David Gilbertson

David Gilbertson
Chief Justice of the South Dakota Supreme Court
In office September 15, 2001 – January 5, 2021
Preceded by	Robert Miller
Succeeded by	Steven R. Jensen
Associate Justice of the South Dakota Supreme Court
In office April 13, 1995 – January 5, 2021
Appointed by	Bill Janklow
Preceded by	Rudy Henderson
Succeeded by	Scott P. Myren
Personal details
Born	(1949-10-29) October 29, 1949 (age 75)
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Deborah Gilbertson
Children	4
Education	South Dakota State University (BS) University of South Dakota (JD)

David Gilbertson (born October 29, 1949^[1]) is the former Chief Justice of the South Dakota Supreme Court.^[2]

Early life and education

Gilbertson attended South Dakota State University, graduating in 1972 with a Bachelor of Science in Geography.^[1][2] He then graduated from the University of South Dakota School of Law in 1975.^[1] He did not take the bar exam as he was admitted to the South Dakota bar under diploma privilege.^[3]

Career

Gilbertson established a private practice in Sisseton, South Dakota and simultaneously served as Roberts County Deputy State's Attorney and City Attorney for Sisseton.

State judicial service

In 1986 Governor Bill Janklow appointed him circuit judge of the Fifth Judicial Circuit. Janklow appointed Gilbertson an Associate Justice of the South Dakota Supreme Court April 3, 1995. He was retained by the voters for successive eight-year terms in 1998, 2006, and 2014.^[2]

When Chief Justice Robert A. Miller retired in 2001, Gilbertson was elected chief justice of the court. In 2009 Gilbertson was reelected to his third 4-year term as chief justice.^[2]

Gilberston retired upon reaching mandatory retirement age upon the completion of his current term on January 5, 2021.^[4]

References

1. "South Dakota Unified Judicial System". Archived from the original on 2008-08-22. Retrieved 2009-02-16.
2. "Supreme Court Home". The South Dakota Supreme Court. South Dakota Unified Judicial System. Retrieved February 15, 2015.
3. South Dakota Codified Laws. West. pp. SD Sup Ct Rule 3 (1973), SDCL 16-16-6.1 (1983 Supp) (amended by 1983 SD Sess Laws ch 398 (Supreme Court Rule 82-25), repealed by 1987 SD Sess Laws ch 406 (Supreme Court Rule 86-32)).
4. Bartels, Del Bartels (January 8, 2020). "Chief Justice Gilbertson to retire, by law, Jan. 5 2021". Capital Journal. Retrieved June 26, 2020.

Legal offices
Preceded by Rudy Henderson	Justice of the South Dakota Supreme Court 1995–2021	Succeeded by Scott P. Myren
Preceded by Robert A. Miller	Chief Justice of the South Dakota Supreme Court 2001–2021	Succeeded by Steven R. Jensen