The U.S. Senate voted Tuesday to confirm Bozeman attorney Katie Lane to a lifetime seat on the U.S. District Court for the District of Montana, filling one of the state’s three federal judgeships. President Donald Trump nominated Lane for the position.

Lane, 34, was backed by both of Montana’s Republican senators, Steve Daines and Tim Sheehy, who issued a joint statement calling her “well-qualified to serve.” The Senate vote fell along party lines.

ABA Raised Concerns

The confirmation drew scrutiny after the American Bar Association rated Lane unqualified for the bench, concluding she lacks the courtroom experience required for the role. Lane held the distinction of being the first nominee of Trump’s second term to receive that rating from the ABA.

The concerns did not move Republican senators from their support, and the chamber proceeded to confirm her over the objection.

What the Position Entails

Federal district judges in Montana handle both criminal and civil proceedings. The appointment is a lifetime position, meaning Lane could shape federal jurisprudence in the state for decades. She joins two other sitting judges on the Montana federal district court.

Montana has become an increasingly active venue for federal litigation, particularly in cases involving public lands, environmental regulation, and tribal law, making appointments to the district court consequential for the state’s legal landscape.