Investiture to be Held for Supreme Court Justice Robert Gusinsky

PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: Dec. 29, 2025
Contact: Alisa Bousa, Public Information Officer, Alisa.Bousa@ujs.state.sd.us or 605.773.2031

Investiture to be Held for Supreme Court Justice Robert Gusinsky

PIERRE, S.D.—A ceremonial investiture will be held for South Dakota Supreme Court Justice Robert Gusinsky on Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, in Rapid City. Justice Gusinsky fills a vacancy on the Supreme Court with the retirement of Justice Janine M. Kern. 

Justice Gusinsky’s formal swearing-in ceremony will be held at 4 p.m. MST in the Pennington County Courthouse Rotunda, 315 St. Joseph St., in Rapid City. 

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. 

Justice Gusinsky was appointed to the South Dakota Supreme Court by Gov. Larry Rhoden and began his duties on Dec. 9, 2025. He represents the Supreme Court First District, which consists of Custer, Meade, Lawrence and Pennington counties.

View a photo of Justice Gusinsky here. 

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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 at https://ujs.sd.gov.