Sioux Falls-Based Federal Prosecutor Awarded Attorney of the Year by the State Bar of South Dakota’s Women in Law Committee

SIOUX FALLS - United States Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell announced today that Diana Ryan, Assistant U.S. Attorney and Chief of the Civil Division at the United States Attorney’s Office in South Dakota, has been awarded Attorney of the Year by the State Bar of South Dakota’s Women in Law Committee. Ms. Ryan was honored at the State Bar’s Annual Convention on Thursday, June 19, 2025, in Rapid City, SD.

The State Bar of South Dakota Women in Law Committee Attorney of the Year award seeks to annually recognize one South Dakota attorney who exemplifies leadership, mentorship, and professionalism while positively inspiring others.

“Diana Ryan has played a critical role at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for more than 35 years, first as a criminal prosecutor handling violent crime in Indian country and then as a civil litigator representing the United States in federal court,” said U.S. Attorney Alison J. Ramsdell. “She is a fierce advocate whose depth of knowledge and practical experience as it relates to federal litigation is truly unmatched in South Dakota. In addition to zealously representing the interests of the United States, Diana has mentored countless attorneys over the course of her career, selflessly giving of her time and energy to invest in the professional development and promote the success of those fortunate enough to call her a colleague. We are thrilled that the Women in Law Committee has honored Diana by naming her Attorney of the Year for 2025.”

Ms. Ryan joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office in 1989 as a criminal prosecutor handling violent crime in the Rapid City area. She became Civil Division Chief in 2004 and has since supervised all affirmative and defensive litigation as well as the Financial Litigation Unit, which collects federal civil debts and enforces court orders for criminal restitution, fines, and penalties. Ms. Ryan has been lead counsel on more than 150 criminal cases, 750 civil cases, and 89 appeals. She has been widely recognized for both her work as an outstanding litigator and her tremendous mentorship and leadership.