Judicial Qualifications Commission

State of South Dakota

500 East Capitol Avenue

Pierre, SD 57501

Telephone 605-773-3474

Fax 605-773-8437

Robert Morris, Chair 

Hon. Cheryle Gering, Secretary 

Rory King

Raleigh Hansman

Hon. Bobbi Rank

Eric DeNure

Paul Bachand

Lori Grode, Executive Assistant

Email: Lori.Grode@ujs.state.sd.us

December 22, 2025

Notice of Judicial Vacancy

TO: All Active Members of the State Bar of South Dakota

FROM: Cheryle Gering, Secretary, Judicial Qualifications Commission

The Hon. Michael W. Day has announced his retirement effective June 8, 2026. His retirement will create a vacant Circuit Court Judge position (Position B) in the Fourth Judicial Circuit. The duty station for this position will be located in Belle Fourche, SD. As of July 1, 2025, the salary for a circuit court judge position in South Dakota is $183,694.13. In addition, circuit court judges and their dependents are eligible to participate in the State of South Dakota’s health insurance plan; circuit court judges participate in the State’s defined benefit retirement plan. The Judicial Qualifications Commission is now taking applications for this position.

All lawyers and judges interested in applying should obtain the application form at http://ujs.sd.gov/, or contact Lori Grode at the State Court Administrator’s Office. The application must be returned to the Administrator’s Office and must be postmarked no later than 5:00 PM on February 13, 2026. Applicants should make sure the application submitted is the 2018 revision.

You may also obtain the application form by writing or telephoning:

Lori Grode

State Court Administrator’s Office

500 East Capitol Avenue

Pierre, SD 57501

Telephone: 605-773-3474

Email: lori.grode@ujs.state.sd.us

Or, visit http://ujs.sd.gov/ for current job openings.

The Fourth Circuit is comprised of the following counties: Butte, Corson, Harding, Dewey, Lawrence, Meade, Perkins and Ziebach.