Smith, Craig

Keith R. Smit has been practicing law in Sturgis for over 43 years, and is considered one of the preeminent corporate and probate attorneys in the state of South Dakota. Mr. Smit was born in Alta, Iowa in June of 1941. He attended the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, South Dakota where he received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration in 1964, and majored in Economics. In 1967 he received his Juris Doctor, and was admitted to the South Dakota State Bar. He came to practice with Dale L. Morman in Sturgis, South Dakota. According to Mr. Morman, "I had to either hire him as a partner, or he was going to open up a law office across the street and put me out of business!" Mr. Morman wisely chose the former, and the two associated together until Mr. Morman's death in 2009. Mr. Smit's degree in Business Administration, his major in economics, and experience in running businesses was immediately put to work. His background in tax planning and probate planning created a unique opportunity for legal services for the clients in the Black Hills and West River area.

Over the years, Mr. Smit has also been actively involved in the community, donating his time and financial assistance to public improvement projects, such as the Sturgis Community Center, Woodle Field and Jeff Smit Memorial Track, and other economic projects. He has, on numerous occasions, held the position of Sturgis City Attorney, working under different mayors to promote and develop economic projects which have benefited the City of Sturgis specifically, and the area in general.

Keith still actively practices law, concentrating on estate planning, probate law, corporate law, real estate law and banking. He also assists the other attorneys in the office on various legal matters they have ongoing, and has served as a mentor for all of the attorneys currently at the Morman Law Firm.

Keith and his wife, Ruth, reside in Sturgis. They frequently travel to Big Sky, Montana, to visit their children and grandchildren.