Washington, DC — The National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) announced today that it has selected veteran state litigator Brian Kane as the organization’s new executive director. Kane was unanimously chosen after a national search by a bipartisan special committee consisting of 10 state attorneys general, five Republicans and five Democrats, who are NAAG members.
When he takes over as executive director on September 19, Kane will be responsible for facilitating member relations, leading NAAG staff in day-to-day operations, and coordinating NAAG’s numerous policy centers and training programs.
Kane joins NAAG from the Idaho Attorney General’s Office (OAG), where he has served as chief deputy attorney general, acting as a liaison between the attorney general and state, local, and federal governments. He has been with the Idaho Attorney General’s Office since 2001 and previously held three other positions within the office. Prior to joining the Idaho OAG, Kane was an associate at Hall Farley Oberrecht & Blanton.
Kane received his bachelor’s degree in Political Science and History from the University of Idaho and his legal degree from Lewis and Clark Law School. He also served in the United States Army for 4 years, the bulk of which was with the 1st Cavalry Division in Fort Hood, Texas.
“NAAG is an organization near and dear to my heart and I’m thrilled with Brian’s selection as its next Executive Director. He’s been an integral part of my leadership team and has the right skillset to successfully lead NAAG in 2022 and beyond,” said Attorney General Lawrence Wasden (R-Idaho).
“Brian Kane will be a great Executive Director. He has the experience, skill, judgment, sense of humor and humility necessary to navigate the challenges of this role,” shared Attorney General Tom Miller (D-Iowa), NAAG President. “He has won awards from NAAG for his ability to lead and teach AG staffers, and chief deputies around the country turn to him for counsel. Brian really cares about the AG community and treats people well. I’m confident that he will foster bipartisanship and collaboration among Attorneys General.”
“Brian’s ability as a leader and collaborator is well known outside of Idaho where he has served effectively in many roles. And NAAG has recognized that over the years, including by naming Brian 2017 Senior Staff of the Year and awarding him NAGTRI’s Faculty of the Year honor. Add to that Brian is also a U.S. Army Veteran and you have a very high caliber person with the experience and character needed to continue NAAG’s commitment to fostering bipartisan engagement and cooperation among attorneys general and their staffs,” explained Attorney General Herbert H. Slatery III (R-Tennessee), who served on the search committee.
“As a longstanding leader within the Idaho Department of Justice, Brian knows well the role attorneys general play in protecting their residents and defending the rule of law,” shared Attorney General Josh Stein (D-North Carolina), NAAG President-Elect. “I’m confident that as NAAG’s Executive Director, he will strengthen the organization’s work to support attorneys general and to foster partnerships so we can better serve the people of our states.”
“I am grateful to accept this opportunity to serve as NAAG’s next Executive Director,” said Kane. “I’ve greatly enjoyed working with the organization during my time with the Idaho office, and I am a proud faculty member of their Center for Leadership Development. I look forward to meeting with each NAAG member individually and continuing the great bipartisan work of our nation’s Attorneys General.”
Kane succeeds Acting Executive Director Al Lama, who has worked with NAAG for almost a decade and will return to his role as deputy executive director when Kane assumes the position.
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