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Melissa Fiksdal

Biography

I was born and raised in Renner, South Dakota, a small town just north of Sioux Falls. Today, I can proudly say that I learned many of the true lessons in life by taking ownership of not only my successes, but also my failures as well.

I attended high school at Washington Senior High (when it was still downtown) and graduated in 1990. I spent most of my 20s working in various areas, raising my two daughters, and learning many of the lessons in life that cannot be taught in a book.

I eventually returned to more traditional studies in my 30s. In 2007, I graduated summa cum laude from National American University with a Bachelors’ degree in Paralegal Studies. From there, I pursued my dream of attending law school. In 2010, I graduated from the University of South Dakota School of Law. I then went on to proudly serve as a staff attorney at the Minnehaha County Public Defender’s Office until June of 2013. It was at this point that I joined Jeff Larson Law, P.C. (Now, Resolute Law Firm). I also currently serve on the board of directors for East River Legal Services.

I met my wonderful husband, Bruce Fiksdal, in 2003. In 2006 we were married, and I joyfully accepted the additional blessing of my ‘bonus daughter.’ While I cannot say that we have the traditional South Dakota family, I can say that God certainly blessed our broken road and bestowed unto us many gifts. My life experiences have taught me that families come in many sizes and shapes, and every family can be perfect and wonderful in their own way.

Today, I continue to work in criminal defense and have expanded my practice into family law. I feel that my life experience, education and commitment have prepared me to best serve people in these areas of the law. I have always felt that it is a privilege to help others with their legal problems and have a passion to ensure legal representation is accessible to all, regardless of a person’s station in life. I look forward to helping you in any way that I can.

Practice Areas

  • Criminal Defense
  • Family Law
  • Divorce
  • Juvenile Defense

Education

  • University of South Dakota School of Law, Vermillion, South Dakota
    • 2010
  • National American University
    • Bachelors’ - 2007
    • Honors: summa cum laude
    • Major: Paralegal Studies
  • Washington Senior High
    • 1990

Pro-Bono Activities

  • East River Legal Services, Board of Directors, 2011 to Present

Past Positions

  • Minnehaha County Public Defender’s Office, Staff Attorney, 2010 to 2013

Professional Associations

  • South Dakota Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, 2013 to Present
  • South Dakota Trial Lawyers Association, 2013 to Present
  • National Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, 2010 to Present

Current Employment Position

  • Attorney and Partner

Bar Admissions

  • South Dakota, 2010
  • U.S. District Court District of South Dakota
  • U.S. Court of Appeals 8th Circuit