The University of Idaho College of Law has a new dean. Brian Kane, a University of Idaho alumnus with deep roots in Idaho’s legal community, has been appointed to lead the Moscow-based law school, with his tenure beginning July 31.
Kane brings an extensive record of public service to the position. He most recently served as chief executive officer and executive director of the National Association of Attorneys General, and before that spent two decades as chief deputy attorney general for the Idaho Office of the Attorney General — making him a familiar name in Idaho legal and government circles.
His connection to the College of Law is longstanding. Kane has served as adjunct faculty there since 2017, giving him firsthand experience with the institution he will now lead.
Kane’s academic journey began at the University of Idaho itself, where he earned undergraduate degrees in history and political science and served as president of the Associated Students of the University of Idaho. He went on to earn his law degree from Northwestern School of Law at Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Oregon. He also completed four years of military service in the U.S. Army, primarily assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood.
The appointment places an Idaho-trained, Idaho-committed legal veteran at the helm of one of the state’s primary pipelines for legal professionals. The College of Law has long played a central role in preparing attorneys who serve across the Gem State and the broader Pacific Northwest.
The University of Idaho has been active on several academic fronts this spring. The institution recently partnered with Hiroshima University to launch a global engineering pathway aimed at expanding international academic opportunities for students.
What Comes Next
Kane’s appointment takes effect July 31. University officials have not yet announced transition events or additional leadership changes connected to the new dean’s arrival.