Third Circuit Judges


Presiding Judge David R. Gienapp

Judge Gienapp joined us in 2002 when he was appointed as a circuit court judge.  Effective January 1, 2007, he became Presiding Judge of the circuit, succeeding Rodney J. Steele, who retired.  Judge Gienapp holds a B.A. degree from the University of South Dakota, and a J.D. from the University of Wyoming.

His broad background includes: Clerk for South Dakota Supreme Court; Assistant South Dakota Attorney General; Assistant U.S. Attorney;  and private practice at Arneson, Issenhuth & Gienapp.  He has served as Chair of the Judicial Qualifications Commission; President of the South Dakota Trial Lawyers Association; President of the South Dakota Bar Association; member of State Bar of South Dakota; American Bar Association; American Board of Criminal Lawyers; American Board of Trial Advocates; American College of Trial Lawyers; International Academy of Trial Lawyers, and International Society of Barristers.  He has also been on the South Dakota State Board of Education and South Dakota Board of Regents.

His chambers are in Brookings, and his primary caseload includes the counties of Brookings, Jerauld, Sanborn, and Miner.  And like all judges in the circuit, he continues to hear cases in all counties as assigned.  His address is 314 6th Avenue, Brookings, South Dakota 57006.  Judge Gienapp’s phone number is 605-688-5705; fax 605-688-4838.  He also can be reached via email at david.gienapp@ujs.state.sd.us

He and his wife Nancy have two grown children: Ryan Gienapp and Tracy Crum.

Judge Tim D. Tucker

Judge Tucker is the 3rd Circuit’s longest-serving judge, having been appointed to the bench in 1987.  He was the presiding judge of the former Fourth Circuit (prior to realignment of circuits in 2000).  A native of Rapid City, he received his bachelor’s degree and his juris doctor from the University of South Dakota.  He also received his Master of Judicial Studies from the University of Nevada, Reno.  He currently serves as Chair of the Judicial Training Committee and is a past president of the State Judges’ Association.  He has previously served on the Judicial Qualifications Commission, South Dakota Council on Domestic Violence, South Dakota Center for Law and Civic Education; and Judicial Ethics Committee. 

Before his appointment to the bench, Judge Tucker was a partner in the law firm of Morgan, Fuller, Theeler and Cogley of Mitchell. 

His chambers are located at the Lake County Courthouse in Madison.  He can be reached at P.O. Box 507, Madison, South Dakota 57042, or by phone at 605-256-5285, fax 605-256-5012.  His primary judicial workload is comprised of Lake and Moody Counties, although like all judges in the circuit, he continues to hear cases in all counties as assigned.


Judge Robert L. Timm

Judge Timm also has been with the Third Circuit since 1987.  He graduated from the University of Southern California (B.A.) and USD (J.D.) and brought a variety of legal experiences with him to the bench: partner in Mueller and Timm; Assistant Attorney General, Earth Resources Division; Chief Deputy Attorney General; Counsel to the South Dakota Water Rights Commission; Counsel to the South Division of Banking and Finance; and Vice President,  Trust Officer and General Counsel of Farmers and Merchants Bank and Trust of Watertown.  He currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Watertown Tennis Association and the Board of Trustees of the Watertown Boys and Girls Club.

Judge Timm’s chambers are in Watertown at the Codington County Courthouse.  He can be reached at 14 1st Ave, S.E., Watertown, South Dakota 57201.  The phone number is 605-882-5110; fax 605-882-5106.  His primary judicial assignments are in the northeast sector of the circuit, including Codington, Clark, and Grant Counties, but like all judges in the circuit, he continues to hear cases in all counties as assigned.

Judge Jon R. Erickson

Judge Erickson has been on the bench in the Third Circuit from 1988-present.  He serves on the Judicial Qualifications Commission, and is currently its secretary.   He has previously been involved in the South Dakota Judges’ Association (past president 1996-1997), Ethic Committee (1991-1996), and UJS Planning Council (1996-1998).  His legal experience includes being an associate in Chamberlain at Andera, Margadant and Erickson; Brule Co. Deputy State’s Attorney; Assistant Attorney General; Assistant U.S. Attorney; and member SD Board of Pardons and Paroles.

Judge Erickson received both is B.A. and J.D. from the University of South Dakota. 

Chambers for Judge Erickson are in Huron at the Beadle County Courthouse.  The address there is 450 3rd St. S.W., Huron, South Dakota 57350.  The phone number is 605-353-7173; fax 605-353-7335.  The primary counties that are served by Judge Erickson are in the western end of the circuit, including Beadle, Kingsbury, and Hand Counties. However, like all judges in the circuit, he continues to hear cases in all counties as assigned. 


Judge Ronald K. Roehr

Judge Roehr has been a circuit court judge in the Third Circuit since 1994.  He was in private practice in Milbank prior to that time, since 1974.  He also served as the Grant County State’s Attorney from 1977-1984.  Both his B.A. and J.D. were received from the University of South Dakota.

His chambers are in Watertown at the Codington County Courthouse.  He can be reached at 14 1st Ave, S.E., Watertown, South Dakota 57201.  The phone number is 605-882-5110; fax 605-882-5106.  His primary judicial assignments are in the northeast sector of the circuit, including Codington, Deuel, and Grant Counties, but like all judges in the circuit, he continues to hear cases in all counties as assigned.

Judge Vincent A. Foley

Vince Foley, most recently the Codington County State’s Attorney, was elected in November 2006 as the newest judge in the Third Circuit. He took office on January 2, 2007, succeeding Rodney J. Steele, who retired December 31, 2006.  Judge Foley will have his chambers in the Brookings County Courthouse in Brookings, and will have as his primary caseload the counties of Brookings, Beadle and Hamlin.  Like all judges in the circuit, he will be available to hear cases in all 14 counties of the circuit as assigned.  His address is 314 6th Avenue, Suite 6, Brookings, South Dakota 57006.  The phone number is 605-688-4206; fax 605-688-4838. 

Judge Foley is a 1987 graduate of the University of South Dakota School of Law.  He and his wife Patty have five children.

Magistrate Judge LeeAnn Pierce

Judge Pierce has served as the magistrate judge for the Third Circuit since 1991.  She is a graduate of South Dakota State University, where she received a bachelor’s degree and then, subsequently, earned a master’s degree in counseling, before receiving her Juris Doctor from the University of South Dakota.  Prior to attending law school she was a counselor at South Dakota State University from 1978 until 1985.  She has been a partner in the Fite & Pierce Law Office, served as child support referee for the Third Judicial Circuit, and served as a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Trustee in federal court.  She is a member of the South Dakota State Bar Association where she has served on numerous committees.  She has also been a member of the UJS Training and Judicial Evaluation Committees.

 

Judge Pierce has been active in her home community of Brookings, where she has been involved with the Brookings Hospital Board of Trustees, East Central Mental Health & Chemical Dependency Center Board of Directors, Lake Campbell Improvement Association, and various other service organizations. 

 

Her office is in Brookings.  She is responsible for magistrate court in Brookings, Beadle, Codington, Moody and Lake Counties.  She receives mail and messages  at each of the clerks’ offices in these 5 counties.