SOUTH DAKOTA PARALEGAL ASSOCIATION - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- President
Job Titles:
- 1st Vice President
- Member of the Executive Committee
Christal Schreiber was born in raised in Selby prior to attending college at National American University where she pursued a Paralegal Degree. Upon graduation, she relocated to St. Louis, Missouri, where she worked for a law firm for 8 ½ years before returning to South Dakota to raise her family. She has 20 years of experience in the paralegal field and also owns her own business, a personal training studio, which she has done for 31 years. She loves both professions and enjoys spending time every day between the two places. She recently renewed her paralegal certificate through the University of Colorado and is glad to be back in this profession after spending five years in the banking industry. She is currently employed at Schreiber Law Firm, Prof. LLC in Pierre, and works with her husband, Brad Schreiber. They have five children, all of whom are grown and gone from home. When she and Brad aren't working, they enjoy spending time in the Hills, riding their motorcycles, and spending time with family. She served as SDPA's 2nd Vice President for 2021-2022.
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.
Job Titles:
- 2nd Vice President
- Member of the Executive Committee
Cindy Wooten, ACP, is a military veteran and member of the Samish Indian Nation. She has an Associate of Arts degree from the University of Maryland and is currently working toward her bachelor's degree in Legal Studies. Cindy is an Advanced Certified Paralegal obtaining her certifications through the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA). Her career has taken her from Washington D.C., where her military career ended and paralegal career began, to Texas, where she specialized in bankruptcy and litigation, and taught continuing legal education night courses (for the CP exam) at Midwestern State University. After a brief hiatus to McClellan AFB, California, she went back to Texas for a short period of time. She then moved to Ohio where she worked at a mid-size law firm as its bankruptcy paralegal and assisted the energy, labor & employment, healthcare, and litigation groups. Changing gears for a short time, Cindy assisted military veterans at the Veterans Service Office in Morrow County, Ohio. Then, getting back into the legal arena, Cindy went in-house and began working in the healthcare sector for a major medical device and pharmaceutical distributor. Cindy also worked as an assistant to a prosecuting attorney in Columbus, Ohio. After a tragic loss in 2018, Cindy moved to South Dakota and began working as a paralegal for Midcontinent Communications ("Midco"). Cindy's focus at Midco is contracts but she also assists with FCC filings, litigation, and corporate matters. She served as SDPA's NALA Liaison for 2021-2022 and now also has the pleasure of serving as 2nd Vice President for 2022-2023.
Job Titles:
- Chairman
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Treasurer
Clara Kiley, CP, has been a certified paralegal since 1999. Prior to taking the exam, she worked in a law office in Belle Fourche beginning in 1985. She started in that position with no prior legal education or experience. She has now worked as a paralegal at the Butte County State's Attorney's Office for ten years. Clara and her husband will celebrate their 37th anniversary in September and have three grown sons and two grandsons. Clara enjoys camping, kayaking, gardening, and hiking (most anything that involves the outdoors), or anything that involves her grandchildren.
Job Titles:
- Chairman
- Certified Paralegal
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.
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.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- Secretary
Michelle (Shelly) Tyndall graduated from Moorhead State University with a Bachelor of Science degree, as a Legal Assistant major, in 1994. Upon graduation, she began her career working as a paralegal at a law firm in Belle Fourche, South Dakota. She's remained there since that time, although the firm has changed over the years, working primarily in the area of civil litigation. She's worked exclusively for Robert L. Morris, Morris Law Firm, since 2013.
Michelle obtained her Certified Legal Assistant (CLA) designation in 1995, and has obtained her Advanced Certified Paralegal (ACP) designation in the areas of Civil Litigation, Trial Practice and Real Estate Principles.
Michelle has been a member of the South Dakota Paralegal Association since 1994, serving as NALA Liaison and on various committees. She has been active in her community, serving as a volunteer for United Way, CASA, Parents Who Care (Post Prom) and Bronc Gridiron Club.
Michelle and her husband, Mike, have two teenage sons, Jackson and Logan. In her spare time, she enjoys attending sporting events and spending time outdoors in the Black Hills.
Job Titles:
- Certified Paralegal at Gunderson
Becky is an Advanced Certified Paralegal at Gunderson, Palmer, Nelson & Ashmore, LLP, 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 been elected to numerous leadership positions within the South Dakota Paralegal Association (SDPA) including president in 2007-2008 and has served on numerous committees within the organization. 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.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Executive Committee
- NALA Liaison
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.