Indianz.Com > News > Native Sun News Today: Native women seek federal judgeship
Three seeking U.S. District judge position including 2 Native attorneys
Former Congresswoman Herseth Sandlin in running
SIOUX FALLS, South Dakota — Two Native American lawyers with impressive resumes are seeking an appointment to the federal bench.
Tracey Zephier and Sarah Collins are vying with former Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth Sandlin for the seat to be vacated by U.S. District Court Judge Jeffrey Viken of Rapid City, who will move to senior status on September 1.
President Joe Biden will make the decision on who will replace Viken. It’s a lifetime appointment and requires the approval of the U.S. Senate.
Biden also will name appointees to several other South Dakota posts, including U.S. attorney, U.S. marshal and two leadership positions in U.S. Department of Agriculture posts. Those jobs regularly turn over when there is a change in presidential administrations.
The federal judge post, however, only opens when a judge retires or dies. South Dakota has five federal judges, all of whom were appointed by either President Bill Clinton or President Barack Obama.
Zephier, a Sturgis resident, is the attorney general of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. She said she is “indeed interested in the position.” Zephier was the executive director of the South Dakota Equal Justice Commission, which was created by the South Dakota Supreme Court. Zephier, known then as Tracey Fischer, was a law clerk for South Dakota Chief Justice Robert A. Miller in 2019-20. She earned undergraduate degrees in business management and accounting from National University in Rapid City and received her law degree from Yale University in 1999. Zephier has worked in private business, as a banker and in economic development, and taught at the University of South Dakota School of Law and Oglala Lakota College. Zephier’s heritage reflects South Dakota, since her mother was Lakota Sioux while her father was of Norwegian ancestry.Board member Tracy Zephier inspiring @BushFoundation staff this morning. What can you do today to share your story and inspire others? pic.twitter.com/2ogEomwtwm
— Anita Patel (@patelan) November 14, 2018
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