South Dakota needs immigrants everywhere, including on its Supreme Court. So says Governor Larry Rhoden, who appointed Latvian immigrant Judge Robert Gusinsky to replace retiring Justice Janine Kern:
Gusinsky was born in Latvia. He emigrated with his parents through Israel and Germany and settled in California, where he became a U.S. citizen. After starting his career as an airline pilot, he enrolled at the University of South Dakota School of Law in 1993.
Gusinsky was a trial lawyer at two Rapid City law firms and served in the U.S. Attorney’s Office. He was appointed a circuit judge in 2013 by then-Gov. Daugaard. Last year, Judge Gusinsky was named presiding judge for the Seventh Circuit by Supreme Court Chief Justice Steven Jensen.
At the time of his appointment to the circuit bench, Gusinsky said, “As an immigrant from a communist country that did not offer its citizens meaningful legal protections, I am especially sensitive to the importance of the rule of law” [Bob Mercer, “Gusinsky Will Be Next S.D. Supreme Court Justice,” KELO-TV, 2025.11.04].
See? Bring in immigrants from countries where the people suffered under authoritarian regimes, and we reinforce our own commitment to the rule of law. Hmm… maybe a couple more years under King Don will foster a generation of Gusinskyite lawyers and other civil servants who recognize the importance of fighting tyranny and defending the Constitution and liberty and justice for all.
Stan Adelstein’s pick for Supreme Court?