at Holy Cross Lutheran Church.  She enjoys trapshooting, curling, archery, and playing board games and Minecraft with her family.

Dixie earned her Associate's Degree in Paralegal Studies from Nettleton Community College in 1997, and obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Paralegal Studies in 2002 from National American University in Sioux Falls. She became a Certified Legal Assistant (CLA) through NALA in September, 2004. Dixie has worked as a paralegal since 1998 in the areas of immigration, family law, personal injury, employment law, and probate. In 2006, Dixie began working for Mary H. Burd, Burd and Carper Law Office, in Sioux Falls, in the area of family law.

She became a member of SDPA in 2002 and has served on the following committees: Charge Up (2003-2007); Education (Co-Chair 2015-2016); and Membership (Co-Chair 2003-2004, Chair 2005-2007 and 2013-2014). She has served in the following roles: NALA Liaison (2005-2006 and 2014-2015); 2nd Vice President (2006-2007); and President (2008-2009 and 2020-2021). She later served as Interim Secretary for 2021-2022. Dixie has been a NALA member since 2004, and has been a member of the Bar Association's Second Circuit Women in Law since 2014.

When Dixie is not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Mike, and their daughter, Alexis. She also enjoys camping, gardening, and fishing, as well as volunteering in Sioux Falls for the Children’s Inn, Habitat for Humanity, and The Banquet.

Vicki joined Duncan Law Firm in Sioux Falls office in July, 2009.  She assists attorneys Drew Duncan and Amanda Engel.  After 25 years working with attorneys, Vicki achieved a personal goal of earning her Certified Paralegal designation in May 2007 through the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) and later obtained the Advanced Certified Paralegal (ACP) designation in Family Law in 2022.  She was voted SDPA's Member of the Year for 2008-2009.  She has also served on various SDPA committees as well as representing the association as NALA Liaison, Second Vice President, and First Vice President prior to serving as President. She has attended two national NALA education conferences.

Vicki is a member of the National Association of Legal Assistants, Second Circuit Women in Law and the South Dakota Trial Lawyers’ Association.  She works primarily in the areas of governmental and regulatory business, business law and domestic relations.  Vicki enjoys spending time with family and friends, and enjoys watching hockey in the winter and riding motorcycle in the summer.

Vicki’s practice philosophy is to provide each client with the best possible personal, professional service, and to treat clients as she would wish her family be treated.

Jennifer X. Frederick, CP graduated from SDSU in 2001 with a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology. She spent over twelve years with Spears Law Office, PC, during which she earned the “Certified Paralegal” designation from NALA, and assisted with a successful Circuit Court Judge campaign.  In 2015, she worked a short time at the Law Office and Mediation Center of Ronald Frauenshuh, until accepting a position with Schoenbeck Law, PC.  Jen joined SDPA in 2007, and was an inaugural member of SDPA’s 360⁰ Leadership Academy.  Jen was awarded by her peers with the 2011-2012 SDPA Member of the Year award, and she has remained active in SDPA, currently serving as co-chair on the Newsletter Committee.  Jen is active in various community organizations, but what she enjoys most is spending time with her husband and precious grandsons.

Jessica Huyck, ACP, obtained her degree in Legal Studies from Colorado Technical University in 2010, graduating with highest honors. She earned her Certified Paralegal (CP) status from the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) in 2011 and her Advanced Certified Paralegal (ACP) status from NALA in 2013 in the specialty area of commercial bankruptcy. Jessica worked as a paralegal for a general practice firm in Brookings following her graduation in 2010 and until the start of 2014, at which time she began her employment with South Dakota State University as a Legal Affairs Specialist in the Office of General Counsel. Jessica has been a member of SDPA since 2009 and has served on various committees within the organization, including the Education Committee, Public Relations Committee and Website Committee. Jessica was elected SDPA’s Member of the Year for 2014-2015. Jessica also successfully completed the Leadership Brookings program in 2018. She regularly volunteers within her community, including her various roles with the First United Methodist Church of Brookings. Spending time with her husband and three daughters is Jessica’s favorite thing to do when she’s not at the office.

Becky Purington, ACP, is an Advanced Certified Paralegal for Black Hills Service Corporation in Rapid City, South Dakota, focusing primarily in governmental law.  She worked previously for Gunderson, Palmer, Nelson & Ashmore, specializing in employment, personal injury, and governmental law.  She earned her Associate's Degree in Paralegal Studies from Western Dakota Technical Institute in 1999 and her Certified Paralegal status in 2000 from the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA).  She has served on many committees and has been elected to numerous leadership positions within the South Dakota Paralegal Association (SDPA) over the years, including serving as President for 2007-2008.  Since 2005 she has been chairman of the Advisory Committee for Paralegal Studies at Western Dakota Technical Institute's Paralegal Program and is a frequent speaker to their paralegal students.  Becky is also a strong supporter of the Pennington County Teen Court program and is a regular volunteer for that organization.

Christi was born in Aberdeen, SD and raised in Warner, SD. She received an Associate of Science Degree from Northern State University. While living in North Dakota, she received her Bachelor of Science Degree and Master of Science Degree in Business Management from Minot State University. She joined Richardson, Wyly, Wise, Sauck & Hieb in 2003 as the bookkeeper/receptionist before becoming a paralegal. Christi obtained her Certified Paralegal designation in 2007 and her Advanced Certified Paralegal specialization in Trial Practice in 2010. Christi worked primarily with Stacy Johnson prior graduating cum laude from Mitchell Hamline School of Law in 2021. She remains with Richardson Law Firm as an associate, and her practice areas include family law, estate planning, probate, criminal, Indian law, and landlord/tenant. Christi and her husband, Jesse, have two children, Tya and Jackson.

Dixie earned her Associate's Degree in Paralegal Studies from Nettleton Community College in 1997, and obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Paralegal Studies in 2002 from National American University in Sioux Falls. She became a Certified Legal Assistant (CLA) through NALA in September, 2004. Dixie has worked as a paralegal since 1998 in the areas of immigration, family law, personal injury, employment law, and probate. In 2006, Dixie began working for Mary H. Burd, Burd and Carper Law Office, in Sioux Falls, in the area of family law.

She became a member of SDPA in 2002 and has served on the following committees: Charge Up (2003-2007); Education (Co-Chair 2015-2016); and Membership (Co-Chair 2003-2004, Chair 2005-2007 and 2013-2014). She has served in the following roles: NALA Liaison (2005-2006 and 2014-2015); 2nd Vice President (2006-2007); and President (2008-2009). Dixie has been a NALA member since 2004, and has been a member of the Bar Association's Second Circuit Women in Law since 2014.

When Dixie is not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband, Mike, and their daughter, Alexis. She also enjoys camping, gardening, and fishing, as well as volunteering in Sioux Falls for the Children’s Inn, Habitat for Humanity, and The Banquet.