The South Dakota Complaint for Legal Malpractice — General Form is a legal document used by individuals in South Dakota seeking to file a complaint against an attorney for professional negligence or misconduct. This document outlines the specific details of the alleged legal malpractice, providing a thorough description of the incident and the damages experienced by the complainant. Key elements included in the South Dakota Complaint for Legal Malpractice — General Form typically cover the following aspects: 1. Parties Involved: The complaint begins by identifying the complainant (the individual alleging legal malpractice) and the defendant (the attorney accused of malpractice). It includes their names, addresses, and any relevant contact information. 2. Jurisdiction & Venue: This section specifies the court in which the complaint is being filed, along with the appropriate venue for the case. 3. Background Information: In this section, claimants provide a concise summary of the attorney-client relationship and the legal matter in question. It may include details such as when the attorney was hired, the nature of the legal matter, and the specific duties owed by the attorney to the client. 4. Allegations of Legal Malpractice: The core part of the complaint outlines the details of the alleged legal malpractice. Complainants must provide a clear and concise account of how the attorney breached their professional duty, such as failure to perform adequate research, missed deadlines, inadequate communication, conflicts of interest, or any other act or omission that may have caused harm or damage to the client. 5. Damages Sought: Here, the complainant specifies the damages they are seeking as a result of the alleged legal malpractice. These damages may include financial losses incurred, emotional distress, reputational harm, or any other relevant losses. 6. Affidavit of Merit: In certain cases, South Dakota law may require complainants to include an affidavit of merit along with the complaint. This affidavit must be sworn and signed by another attorney knowledgeable in the area of law related to the malpractice claim, affirming that the complaint is not frivolous or without merit. It is important to note that while the South Dakota Complaint for Legal Malpractice — General Form provides a framework for filing a legal malpractice claim, variations or additional specific forms may exist depending on the nature of the claim or local court requirements. Thus, it is advisable to consult with an attorney or thoroughly research the specific requirements of the South Dakota court system before filing a complaint.