Gina Ruggieri

An Experienced Attorney

Gina Ruggieri is an excellent Family Law attorney, a skilled lawyer with 9 years of legal experience in South Dakota.  Gina is originally from Pennsylvania and came to South Dakota to work in Indian Country.

She is admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court of South Dakota, and before several tribal courts throughout the state. She has served as both a tribal prosecutor, and as a tribal court judge.

Gina is an experienced lawyer with a focus on criminal defense, federal Indian law, family law, and special education law.

Legal Background

Gina attended NYU and later earned her law degree in 2013.  After serving as a pro bono attorney for a legal aid in their domestic violence unit, Gina worked for Dakota Plains on the Crow Creek Sioux Indian Reservation. 

After several years, Gina started her own practice and then later joined Southern Hills Law firm in the summer of 2023.  Ms. Ruggieri has dedicated more than half her legal career to public service and is eager to serve her clients in  Hot Springs, and Custer and the Black Hills area.

Recent Awards

Special Education Law

Ms. Ruggieri recently won an important case in Federal Court,   Steckelberg v Chamberlain School District,  4:21-CV-4130-LLP (D.S.D. Jan. 18, 2022) . This was a big win, and a welcome award for the family, and Ms. Ruggieri is very proud that she was able to help her clients in this four year long battle against the school.

Criminal Defense

If you’ve been charged with a crime, we’ll defend your rights and fight for your freedom. Our team has experience in all areas of criminal defense.

Family Law

We provide compassionate and effective representation for all family law matters, including divorce, child custody, and more.