John K. Konenkamp
Encyclopedia
John K. Konenkamp is an associate justice
of the South Dakota Supreme Court
.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., as the first of eight children born to Margaret and John Konenkamp. John Konenkamp has 6 brothers and 1 sister. He attended private Catholic School throughout the duration of his childhood and adolescence. In his teen years, his family moved to Macon, GA, where his father was employed at Robins Air Force base. Konenkamp graduated from the University of Georgia in 1967, served in the United States Navy
and following that, attended the University of South Dakota. He graduated with a Juris Doctor
degree in 1974. He served as Deputy State's Attorney
for Rapid City, South Dakota
through 1977, then switched to private practice. Konenkamp was active in the American Legion
and the state Bar association
and has also served as a foster parent for the state Department of Social Services. In 1984 South Dakota Governor Bill Janklow
appointed Konenkamp a circuit court
judge
. He became presiding judge of the seventh circuit in 1988. In 1994 Governor Walter Dale Miller
appointed him to the state supreme court, he survived retention elections in 1998 and again in 2006.
Associate Justice
Associate Justice or Associate Judge is the title for a member of a judicial panel who is not the Chief Justice in some jurisdictions. The title "Associate Justice" is used for members of the United States Supreme Court and some state supreme courts, and for some other courts in Commonwealth...
of the South Dakota Supreme Court
South Dakota Supreme Court
The South Dakota Supreme Court is the highest court in the state of South Dakota. It is composed of a chief justice and four associate justices appointed by governor and selected from five different appointment districts. Justices face a nonpolitical retention election three years after appointment...
.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., as the first of eight children born to Margaret and John Konenkamp. John Konenkamp has 6 brothers and 1 sister. He attended private Catholic School throughout the duration of his childhood and adolescence. In his teen years, his family moved to Macon, GA, where his father was employed at Robins Air Force base. Konenkamp graduated from the University of Georgia in 1967, served in the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
and following that, attended the University of South Dakota. He graduated with a Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
degree in 1974. He served as Deputy State's Attorney
State's Attorney
In the United States, the State's Attorney is, most commonly, an elected official who represents the State in criminal prosecutions and is often the chief law enforcement officer of their respective county, circuit...
for Rapid City, South Dakota
Rapid City, South Dakota
Rapid City is the second-largest city in the U.S. state of South Dakota, and the county seat of Pennington County. Named after Rapid Creek on which the city is established, it is set against the eastern slope of the Black Hills mountain range. The population was 67,956 as of the 2010 Census. Rapid...
through 1977, then switched to private practice. Konenkamp was active in the American Legion
American Legion
The American Legion is a mutual-aid organization of veterans of the United States armed forces chartered by the United States Congress. It was founded to benefit those veterans who served during a wartime period as defined by Congress...
and the state Bar association
Bar association
A bar association is a professional body of lawyers. Some bar associations are responsible for the regulation of the legal profession in their jurisdiction; others are professional organizations dedicated to serving their members; in many cases, they are both...
and has also served as a foster parent for the state Department of Social Services. In 1984 South Dakota Governor Bill Janklow
Bill Janklow
William John "Bill" Janklow served as the 25th Attorney General of South Dakota, before being elected as South Dakota's 27th and 30th Governor, as well as to the United States House of Representatives where he served for a little more than a year. A Republican, Janklow's career has continued as a...
appointed Konenkamp a circuit court
Circuit court
Circuit court is the name of court systems in several common law jurisdictions.-History:King Henry II instituted the custom of having judges ride around the countryside each year to hear appeals, rather than forcing everyone to bring their appeals to London...
judge
Judge
A judge is a person who presides over court proceedings, either alone or as part of a panel of judges. The powers, functions, method of appointment, discipline, and training of judges vary widely across different jurisdictions. The judge is supposed to conduct the trial impartially and in an open...
. He became presiding judge of the seventh circuit in 1988. In 1994 Governor Walter Dale Miller
Walter Dale Miller
Walter Dale "Walt" Miller is an American politician with the Republican Party. He served as 29th Governor of South Dakota from 1993 to 1995, having succeeded to office upon the death of George S...
appointed him to the state supreme court, he survived retention elections in 1998 and again in 2006.