Chief Justice Steven R. Jensen Appoints Judge Michelle K. Comer as Presiding Judge of Fourth Judicial Circuit

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: May 12, 2026
Contact: Alisa Bousa, Public Information Officer, via email or 605.773.2031

Chief Justice Steven R. Jensen Appoints Judge Michelle K. Comer as Presiding Judge of Fourth Judicial Circuit

PIERRE, S.D.—South Dakota Supreme Court Chief Justice Steven R. Jensen has appointed the Honorable Michelle K. Comer as presiding judge for the Fourth Judicial Circuit. Judge Comer replaces the current Fourth Judicial Circuit presiding judge, the Honorable Michael W. Day, who is retiring effective June 8, 2026. Judge Comer will begin her duties as presiding judge on June 9, 2026.

South Dakota’s Unified Judicial System is divided into seven judicial circuits. The Fourth Judicial Circuit is comprised of Butte, Corson, Dewey, Harding, Lawrence, Meade, Perkins and Ziebach counties. 

Judge Comer graduated from Lead High School in 1986. She received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Pepperdine University in Malibu, Calif., in 1990, and a juris doctor from the University of South Dakota School of Law, Vermillion, in 1994. 

Judge Comer has served as a circuit court judge for the Fourth Judicial Circuit since 2015. Before her election as a circuit judge, she was a magistrate judge and drug court judge for the Fourth Judicial Circuit from 2006 to 2015. 

Prior to taking the bench, Judge Comer was sole practitioner/owner of Percy Law from 2004 to 2006, and a partner at the firm Fuller, Tellinghuisen, Gordon and Eckrich, where she worked from 1996 to 2004. Judge Comer began her legal career as a law clerk for the Seventh Judicial Circuit in 1994 and deputy state’s attorney for Lawrence County in 1995.

“Judge Michelle Comer has demonstrated exceptional leadership, sound judgment and a deep commitment to serving the people of South Dakota throughout her judicial career,” said Chief Justice Steven R. Jensen. “Her extensive experience as both a circuit and magistrate judge, along with her longstanding service to the Fourth Judicial Circuit, make her well qualified to serve as presiding judge. I am confident she will continue to lead the circuit with integrity, professionalism and dedication to the fair administration of justice.”

“Judge Michael Day has provided decades of distinguished service to the citizens of South Dakota and to the Unified Judicial System,” said Chief Justice Jensen. “As presiding judge, he has been a thoughtful leader and trusted colleague whose commitment to justice and public service has strengthened the Fourth Judicial Circuit. We are grateful for his many contributions and wish him the very best in his retirement.”

Pursuant to Article V, Section 11 of the South Dakota Constitution, presiding judges are appointed by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. The presiding judge of each judicial circuit has administrative supervision and authority over the operations of the courts within the circuit. In addition to their administrative responsibilities, presiding judges also maintain full caseloads. 

View a photo of Judge Michelle K. Comer.

Learn more about South Dakota Unified Judicial System.

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About South Dakota Courts: The Unified Judicial System (UJS) consists of the Supreme Court, Circuit Courts and State Court Administrator’s Office. The Supreme Court is the state’s highest court and final decision maker on South Dakota law. The Circuit Courts are the state’s trial courts where criminal proceedings and civil litigation are handled. The State Court Administrator’s Office provides centralized administrative assistance and support services for the South Dakota judiciary. Learn more about UJS.