First All-Female Judicial Circuit in South Dakota | Pierre News

South Dakota just made legal history with its first all-female judicial circuit — and it’s not just a headline, it’s a movement. Five trailblazing women — Presiding Judge Christina Klinger, Circuit Judges Bridget Mayer, Margo Northrup, and Bobbi Rank, plus Magistrate Judge Tara Adamski — now serve thirteen central counties, earning the 2026 Women in Law Attorney of the Year Award for leadership, mentorship, and public service. Judge Rank, who clerked for this circuit decades ago and is now its longest-serving member, credits her success to mentorship and resilience — proving that a demanding legal career and family life can coexist. Their historic appointments in 2019 followed retirements, and while Governor Noem and the Supreme Court played key roles, these judges honor the women who came before them. The real win? Inspiring the next generation to dream bigger — because true success isn’t about breaking records, it’s about building pathways. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/05f2fcfa7b48c231