Montana Native Katie Lane Is Excellent Choice for Federal Judge

Montana deserves a federal judge who not only understands the law, but understands Montana. President Trump’s nomination of Katie Lane to serve as the Treasure State’s next federal judge achieves both of these goals.

Katie built her career on a sincere commitment to an original interpretation of the U.S. Constitution and individual liberty. I am confident that her well-rounded professional experience coupled with her deep Montana ties makes her an excellent candidate for this important role, and she has my wholehearted support.

Katie grew up in the Gallatin Valley. She attended Emily Dickinson Elementary, Heritage Christian School, and Bozeman High School, and actively participated in school clubs. Her family spent summers camping and hiking across Montana and winters skiing at Bridger Bowl and Big Sky, all of which instilled for her a love of the Treasure State and the values that make Montana the Last Best Place.

Her professional path reflects both excellence and service. After graduating magna cum laude from Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University, Katie clerked at both the trial and appellate levels of the federal judiciary. She served Judge Thomas A. Varlan on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee and Chief Judge Timothy M. Tymkovich on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. These experiences gave her critical experience in the federal judiciary.

Katie also understands Montana-specific laws and issues, serving as Deputy Solicitor General under Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen from 2021 to 2023. She litigated cases in both state and federal courts on issues important to Montanans, including defending the Second Amendment, multiple land use and grazing rights cases, as well as defending Montana’s coal industry.

Lane now serves as Senior Counsel at the Republican National Committee, managing litigation in state and federal courts nationwide.

Federal judges play a critical role in our government. It’s essential that we pick servant leaders who are committed to America’s founding ideals and protecting the role of the judiciary. I am convinced that Katie is the top choice to serve as Montana’s next federal judge.

I am encouraged by Senators Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy’s support for her nomination and encourage widespread support for her nomination from all of us here in Montana. Federal judges must apply the law faithfully and approach every case with fairness and discipline. Katie’s record, rooted in Montana and grounded in constitutional principle, demonstrates that she will do exactly that and is more than qualified for this important lifetime appointment.

By: Mark Baker

Mark Baker is the Montana Chair of the Republican National Lawyers Association. He has been a licensed attorney in Montana for 30 years and previously served as Counsel in the United States Senate.