Alison J. Ramsdell

U.S. Attorney

Alison J. Ramsdell is the 44^th United States Attorney for the District of South Dakota. Ramsdell was sworn in by U.S. District Judge Roberto A. Lange on April 21, 2022, and her appointment took effect on April 22, 2022.

As U.S. Attorney, Ramsdell serves as the chief federal law enforcement officer for the District of South Dakota. She leads an office of Assistant United States Attorneys and support professionals who are responsible for prosecuting federal crimes, defending the interests of the United States, and protecting the civil rights of all South Dakotans. Outside the District of South Dakota, Ramsdell serves as Chair of the Attorney General Advisory Committee’s Native American Issues Subcommittee. She is also a member of the subcommittees addressing Violent Crime and Civil Rights.

Prior to her appointment, Ramsdell served for eight years as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the District of South Dakota.  In 2016, she was selected to lead the District’s Civil Rights Section, where she was responsible for leading civil rights investigations and enforcing federal civil rights statutes such as the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Fair Housing Act, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, and the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. 

Ramsdell received a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Economics, Spanish, and Public Relations from Valparaiso University. She earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Iowa School of Law. Following law school, Ramsdell clerked for the Honorable Karen E. Schreier, District Court Judge, U.S. District Court for the District of South Dakota.