Feb. 18, 2025

This week’s Up-and-Comer is Susan Rasmussen, an associate attorney at Woods Fuller.

Name: Susan Rasmussen

Age: 33

Hometown: I grew up right here in Sioux Falls.

What brought you to Sioux Falls?

I moved away in 2009 to attend college in Wyoming, where I settled after graduating and first started my family and career. Like many others in 2020, the COVID pandemic then ushered us back home to be closer to family and more opportunities.

What keeps you in Sioux Falls?

We have a great community of friends, family, school and church life here. Sioux Falls also offers so many opportunities for work, entertainment and education. As outdoor enthusiasts, we especially love the park and bike trail system, as well as the easy access to state parks in the area.

What’s your favorite thing about your job?

My favorite thing about my job is guiding businesses and individuals through complex legal challenges so they can focus on growth and innovation. I enjoy being a trusted adviser, finding practical solutions and knowing my work contributes to my clients’ success and stability.

How did you get connected to your industry?

I started working in the legal field as a legal secretary/assistant for a solo practitioner. It was then that I first uncovered my love for the law. I obtained my paralegal certification in short order and after a few years cemented that this was a profession I wanted to be in the rest of my career. Although I already had a graduate degree and an established job and family life, I took the plunge and enrolled in law school as a nontraditional student. My many years of experience in the industry have informed and fueled my current practice.

Describe your workplace in three words.

Collaborative, authentic and distinguished.

What is something someone might be surprised to learn about you?

I speak Latin fluently. I have a master’s in classics and was a Latin teacher for several years before starting law school.

What’s your favorite way to give back to your community?

Giving back to the community is important to me because it’s a chance to make a tangible impact in areas that matter deeply to me. I enjoy doing this most by organizing and participating in a local support system that addresses personalized care needs such as meal trains for those grieving the loss of a loved one or recovering after the birth of a new child, and serving on the board of directors for nonprofits that focus on care for women, children and entrepreneurs.

What’s one business you’d like to see in Sioux Falls that isn’t here now?

I would love to have an Ikea in Sioux Falls. The unique shopping experience and affordable prices would surely boost the local economy by attracting shoppers from the surrounding area.