Katie Lane, an attorney from Bozeman, has been nominated to the U.S. District Court by President Donald Trump, marking the first judicial nominee of Trump’s second term deemed unqualified by the American Bar Association (ABA). The ABA announced its findings on Wednesday, notifying Senate Judiciary Committee leaders that Lane lacks the necessary courtroom experience. U.S. District courts function primarily as trial courts, and if confirmed, Lane would take over for Judge Susan Watters, who plans to assume senior status this summer.
Pamela J. Roberts, chair of the ABA Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary, expressed concerns in a letter to the Senate, stating, “Ms. Lane has less than eight years of experience in the trial courts and less than seven years as a litigator.” Despite never trying a case as lead counsel, Lane’s trial experience includes a brief cross-examination as fourth-chair counsel and leading just one deposition.
The ABA’s evaluation is based on feedback from about 200 members of the bench and bar, though a minority believed Lane to be qualified. The letter to Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Charles Grassley noted Lane’s commendable legal experience but highlighted her shortfall from the recommended 12 years of practice. The ABA’s evaluation of Trump’s nominees has declined in frequency, partly to avoid diminishing its influence after disapproving of several during Trump’s first term.
A White House spokesperson dismissed the ABA ratings as “useless and partisan” when questioned about Lane’s evaluation. Despite the assessment, Montana U.S. Sen. Steve Daines expressed confidence in her confirmation, describing Lane as “exceedingly qualified and capable,” and praised her commitment to fairness and integrity.
Lane’s career includes political work, having been involved in Daines’ campaigns and interning during his House tenure. She also worked under MTGOP Chair Art Wittich and Attorney General Austin Knudsen at the Montana Department of Justice. Notably, she has been part of the Republican National Committee. Carl Tobias, a judicial nominations expert, mentioned that Lane’s youth could lead her to become chief justice of the Montana district if confirmed.
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