Justice Robert Gusinsky

Justice Robert Gusinsky was appointed to the South Dakota Supreme Court by Gov. Larry Rhoden and sworn in on Dec. 8, 2025. Justice Gusinsky represents the Supreme Court First District, which consists of Custer, Meade, Lawrence and Pennington counties. 

Justice Gusinsky was born in Latvia. After emigrating with his parents through Israel and Germany, he settled in California and became a U.S. citizen. Justice Gusinsky received his undergraduate degree in aeronautical engineering in 1990 from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. He worked as a commercial airline pilot and flight instructor before changing course to pursue law. Justice Gusinsky received his juris doctor from the University of South Dakota School of Law in 1996. 

Following graduation, Justice Gusinsky practiced as a trial lawyer at Lynn, Jackson, Shultz & Lebrun and later at Clayborne, Loos, Strommen & Gusinsky in Rapid City. He next served as an assistant U.S. Attorney with the U.S. Attorney's Office from 2007 to 2013, when Gov. Dennis Daugaard appointed him a circuit court judge for the Seventh Judicial Circuit. Justice Gusinsky became presiding judge of the Seventh Judicial Circuit in 2024.