March 10, 2023

Former city attorney Dave Pfeifle is coming back to his former role.

Mayor Paul TenHaken has appointed Pfeifle to fill the job he also held from 2010 to 2017 during Mayor Mike Huether’s administration.

Since then, he has served as the executive director of the South Dakota Public Assurance Alliance, which is a risk-sharing pool providing property and casualty coverage for local governments in the state, including the city of Sioux Falls.

Pfeifle will fill the city attorney position recently vacated by Stacy Kooistra, who is becoming the chief operating officer and general counsel for the Dakota State University-Applied Research Corporation.

“Bringing Dave back as the city attorney for Sioux Falls is a huge win for the office and the community,” TenHaken said in a statement. “He brings a wealth of knowledge, leadership and experience that will be vital to continue the work of the city attorney’s office and protect the city of Sioux Falls.”

Pfeifle has nearly 30 years of experience practicing law. Before his first stint as the Sioux Falls city attorney, he was in private practice for 16 years, concentrating his practice in the areas of litigation and employment law for public and private entities and individuals. He also has served as the city attorney for Pierre, the state’s attorney for Stanley County and as a public defender for Lincoln County.

“I have enjoyed watching Mayor TenHaken continue to move the city of Sioux Falls in a positive direction, and I look forward to helping him sustain that momentum,” Pfeifle said. “I am honored and humbled to be asked to serve again in this capacity. I will work diligently to prove myself worthy of the mayor’s and the City Council’s confidence in me.”

Pfeifle was born and grew up in Sioux Falls. He has degrees from the University of South Dakota, graduating from the School of Law in 1994.

His appointment will require the advice and consent of the City Council, which has the vote scheduled for March 21.

“Dave’s background in public service will allow him to hit the ground running in this position,” said City Council chair Curt Soehl. “His leadership and expertise in public service will bring so much value to the City Council and the city of Sioux Falls.”