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SD History: The legal career of Justice Judith Meierhenry

Judith Meierhenry, former South Dakota Supreme Court Justice, was appointed by Governor Janklow. She was the first woman appointed to the South Dakota Supreme Court. Meierhenry explained that there was never a dull moment while working with “Wild Bill" during the memorial service on Tuesday, January 17, 2012
SDPB
Judith Meierhenry, former South Dakota Supreme Court Justice, was appointed by Governor Janklow. She was the first woman appointed to the South Dakota Supreme Court. Meierhenry explained that there was never a dull moment while working with “Wild Bill" during the memorial service on Tuesday, January 17, 2012

The attached audio is from SDPB's daily public-affairs show, In the Moment.

We Take A Moment for South Dakota history. South Dakota was the last state in America to appoint a woman on its state Supreme Court. We explore the legal career of Justice Judith Meierhenry.

Meierhenry received her Juris Doctor from the USD School of Law in 1977.

In 1979 Governor Bill Janklow appointed her to serve in the State Economic Opportunity Office. In 1980 she became state Secretary of Labor, and in 1983 she became state Secretary of Education and Cultural Affairs.

From 1985 through 1988 she served as a senior manager and assistant general counsel for Citibank South Dakota.

Meierhenry was appointed judge of the Second Circuit Court in 1988 by Governor George Mickelson and presiding judge of the Second Circuit Court in 1997. In November 2002 Governor Janklow appointed her to the South Dakota Supreme Court, and she served until her retirement in June 2011.