M. John Kane IV

John Kane
Chief Justice of the Oklahoma Supreme Court
In office January 1, 2023 – January 1, 2025
Preceded by	Richard Darby
Succeeded by	Dustin Rowe
Justice of the Oklahoma Supreme Court
Incumbent
Assumed office September 17, 2019
Appointed by	Kevin Stitt
Preceded by	John F. Reif
Personal details
Born	Pawhuska, Oklahoma, U.S.
Spouse	Cyndi Kane
Relatives	Matthew John Kane (great-grandfather)
Education	Oklahoma 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 in 1984, 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 in 1987.[2]

Career

Kane began practicing law in 1987 at his father and grandfather's law firm, Kane, Kane & Kane Law Offices, P.C. in Pawhuska, Oklahoma. From 1987 to 1989, he served as an assistant district attorney and from 1999 to 2005, he served 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]

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]

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. 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.

External links

• Governor Stitt appoints Judge Kane to Supreme Court of Oklahoma, Office of Governor Kevin Stitt

Legal offices
Preceded by John F. Reif	Justice of the Oklahoma Supreme Court 2019–present	Incumbent
Preceded by Richard Darby	Chief Justice of the Oklahoma Supreme Court 2023–2025	Succeeded by Dustin Rowe