Jeffrey L. Viken Explained

Jeffrey Lynn Viken
Office:Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the District of South Dakota
Term Start:October 1, 2021
Term End:October 1, 2023
Office1:Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the District of South Dakota
Term Start1:January 1, 2013
Term End1:December 31, 2019
Predecessor1:Karen Schreier
Successor1:Roberto Lange
Office2:Judge of the United States District Court for the District of South Dakota
Term Start2:September 30, 2009
Term End2:October 1, 2021
Appointer2:Barack Obama
Predecessor2:Lawrence L. Piersol
Successor2:Camela C. Theeler
Birth Name:Jeffrey Lynn Viken
Birth Date:8 August 1952
Birth Place:Huron, South Dakota, U.S.
Education:University of South Dakota (BA, JD)

Jeffrey Lynn Viken (born August 8, 1952) is a former United States district judge of the United States District Court for the District of South Dakota.

Early life and education

Born in Huron, South Dakota, Viken earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of South Dakota in May 1974 and a Juris Doctor from the University of South Dakota School of Law in May 1977. He did not take the bar exam as he was admitted to the South Dakota bar under diploma privilege.

Career

From 1977 to 1981, Viken served as an assistant United States attorney for the District of South Dakota and in 1981 became the Acting United States Attorney for the District of South Dakota.[1] From 1981 to 1982, Viken was a partner in the Rapid City, South Dakota law firm of Finch, Viken & Viken, and then from 1981 to 1992, Viken was a partner in the Rapid City firm of Finch, Viken, Viken & Pechota. From 1992 to 2003, Viken served as a partner in the Rapid City law firm of Viken, Viken, Pechota, Leach & Dewell, LLP.[1]

In 2003, Viken was appointed the federal public defender for the District of South Dakota by the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.[1] In 2005, the Eighth Circuit appointed Viken the Federal Public Defender for the District of North Dakota as well to lead a combined-district organization for both North Dakota and South Dakota.

Federal judicial service

On June 25, 2009, President Barack Obama nominated Viken to a vacant seat on the United States District Court for the District of South Dakota that was created when Judge Lawrence L. Piersol assumed senior status.[1] The United States Senate confirmed Viken on September 29, 2009 by a 99–0 vote.[2] He received his commission the following day. He served as chief judge from 2013 to 2019. He assumed senior status on October 1, 2021. He retired from active service on October 1, 2023.

Notes and References

  1. https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the_press_office/President-Obama-Nominates-Charlene-Honeywell-and-Jeffrey-Viken-to-Serve-on-the-Federal-District-Court-Bench/ President Obama Nominates Charlene Honeywell and Jeffrey Viken to Serve on the Federal District Court Bench
  2. Web site: On the Nomination (Confirmation Jeffrey L. Viken, of South Dakota, to be U.S. District Judge) . US Senate . 7 January 2022.