Talk Justice: Episode 121
January 27, 2026
South Dakota Chief Justice on State Courts’ Challenges, Public Service and Rural Access
Chief Justice Steven R. Jensen appears on Talk Justice with LSC President Ron Flagg. They speak about his path to South Dakota’s Supreme Court, the national Conference of Chief Justices, efforts to promote public interest law, access to justice initiatives and the challenges facing state courts. Jensen, who is currently serving his second term as chief justice, was first appointed to the South Dakota Supreme Court in 2017.
Listen and Share
Subscribe
Featured Guest
Chief Justice Steven R. Jensen
Chief Justice Steven R. Jensen was appointed to the South Dakota Supreme Court in 2017 and has served as Chief Justice since 2021. He received his undergraduate degree from Bethel University in St. Paul, Minn., in 1985 and his juris doctor from the University of South Dakota School of Law in 1988. He clerked for the South Dakota Supreme Court before entering private law practice in 1989. He served as a circuit court judge from 2003 until his appointment to the South Dakota Supreme Court.
Host
Ronald S. Flagg
Ronald S. Flagg was appointed President of the Legal Services Corporation effective February 20, 2020, and previously served as Vice President for Legal Affairs and General Counsel since 2013. He previously practiced commercial and administrative litigation at Sidley Austin LLP for 31 years, 27 years as a partner. He chaired the firm’s Committee on Pro Bono and Public Interest Law for more than a decade.