Long-serving South Dakota Supreme Court Justice Janine Kern is retiring.
Kern will retire from the bench in December, according to a Unified Judicial System statement released Wednesday.
“It is with a heart brimming with gratitude for the trust and confidence placed in me, which gave me the opportunity to serve the people of this great state, that I notify you of my retirement on Dec. 8, 2025, nearly 25 years to the day of my investiture as a circuit court judge,” Kern said. “It has been a deep honor and privilege to serve.”
Kern was appointed to the state’s highest court in 2014 by former Gov. Dennis Daugaard. She represents the First Supreme Court District, which includes the Black Hills region.
Prior to her appointment, Kern served as a circuit court judge for 18 years.
“Justice Kern has always had an unwavering commitment to justice, the integrity of the courts, and a deep compassion for the people we serve. Her passion for law and for people has impacted all of us and made the court system better,” Chief Justice Steven R. Jensen said. “Personally, the members of the Court will truly miss Justice Kern as she has been a wonderful friend and colleague to each of us. We wish her all the best as she moves on to her life’s next chapter in December.”
Kern is a member of the American Law Institute, the State Bar Association, the Pennington County Bar Association, the American Bar Association Fellows and past president of the South Dakota Judges Association, according to the statement. She served on the Council of Juvenile Services from 2004 to 2013 and on the Federal Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice from 2004 and 2008, as well as on numerous other boards and commissions.
Her replacement will be appointed by the governor, who chooses from a list selected by the state Judicial Qualification Commission. While there’s no hard timeline, this process historically is completed a month or two before the retiring judge leaves the seat. Justices must be licensed to practice law in South Dakota and voting residents of the district from which they are appointed at the time they take office.