Noem Appoints Supreme Court Justice

Pat Powers

Noem Appoints Supreme Court Justice

PIERRE, S.D. –  Governor Kristi Noem today appointed Patricia Jean DeVaney to serve on the South Dakota Supreme Court. The appointment fills the open vacancy in the 3rd Supreme Court District created by the Late Justice Steven Zinter.

“Patricia has 25 years of diverse experience in the courtroom handling all types of cases from both sides of the bench, first as a trial and appellate lawyer, and most recently as a circuit court judge,” said Noem. “She has a deep understanding of the law and its impact on people. Her work ethic and passion for public service was clear in her interview. I’m confident she will be a strong addition to our state’s highest court.”

“It is a great honor and privilege to spend the rest of my legal career serving South Dakota as a justice of the Supreme Court,” said DeVaney. “I started my legal career as a young lawyer many years ago in the State Capitol building, and I am honored to return to the Capitol to serve in this new capacity as a justice. I am very grateful that Governor Noem has entrusted me with this opportunity.”

DeVaney graduated from Polo High School. She graduated summa cum laude from the University of South Dakota in 1990, and later earned her law degree from the University of Virginia. She began her career in the Attorney General’s Office in 1993, where she worked as an appellate and trial lawyer until 2012. Governor Dennis Daugaard appointed her to South Dakota’s Sixth Judicial Circuit, where she has served since 2012.

The counties of Brookings, Kingsbury, Moody, Miner, Sanborn, Beadle, Jerauld, Hand, Hyde, Hughes, Sully, Stanley, Brule, Buffalo, Jones, Jackson, Lyman, Mellette, Todd, Tripp, Bennett, Oglala Lakota, Fall River, Lake, and Haakon constitute the 3rd Supreme Court District.

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10 thoughts on “Noem Appoints Supreme Court Justice”

  1. you evidently do not know her. She is far from crony establishment. She is a smart and hard-working attorney and not someone who seeks attention via political office or political contribution. Just the type of person we want on the Supreme Court.

    1. Propaganda-driven is a reach, biased and at times restrictive, yes. Public school teachers shut down students’ questions and thoughts all the time, you just have to be aware and move on.

  2. Keep it on topic, please, or the heavy hand of the editor will be exercised. And the same goes for blatantly false accusations.

  3. I’ve argued before her. Well prepared. Solid pick.
    I know nothing of her politics. No sign of it in her questions
    Exactly like it’s supposed to be, for those of us that love the Constitution

  4. Hurray for the Polo Bears ! Probably our first and last Polo grad on the high court !

      2. NW of Miller, S of Faulkton, nearest town – Orient. High School closed over 20 years ago.

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