Congratulations to Katie Smithgall Lane (JWI ‘21) on her confirmation in June to a federal judgeship on the United States District Court for the District of Montana! JWI could not be more thrilled to honor her for this achievement.

President Trump, in a post on Truth Social announcing the nomination, praised Katie as “highly qualified and respected” and someone who “will boldly defend our Constitution.” Her impressive biography is detailed below.

One of our finest fellows, Katie is our third alumni to be confirmed for a federal judgeship, following Jordan Pratt '14 and Zachary Bluestone '17. Having been steeped in the richness of the natural law tradition through her time as a James Wilson Fellow, we have full confidence that she will carry forward a rigorous and faithful approach in her judgeship. JWI remains committed to continuing to form lawyers like Katie.

Katie Smithgall Lane (JWI ‘21) was Senior Counsel for the Republican National Committee and an attorney at Consovoy McCarthy before she was confirmed to the federal bench. She was also an Assistant Solicitor General for the State of Montana and previously worked as an associate at Jones Day in Washington, D.C. Katie received her J.D. from the Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University, where she served as Editor-in-Chief of the George Mason Law Review. After graduating law school, Katie clerked for Judge Thomas A. Varlan on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee and Chief Judge Timothy T. Tymkovich on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. Katie holds a B.A. in Economics and Communication Studies from Furman University.

Through our winter and summer fellowships, as well as our senior seminars for judges in their late careers, we place a high value on continuing to educate both emerging and seasoned practitioners of the law. Please join us in wishing her Godspeed in her future vocation!