BUSINESS JOURNAL

Attorney develops passion for criminal justice

Sioux Falls Business Journal

This week’s Monday Q&A featuresAshley Miles, an attorney at Heidepriem, Purtell and Siegel, LLP.

Question: Tell us a little about yourself.

Answer: I spent my childhood just outside of Sioux Falls, where I attended and graduated from the Harrisburg school district. I chose to continue my education at the University of South Dakota, where I majored in criminal justice and minored in both business and leadership. Throughout college, I developed a passion for legal studies and chose to continue my education at the University of South Dakota, School of Law.

During my law school career, I dedicated a substantial portion of my time to the South Dakota School of Law, Innocence Project. The Innocence Project is a legal organization dedicated to assisting prisoners who were wrongfully convicted and could be proven innocent through DNA testing. To date, more than 300 people in the United States have been exonerated by DNA testing, including 18 prisoners who served time on death row. My time with this organization helped foster a passion for defending and assisting individuals accused of criminal offenses.

Following graduation, I accepted a position as a deputy public defender at the Minnehaha County Public Defenders’ Office. During my time with the Public Defenders’ Office, I represented individuals charged with offenses ranging from petty misdemeanors to first degree murder. This experience taught me to care for individuals that had been overlooked and rejected from society. I passionately defended my clients, while at the same time trying to help those that needed rehabilitation.

After spending nearly three years with the Public Defenders’ Office, I chose to pursue a career in civil and criminal litigation. In April 2015, I accepted a position as an associate attorney at the law firm of Heidepriem, Purtell and Siegel, LLP.

Q: What’s the best part about your job?

A: As a criminal defense lawyer, I have the ability to help struggling individuals with not only criminal litigation, but I also am able to help them overcome their additions, safely leave abusive relationships and help mend broken families. Through this work, I am able to help many people achieve a second chance at life. Now, working at Heidepriem, Purtell & Siegel, I am able to help those who have been injured by no fault of their own. The best aspect of my job is being able to significantly impact individual lives every day.

Q: You work for a relatively new firm in town. What kind of culture are you trying to create there?

A: Heidepriem, Purtell & Siegel, dedicates itself to an innovative and progressive practice, while still providing legal services with expertise, integrity and respect for our clients and the community. I am mentored each day by attorneys that, combined, have more than 80 years of litigation experience. Through this mentorship, I continuously learn to exhibit superior qualifications of legal expertise, leadership, reputation and influence in the community.

Q: What advice would you give a young person considering the legal profession?

A: The legal profession is extremely diverse and is not limited solely to litigation or even to practice as an attorney. Someone considering the legal profession should try learn and experience as many different fields of law as possible. This will help them decide what career they would like to pursue after law school. Involvement in the community, internships, having a mentor and keeping an open mind are all very important when entering the legal profession.

Q: What motivates you to be active in your community or profession?

A: The only way for our community to grow and prosper is for us to give back our time. I believe that being a part of the community and helping those who have nowhere else to turn, instead of turning a blind eye, will eventually lead to a stronger more prosperous community and help those families that thrive within.

Q: Do you have a certain service organization or charity you like to support?

A: I frequently dedicate my time to the Banquet in Sioux Falls, where I help feed and provide for the impoverished. I also dedicate my time to assisting at the law school, where I am dedicated to training and mentoring new attorneys. I am currently a member of the South Dakota Bar Association, the South Dakota Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the South Dakota Trial Lawyers Association and the Second Circuit Bar Association. I also serve as a leader at Girl’s State and assist with the undergraduate mock trial competitions.

Q: What do you do for fun?

A: I spend a significant amount of time with my family and friends. In my down time, I enjoy reading, fishing, camping and snowboarding.

Q: What do you like about living in Sioux Falls?

A: Sioux Falls is a prosperous and unique city. It is not overly big and strives to maintain a family oriented atmosphere. This rapid growing city provides a great environment for our youth to obtain and keep jobs.

Q: What can Sioux Falls do to attract more young professionals?

A: Through its rapidly growing job market, Sioux Falls has attracted a large young professional network. By offering unique opportunities, a low cost of living and a family focused atmosphere, Sioux Falls had done an outstanding job of attracting and keeping a large young professional network. I hope that we continue to grow to provide more opportunities, which will, in turn, attract an ever-growing population of young professionals.