Piersol & Billion, LLP
Sioux Falls, SD
Attorneys & Counselors at Law Sioux Falls, SD
Catherine V. Piersol
Catherine V. Piersol received her Juris Doctorate from the University of South Dakota, and has been practicing law since 1985. She specializes in Family Law, Employment Law, and Civil Litigation. Cathy's contributions to the community are numerous. Aside from her professional roles as an attorney, which are outlined below, Cathy has made many significant and long-standing contributions through her involvement in and leadership of local and nationwide civic and philanthropic organizations.
Professional Memberships & Recognition:
- Board of Governors of South Dakota Trial Lawyers (former)
- American Bar Association
- South Dakota Bar Association
- Second Judicial Circuit Bar Association
- American Association of Justice
- Federal Practice Committee for the District of South Dakota
- Eighth Circuit Gender & Fairness Committee
- University of South Dakota Law School Foundation (former)
- Phi Delta Phi
- Woman Lawyer of the Year in South Dakota (1996)
- Fellow of the American Bar Foundation
- The American Trial Lawyers Association Top 100 Trial Lawyers
- Zoological Society
Published Articles
- South Dakota Labor and Employment Law, 1997
- South Dakota Law Review, Published Note, January, 1984, Volume 30
- South Dakota Law Review, Published Comment, Spring, 1985, Volume 31
- South Dakota Law Review Digest, 1987
Community Involvement (Past & Present)
- Board of Directors, Bush Foundation, St. Paul, MN
- Kennedy Center Committee for the Performing Arts
- Children's Home Society of South Dakota
- Washington Pavilion Performance Center Advisory Board
- Breast Health Institute Advisory Board
- University of South Dakota Foundation, Executive Board, Board of Trustees
- South Dakota Cultural Heritage Center Foundation
- Killian Community College
- President, Sioux Empire Arts Council
- Sioux Falls Community Playhouse
- Very Special Arts, State President (1990-94)
- Sioux Empire Arts Council, Board of Directors (President, 1986-88)
- South Dakota Symphony, Board of Directors (President, 1975-77; Secretary, 1973-75; Member, 1971-82 and 1989-94)
- Recipient of the YWCA Leaderluncheon Award for the Arts (1980)
- Children's Inn, Board of Directors (1990-99)
- CASA, Board of Directors (1996-99)
- East River Legal Services (Treasurer)
- American Indian Services, Board of Directors (1986-94)
- United Way, Board of Directors (1985-91)
- Sioux Empire Entertainment League (1994)
- Prairie Freedom Center, Board of Directors (1995)
- Volunteer and Information Center, Board of Directors (1975-79; 1988-90)
- Susan G. Komen Foundation, Advisory Board (1990-92)
- Threshold (now Turning Point), Board of Directors (1985-89)
- AAUW, Board of Directors (1988)
- Center for Women, Board of Directors (1985-88)
- CENCOAD, Sioux Falls (1977-79)
- Minnesota Public Radio (1978-81)
- Past member of the Sioux Falls Planning and Zoning Commission for 11 1/2 years, served as both Vice-Chair and Chair of the Commission (1973-1984)
Seminars
- August 1, 2000: Lorman Education Services, Family Medical Leave Act in South Dakota "FMLA Basics: a) Purpose of the Act; b) Covered Employers; c) Eligible Employees; d) Reasons for Leave; e) Amount and Types of Leave; f) Employer Obligations; g) Benefits During Leave; h) Key Employees; and i) Legal Claims and Damages."
- April 9, 1999: State Bar of South Dakota and the Committe on Continuing Education "Keys to Success for the Sole Practitioner and Small Firm"
- October 20, 1998: National Council on Education and Management, Personnel Law Update- 1998, "Discipline and Termination for Poor Attitude or Personality Conflict-- making essential business decisions without fear of lawsuits"
- September 10, 1998: National Business Institute, South Dakota Labor and Employment Law Seminar, "1) Avoiding and Defending Employment Discrimination Charges; 2) In Your Client's Best Interests- Ethical Considerations"
- April 23, 1998: Financial Women International Spring Conference, "Carpe Diem, The Power of Women in Action"
- October 20, 1997: National Council on Education and Management, Personnel Law Update- 1997, "Rotting Roses- Protecting your organization from the escalating (and expensive) consequences of sex and violence in today's workplace"
- June 18, 1997, State Bar of South Dakota and the Committee on Continuing Education/ALPS, "In Jason's Best Interests: The Responsibilities of Lawyers in Custody Disputes"
- May 9, 1997: Special Interest Area Committee, South Dakota Trial Lawyers Association, "Family & Divorce Law Seminar"
- April 25, 1997: State Bar of South Dakota and the Committee on Continuing Education, "Criminal Law and Domestic Relations"
- April 11, 1997: National Council on Education and Management, Personnel Law Update- 1997, "Risk-Free Hiring: How to Interview, Check References and Use Preemployment Testing without Triggering Liability"
- February 26, 1997: Women in Law Symposium, "Salaries and Promotions"
- September 28, 1996: President's Interagency Council on Women, "The U.N. Women's Conference One Year Later"
- June 5, 1996: National Council on Education and Management, Personnel Law Update- 1996, "Harassment, Discrimination, Privacy: The Risks of Workplace Romance (Mock Trial)"
- April 18, 1996: National Business Institute, Inc., South Dakota Labor and Employment Law Seminar, "Sexual Harassment- The Employer's Responsibility"
- February 20, 1992: Special Interest Area Committee, South Dakota Trial Lawyers Association, "How to Handle a Divorce Case: When and Who to Use as Experts in a Divorce Case"- a what to do program for all Law Students
- May 30, 1991: National Business Institute, Inc., Domestic Law in South Dakota- "Winning" for Your Client
