Press Release: Jim Seward to Depart as Governor’s General Counsel

Jim Seward to Depart as Governor’s General Counsel

PIERRE, S.D. – Gov. Dennis Daugaard announced today that Jim Seward will depart his position as general counsel to the governor later this fall.

Seward has served as general counsel since Gov. Daugaard took office in 2011 and is a member of the Governor’s Executive Committee. He is departing for an opportunity in the private sector. 

“Jim Seward was one of the first people I hired when I was elected. Not only is Jim a valued member of my executive committee, but he is a policy advisor, policy maker and policy implementer,” said Gov. Daugaard. “Jim led our state’s efforts to reform the criminal justice system and our ongoing efforts to repeal unnecessary statutes and rules. He has been a trusted confident and advisor, and more importantly a good friend. I will miss him, but I wish him the very best.”

Seward joined the Daugaard transition team in December 2010 and became general counsel when Daugaard was sworn in as governor in January 2011. Prior to joining the Governor’s Office, Seward was a practicing attorney in Spearfish. He served from 2001-06 as the Butte County states’ attorney. Seward is a judge advocate general in the South Dakota National Guard. His military service included a tour of duty in Afghanistan in 2004-05, and he was awarded the Bronze Star for his service.

“I want to thank the Governor for his leadership and friendship,” said Seward. “We have taken on and solved enormous challenges together from the Missouri River flood of 2011 to our efforts to reform the corrections system to hold offenders more accountable. It has been an honor and a blessing to serve him, his staff and cabinet, and the people of South Dakota.” 

Seward’s last day will be Oct. 31, 2016. 

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