---
title: "John K. Konenkamp | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/john-k-konenkamp-5689"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# John K. Konenkamp

Supreme Court of South Dakota · Judge

## Profile

- Court: Supreme Court of South Dakota
- State: South Dakota
- Role: Judge
- Service status: former
- Last verified: 2026-08-22

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Biography

### Professional career

- Retired associate justice of the South Dakota Supreme Court, serving from 1994 to 2014, and is known for his long judicial career in South Dakota’s trial and appellate courts
- Governor Bill Janklow appointed him to the circuit bench in 1984; he became Seventh Circuit presiding judge in 1988

### Education

- Born in Brooklyn and later raised in Macon, Georgia, he obtained a University of Georgia history — B.A. (1967)
- University of South Dakota School of Law

### Additional information

- John K. Konenkamp served on the South Dakota Supreme Court during 1994–2014.
- He was retained by voters in 1998 and 2006.
- Governor Walter Dale Miller appointed him to the Supreme Court in 1994, with retention elections in 1998 and 2006.
- In 1994, Governor Walter Dale Miller appointed Konenkamp to the South Dakota Supreme Court
- His early work included deputy state’s attorney service in Rapid City until 1977 and subsequent private practice.
- He served four years in the United States Navy before earning a University of South Dakota JD in 1974.
- Born October 20, 1944.
- Date of birth: 1944-10-20
- representing the First Supreme Court District.
- Service included the American Judicature Society and South Dakota Equal Justice Commission.
- His life in the Jim Crow South and his military service have been noted as formative experiences
- During his judicial career, Konenkamp contributed to judicial organizations such as the American Judicature Society and South Dakota’s Equal Justice Commission.
- He and his wife also held the role of foster parents for the state Department of Social Services.

## Before you appear

- Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed.
- Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance.
- Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding.

## Courtroom Rules

### electronic devices and media

Scope: courtwide

South Dakota Supreme Court courtroom protocol instructs visitors not to bring cameras or recording equipment into the courtroom.

Evidence excerpt: Do not bring food, drinks, cameras or recording equipment into the courtroom.

[South Dakota Supreme Court Courtroom Protocol](https://ujs.sd.gov/supreme-court/courtroom-protocol/)
Source checked: 2026-07-27


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://ujs.sd.gov/media/ge2bfzs4/supreme-court-photographic-history.pdf)
- [Official roster](https://ujs.sd.gov/media/ge2bfzs4/supreme-court-photographic-history.pdf)
- [Supreme Court of South Dakota current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/5689/john-k-konenkamp/)
- [South Dakota Supreme Court Courtroom Protocol](https://ujs.sd.gov/supreme-court/courtroom-protocol/)
- [South Dakota Supreme Court Courtroom Protocol](https://ujs.sd.gov/supreme-court/courtroom-protocol/)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/5689/john-k-konenkamp/)
- [John Konenkamp - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/John_Konenkamp)
- [Wikidata: John K. Konenkamp](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16106691)
- [South Dakota Supreme Court Courtroom Protocol](https://ujs.sd.gov/supreme-court/courtroom-protocol/)
- [en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_K._Konenkamp)
- [nativeede.wixsite.com](https://nativeede.wixsite.com/judicialvoices/konenkamp)
- [South Dakota Supreme Court Courtroom Protocol](https://ujs.sd.gov/supreme-court/courtroom-protocol/)

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