Samuel D. Kerr
Sam Kerr concentrates his practice at Lynn, Jackson, Shultz & Lebrun on education law, labor and employment law, administrative law, and litigation. He primarily represents public and private K-12 school districts, higher education institutions, and accrediting bodies, as well as employers from a variety of industries. Sam is admitted to practice in all state and federal courts in South Dakota.
Sam is a native of Rapid City. He obtained his bachelor’s degree from Black Hills State University, a Master’s of Education degree from South Dakota State University, a law degree from the University of Nebraska, and an Education Doctorate from the University of South Dakota. Prior to joining Lynn Jackson, Sam was a high school teacher, and then was in private practice with another firm for over 9 years before re-entering the education sector where he served as provost, chief operating officer, general counsel, and faculty member. Sam returned to private practice with Lynn Jackson in 2016.
In addition to an active legal practice, Sam teaches school law for the graduate school at the University of South Dakota. He is an AV-rated lawyer and has been named to Best Lawyers in America® for education law. He is a member of the Board of Directors for the ASBSD Council of School Attorneys, serves as legal counsel for the School Administrators of South Dakota (SASD), and is a member of the National Association of College & University Attorneys. Sam is also a member of the South Dakota, Pennington County, and American Bar Associations.
In his spare time, Sam enjoys spending time with family and friends, as well as playing golf. He and his wife have a daughter, who is also an attorney.
- University of South Dakota, Ed.D., Education Administration, 2001
- University of Nebraska-Lincoln, College of Law, J.D., 1992
- South Dakota State University, M.Ed., Education Administration, 1986
- Black Hills State University, B.S.Ed., Secondary Education, 1982
- Black Hills State University, B.S., English/History, 1982
- Kerr, S., Bennett, M. Students with Disabilities and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, Presented for SD COSA School Law Webinar (January 2023).
- Kerr, S., Freeman, R., and Kaufman, G. Anatomy of a School Board Hearing, Presented at ASBSD/SASD Annual Meeting, Sioux Falls, SD (August 2022).
- Kerr, S., Freeman, R., and Kaufman, G. Know (and Follow) the Open Meeting Laws, Presented at ASBSD/SASD Annual Meeting, Sioux Falls, SD (August 2022).
- Kerr, S. Overview of Students’ Rights with IEP’s and 504 Plans, Presented for SD COSA School Law Webinar (January 2022).
- Kerr, S., Freeman, R., and Kaufman, G. Sexual Harassment in Schools-What Superintendents and Board Members Need to Know, Presented at ASBSD/SASD Annual Meeting, Sioux Falls, SD. (August 2021).
- Kerr, S. Title IX: Checklist for School Districts and Other Considerations, Presented for SD COSA School Law Webinar. (October 2021).
- Kerr, S., Morgen, M. An Overview of HLC’s Teach-Out Policy and Procedure. Presented at The Higher Learning Commission, Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL. (April 2019).
- Kerr, S., Sweeney, A., and Morgen, M. Change of Control, Structure or Organization: A Key HLC Policy in a Transforming Landscape. Presented at The Higher Learning Commission, Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL. (April 2019).
- Kerr, S. Selected HR Topics in SD Public Schools. Presented at SD COSA School Law Days, Rapid City, SD; Sioux Falls, SD. (November 2018).
- Kerr, S. Selected Conflict of Interest in SD Public Schools. Presented at SD COSA School Law Days, Rapid City, SD; Sioux Falls, SD. (October 2017).
- Kerr, S., Dealing with the Trouble/Troubling Employee, National Business Institute, Employment Law: 2017 Comprehensive Guide Seminar, Rapid City, SD. (May 2017).
- Kerr, S., and Martin E. Change of Control, Structure or Organization: What It Is and Why You Should Care, Presented at The Higher Learning Commission, Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL. (April 2017).
- Kerr, S., Shape, R., and Zook, L. Planning a Successful Teach Out, Presented at The Higher Learning Commission, Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL. (April 2017).
- Kerr, S., Murphy, S., and Wendler, D. Reaching Consensus During Team Deliberations, Presented at The Higher Learning Commission, Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL. (March 2017).
- Kerr, S., Greene, T., and Shekleton, J. Title IX: Emerging Trends in Investigations, Speech, and Judicial Actions, Presented at South Dakota Higher Education Association, Annual Meeting, Sioux Falls, SD. (February 2017).
- Kerr, S. (December 2016). South Dakota Occupational Growth Outlook. South Dakota Employment Law Letter, Vol. 21 (No. 11).
- Kerr, S. (November 2016). Does Your Organization Suffer from Hiring Snooze? South Dakota Employment Law Letter, Vol. 21 (No. 10
- American Bar Association
- South Dakota Bar Association
- Pennington County Bar Association
- South Dakota Council of School Attorneys
- Society of Human Resource Management
- Association of Title IX Administrators
- HLC Advanced Accreditation Certification in Peer Review (2015)
- Martindale-Hubbell’s “AV” Rated Lawyer
- Best Lawyers in America®:
- Education Law
- Higher Learning Commission Advanced Accreditation Certificate in Peer Review (2015)
- Phi Delta Kappa
- Numerous presentations and training sessions for the Higher Learning Commission (2008-2016)
- Richard Thompson Leadership Award (2007)
- Captain, U.S. Army National Guard (1982-1993)
- Adjunct faculty member, Division of Educational Leadership, University of South Dakota
- Graduate and undergraduate faculty member teaching Labor Law, Employment Law, and Human Resources Management
- High School English/Journalism Teacher
- Rapid City Area Chamber of Commerce: Member of Governmental Affairs and Workforce Development Committees, (2016-present).
Contact
Main Office:
Rapid City, SD 57701
Admissions:
- State of South Dakota
- United States District Court for the District of South Dakota
English 
Español