Chief Justice David Gilbertson’s legacy to South Dakota

By Mimi Larsen Staff Writer

This is Part 1 of a two-part series about the life and legacy of the nation’s longest-serving state supreme court chief justice, David Gilbertson, who retired on Jan. 5, 2021.

David E. Gilbertson, formerly of Sisseton, retired as Chief Justice of the SD. Supreme Court on Jan. 5. He served on the court for 25 years, the last 19 as chief justice, and was the longest serving state supreme court chief justice in the nation. When he left his post, Gilbertson left behind a legacy that will benefit the neediest South Dakotans for generations to come.

Justice Steven Jensen was chosen by his peers to replace Gilbertson. Jensen worked with Gilbertson over the last 10 years, first as the presiding judge in the First Judicial Circuit, and then as a supreme court justice the last three years. For more on this story and many more please purchase a copy of the Sisseton Courier on news stands now or purchase a copy of the E-edtion on this website..