South Dakota Supreme Court Justices have selected Justice Steven R. Jensen to serve as the next Chief Justice of the state’s highest court.
Jensen, a resident of Union County, grew up on a farm near Wakonda. He became a circuit judge in 2003 and was appointed to the Supreme Court in 2017.
Jensen says we continue to face challenges ahead, but he’s looking forward to serving the people of South Dakota as Chief Justice. He’s grateful to Chief Justice David Gilbertson who leaves the court system in a strong position.
The Chief Justice is the administrative head of the South Dakota court system which has 586 employees and an annual operating budget of $58 million dollars. The Chief Justice also works very closely with the Governor and the Legislature on matters related to the court system in South Dakota.
Governor Kristi Noem congratulates Jensen on his selection to serve as the next Chief Justice of the South Dakota Supreme Court. She also thanked outgoing Chief Justice David Gilbertson for his long career of service, including his 20 years as Chief Justice– the longest such tenure in state history.
Jensen will assume the office of Chief Justice immediately upon the retirement of Gilbertson in January, 2021.
Jensen received his undergraduate degree from Bethel University in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1985 and his Juris Doctor from the University of South Dakota School of Law in 1988. He clerked for Justice Richard Sabers on the South Dakota Supreme Court before entering private practice in 1989. Jensen and his wife, Sue, have three children.
