ABA Says Trump Nominee “Not Qualified” For Montana Federal Court

Montana Hits The National Headlines

It’s not every day Montana ends up in the national headlines, but Reuters is reporting on a story that raises a pretty interesting question.

What actually qualifies someone to be a federal judge?

Katie Lane’s Nomination And ABA Rating

Katie Lane, who’s been nominated for a federal court seat here in Montana, was recently rated “not qualified” by the American Bar Association.

She’s the first nominee of President Trump’s second term to get that rating, which naturally gets people asking what that really means.

The ABA looks at things like legal experience, how long someone has been practicing, and how much time they’ve spent in the courtroom. In this case, they pointed to fewer years of experience than they usually like to see, along with limited trial work.

What The “Not Qualified” Rating Really Means

That might sound like a big deal, and it does carry some weight, but it’s just one part of the overall process. It also doesn’t automatically shut the door on her nomination.

The ABA isn’t saying she lacks ability or talent. Their concern is more about experience, especially for a position that can be a lifetime appointment. Typically, they look for around 12 years of experience, and she currently has about 9.

Now it comes down to how much weight the Senate Judiciary Committee and other senators decide to give that rating when it’s time to vote.