Judge Portra was sworn in as Circuit Court Judge on August 14, 2006, and will fill the vacancy created by Circuit Judge Larry Lovrien’s retirement. Judge Portra had served as a magistrate judge for the Fifth Circuit since 1999, and prior to that, he worked for the South Dakota Attorney General from 1995-1996 and for the law firm of Richardson, Wyly, Wise, Sauck & Hieb from 1996-1999.

Judge Portra is a 1987 graduate of Aberdeen Central High School and a 1994 graduate of the University of South Dakota School of Law. He and his wife Jamie have two children, Jake and Andie. Judge Portra’s chambers are located at the Brown County Courthouse, and he will be serving Spink and Faulk Counties in addition to handling a case load in Brown County. He may be contacted at PO Box 1087, Aberdeen, SD 57402-1087 or by phone at 605-626-2450.