U.S. District Judge Kathleen S. Lane was formally recognized Friday, Oct. 30, during an investiture ceremony at the James F. Battin United States Courthouse in Billings, marking her appointment to the federal bench in Montana.
Lane, who was nominated by President Donald Trump and confirmed by the U.S. Senate earlier this year, was honored during a 3 p.m. ceremony in the courthouse’s Snowy Mountains Courtroom.
Chief U.S. District Judge Brian Morris presided over the ceremony. The program featured the administration of the judicial oath by U.S. District Judge Thomas A. Varlan of the Eastern District of Tennessee, for whom Lane previously clerked.
Remarks were scheduled from Judge Timothy M. Tymkovich of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit and attorney Tom McCarthy of Consovoy McCarthy PLLC, reflecting connections from Lane’s legal career.
The program included the national anthem performed by Lindsey Willingham and an invocation by Father Steve Zabrocki of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church. Lane was scheduled to give remarks after the oath, followed by a reception on the fourth floor of the courthouse.
President Trump nominated Lane to the U.S. District Court for the District of Montana on March 2, 2026, for the seat previously held by Judge Susan P. Watters. The Senate confirmed her June 2 by a vote of 52-46.
Lane received her commission June 18 and began serving as a federal district judge with chambers in Billings. The October investiture was a ceremonial recognition, not the date she first assumed judicial authority.
Before joining the bench, Lane worked in the Montana Attorney General’s Office from 2021 to 2023, including as deputy solicitor general. She later served in private legal practice and as senior litigation counsel for the Republican National Committee.
She earned a bachelor’s degree from Furman University and a law degree from George Mason University’s Antonin Scalia Law School. Her experience includes federal judicial clerkships, appellate litigation and government legal work.
An investiture is a longstanding tradition recognizing a newly appointed judge’s responsibilities under the Constitution. Federal district judges are appointed by the president, confirmed by the Senate and hold their positions during good behavior.
