Inside the Class of 2026: A Conversation with Three USD Knudson School of Law Graduates
Graduate Holly Tofte, J.D. ’26, took an upper-level position working in trust administration following graduation last month. Graduates Rodney Axson, J.D. ’26, and Alee Lewis, J.D. ’26, plan to begin their professional careers upon passing the bar exam this coming July.
Lewis will return to her hometown, Sioux City, Iowa, as an associate attorney with Klass Law Firm. Axson will start working at Moulton Bellingham, P.C., a civil litigation firm in Billings, Montana.
The following are excerpts from a conversation with these graduates.
Looking back, what advice do you have for the first-year law student version of yourself?
“I would remind myself that struggling at first does not mean you do not belong and that over time, you become much more comfortable, confident and familiar with the process. I spent a lot of my 1L year doubting myself and questioning whether I was smart enough to be here, so I would tell myself to have more faith in my abilities.” – Lewis
“Live in the moment. The three years of law school are so stressful, and it feels like all you do is work. Taking time to live in the moment and enjoy those little things like hanging out with friends, having study sessions and D-Days. This will help you appreciate the journey so much more.” – Axson
“I would tell myself to focus less on trying to have everything figured out and more on building relationships and fostering strong habits such as time management. Additionally, I would say to trust the process and to say yes to the opportunities that will be presented to you.” – Tofte
Why did you originally choose to go to law school?
“I decided to go to law school because, ever since I was little, I was drawn to that career path. I knew I wanted to become a lawyer and hoped to build a career where I could meaningfully impact the lives of others through my work. I chose USD because it was close to home and the campus was a place where I would feel comfortable.” – Lewis
“This is the career I’ve wanted ever since I was in kindergarten. Law school and becoming an attorney are important to me because I have always wanted to advocate and give a voice to those who are not able to be heard. I chose USD because I realized this place felt like home and would give me the best opportunity to become the best advocate I could be.” – Axson
“As an economics major, law school seemed like the natural next step to further develop my analytical, writing and problem-solving skills. I chose USD Law because of its strong reputation in the state and the opportunity to build meaningful connections with faculty, classmates and industry professionals throughout South Dakota.” – Tofte
What is your favorite memory from your time at USD Knudson School of Law?
“The best parts of law school have been the relationships I’ve built along the way. Law school gave me close-knit friendships and a strong sense of community in a way I had never experienced before. Throughout law school, I have made incredible friends, created so many meaningful memories and had experiences I will cherish for the rest of my life.” – Lewis
“My favorite USD memory is my 3L spring Trial Team competition in Syracuse, New York. My family was able to travel to witness me compete and do what I love.” – Axson
“My favorite memories from USD Law are any of the moot court trips. These were opportunities not only to improve my writing, research and public speaking ability, but they also allowed me to develop meaningful friendships with classmates.” – Tofte
What do you dream of doing with your J.D.?
“I hope to build a career where I can meaningfully help others while continuing to challenge myself and grow both as an attorney and as a person. I am especially interested in agricultural law and hope that one day I have the opportunity to practice in that area.” – Lewis
“My dream is to be an Agriculture and Natural Resources Law attorney and eventually work in Washington, D.C., as the Secretary of Agriculture.” – Axson
“With my J.D., I hope to continue building a career where I can help families and their advisors navigate important financial and estate planning matters.” – Tofte
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