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Rankin, Kelly Harrison
Federal Judicial Service:
Judge, U.S. District Court for the District of Wyoming
Nominated by Joseph R. Biden on January 10, 2024, to a seat vacated by Nancy Dell Freudenthal. Confirmed by the Senate on March 7, 2024, and received commission on March 12, 2024. Served as chief judge, 2025-present.
Other Federal Judicial Service:
U.S. Magistrate Judge, U.S. District Court for the District of Wyoming, 2012-2024; chief magistrate judge, 2012-2024
Education:
University of Wyoming, B.S., 1990
University of Wyoming College of Law, J.D., 1994
Professional Career:
Deputy county attorney, Lincoln County, Wyoming, 1994-1995
Deputy county attorney, Park County, Wyoming, 1995-1998
Instructor, Introduction to Criminal Justice, Northwest Community College, 1997-2002
Private practice, Cody, Wyoming, 1998-1999
Special assistant U.S. attorney, District of Wyoming, 1999-2001
County attorney, Park County, Wyoming, 1999-2003
Assistant U.S. attorney, District of Wyoming, 2003-2008, 2010-2012; chief, Criminal Division, 2010-2012
U.S. attorney for the District of Wyoming, 2008-2010
Counsel, Gov. Dave Freudenthal, Wyoming, 2010
