South Dakota Supreme Court
The South Dakota Supreme Court is the highest court in South Dakota. Its justices are chosen by gubernatorial appointment from a nominating commission, followed by retention elections. This page lists every justice to serve on the court, current and former, with when they joined the bench and whom they succeeded.
| Justice | Since |
|---|---|
| John K. Konenkamp | 1994 |
| David E. Gilbertson | 1995 |
| Steven L. Zinter | 2002 |
| Glen A. Severson | 2009 |
| Lori S. Wilbur | 2011 |
| Justice | Years |
|---|---|
| Judith K. Meierhenry | 2002–2011 |
| Robert A. Amundson | 1991–2002 |
| Robert A. Miller | 1986–2001 |
| Richard W. Sabers | 1986–2008 |
| George W. Wuest | 1984–1994 |
| Frank E. Henderson | 1979–1994 |
| Jon Fosheim | 1978–1986 |
| Robert E. Morgan | 1977–1991 |
| Donald James Porter | 1977–1979 |
| Lawrence J. Zastrow | 1976–1979 |
| Oren P. Coler | 1974–1977 |
| Francis G. Dunn | 1973–1985 |
| James M. Doyle | 1971–1976 |
| Fred R. Winans | 1971–1976 |
| Roger Leland Wollman | 1971–1985 |
| Frederick J. Homeyer | 1962–1971 |
| Frank Biegelmeier | 1959–1974 |
| Harold Bogue Jr. | 1957–1959 |
| Charles S. Hanson | 1956–1973 |
| Alex Rentto | 1955–1971 |
| Boyd Leedom | 1951–1955 |
| Charles R. Hayes | 1947–1951 |
| Vernon R. Sickel | 1937–1962 |
| St. Clair Smith | 1937–1962 |
| Everett D. Roberts | 1931–1970 |
| Herbert B. Rudolph | 1931–1957 |
How a justice reaches this court. Justices of the South Dakota Supreme Court are appointed by the governor to 8-year terms and then face yes-or-no retention elections. The Judicial Qualifications Commission nominates and the governor appoints; the first retention election is three years after appointment, then every eight years. Selection methods vary by jurisdiction and have changed over time; this page reflects the court’s current method (source: National Center for State Courts). Open any justice to see their tenure and whom they succeeded.
Source: CourtListener / Free Law Project; selection method from the National Center for State Courts. Data last verified 2026-06-30. Verify against the primary source before relying. Not a consumer report (FCRA).