M. John Kane IV

Matthew John Kane IV (born April 8, 1962) is an American attorney and judge serving as Chief Justice of the Oklahoma Supreme Court. Kane was appointed the state's highest court by Governor Kevin Stitt in 2019. He was elected to a two year term as Chief Justice, commencing January 1, 2023. He had previously served as the Vice Chief Justice for 2021-2022.

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.

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.

State judicial service
From 2005 to 2019, Kane served as district judge for the 10th Judicial District in Osage County.

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. He began a term as Vice Chief Justice on January 1, 2021.

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