M. John Kane IV

John Kane
Chief Justice of the Oklahoma Supreme Court
In office
January 1, 2023 – January 1, 2025
Preceded byRichard Darby
Succeeded byDustin Rowe
Justice of the Oklahoma Supreme Court
Assumed office
September 17, 2019
Appointed byKevin Stitt
Preceded byJohn F. Reif
Personal details
Born
SpouseCyndi Kane
RelativesMatthew John Kane (great-grandfather)
EducationOklahoma State University, Stillwater (BS)
University of Oklahoma (JD)

Matthew John Kane IV is an American attorney serving as a justice of the Oklahoma Supreme Court. Kane was appointed the state's highest court by Governor Kevin Stitt in 2019. He served a two year term as chief justice from January 1, 2023 to January 1, 2025.[1] He had previously served as the vice chief justice from 2021 to 2022.

Education

Chief Justice Kane graduated from Pawhuska High School. Kane earned a Bachelor of Science from Oklahoma State University where he was recognized as one of the Top Ten Graduating Senior Men. Chief Justice Kane was awarded his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Oklahoma College of Law.[2]

Career

Kane began his career practicing law with his father and grandfather's law firm, Kane, Kane & Kane Law Offices, P.C. in Pawhuska, Oklahoma. He served as an assistant district attorney and later as an administrative law judge for the Oklahoma Department of Human Services Child Support Division.[3]

State judicial service

From 2005 to 2019, Kane served as district judge for the 10th Judicial District in Osage County.[3] He served as the Presiding Judge for Northeast Oklahoma, and as the Presiding Judge for the Court on the Oklahoma Judiciary at various times.

On September 17, 2019, Governor Kevin Stitt announced the appointment of Kane to the Oklahoma Supreme Court to the seat vacated by Justice John F. Reif.[3] He began a term as Vice Chief Justice on January 1, 2021.[4] Kane served as Chief Justice of the Oklahoma Supreme Court for 2023-2024.

Personal life

Kane is the great-grandson of Matthew John Kane, a member of Oklahoma's first Supreme Court.[5] He is married to Cyndi "Hyacinth" Kane, author, entrepreneur and friend of Ree Drummond.[6]

References

  1. ^ "Supreme Court elects Chief Justice and Vice-Chief Justice". December 17, 2020.
  2. ^ "M. John Kane, IV Judge Profile on Martindale.com". www.martindale.com. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  3. ^ a b c Raache, Hicham (September 17, 2019). "Osage County judge appointed to Oklahoma Supreme Court". KFOR.com. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
  4. ^ "Leadership Changes for State's Highest Courts". Oklahoma Bar Association. January 5, 2021. Retrieved August 15, 2021.
  5. ^ Smith, Robert. "Osage County thanks Kane for service". Bartlesville Examiner-Enterprise.
  6. ^ "Cyndi Kane". HarperCollins. Retrieved March 29, 2022.