Sara Frankenstein

Sara Frankenstein is a trial lawyer at Gunderson, Palmer, Nelson & Ashmore, LLP in Rapid City. Her practice includes trust litigation, election law, employment law, school law, commercial litigation, insurance defense, constitutional law, and government law involving county, municipal, and administrative matters. She serves governmental clients in litigation and prelitigation matters and handles high-stakes hearings that demand quick analysis, careful preparation, and familiarity with public-law requirements. Her work combines courtroom advocacy with ongoing government counsel.

Sara earned a B.A. and a J.D. from the University of South Dakota. After law school, she served as a law clerk to the Honorable Richard H. Battey of the U.S. District Court in South Dakota. Her education and clerkship provided a strong foundation in legal research, court procedure, constitutional issues, and written advocacy. That background supports her work in election disputes, governmental matters, employment cases, trust litigation, and commercial conflicts involving public entities, businesses, and individuals.

Sara serves as city attorney and special counsel for cities and counties and advises government entities in litigation and prelitigation matters. She trains and advises all 64 South Dakota county election administrators on state and federal election law and provides similar guidance to municipalities. She has testified before Congress twice on voting rights, argued a Voting Rights Act redistricting matter before the Eighth Circuit en banc, and briefed the case to the United States Supreme Court. Her work combines advisory and trial responsibilities.

Sara Frankenstein was appointed to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights in 2026 and has served in leadership roles connected to election law and civil rights. She has been selected as a Great Plains Super Lawyer in Legislative and Governmental Affairs for six years. Her government practice requires careful judgment on election administration, constitutional questions, employment issues, and public litigation. She provides clients with practical counsel when legal decisions affect public bodies, regulated processes, and contested matters under tight deadlines.

Law Office Affiliations

• Attorney, Gunderson, Palmer, Nelson and Ashmore, LLP
• Member, State Bar of South Dakota
• Member, American Bar Association
• Vice Chair, South Dakota Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights
• Executive Director and Producer of the, Miss Rapid City Scholarship Program
• Board Member, National Center for Election Confidence
• Member, U.S. Commission on Civil Rights

Licensed State

• South Dakota

Education

• University of South Dakota
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• University of South Dakota
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Awards & Badges