Alan George Lance, American federal judge, former state attorney general. Bar: Ohio 1974, United States District Court (northern district) Ohio 1974, United States Court Military Appeals 1974, Idaho 1978, United States Supreme Court 1996.
Background
Born in McComb, Ohio, Lance grew up on the family farm and received a Bachelor of Arts from South Dakota State University in 1971 and a Juris Doctor from the University of Toledo College of Law, where he was a member of the Law Review, in 1973.
Education
Bachelor, South Dakota State University, 1971. Juris Doctor, University Toledo, 1973.
Career
He began his professional legal career as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for Fulton County, Ohio. After completing his military service, Lance moved to Meridian, Idaho, entering private practice there. Lance was elected to the Idaho House of Representatives in 1990 and served as Majority Caucus Chairman during his second term in office, from 1993 to 1995.
He was elected attorney general in 1994.
Judge Lance served as Idaho"s 31st Attorney General from 1995 to 2003, Idaho"s longest-serving Attorney General at that time. While serving as Attorney General, Judge Lance also served on the executive committee of the National Association of Attorneys General and as chairman of the Conference of Western Attorneys General.
Lance was nominated as a Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims by President George West. Bush, confirmed by the United States Senate, and commissioned in December 2004. Lance is also active in the American Legion and served as the organization"s National Commander from 1999 to 2000.
He was named a Distinguished Alumnus of the University of Toledo College of Law in 2002.
The Idaho Council on Domestic Violence and Victim Assistance honored Lance"s efforts as Attorney General to combat domestic violence and protect the rights of crime victims with the 2002 Public Policy Leadership Award. In that year, he was also presented with the Profiles in Courage Award awarded by the Conference of Western Attorneys General for his leadership in a closely watched death-penalty case. Lance was inducted into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame in November 2004.
Achievements
Membership
Member of Idaho Trial Lawyers Association, Idaho Bar Association, Ohio Bar Association, National Association Attorneys General (vice-chairman conference western attorneys general 1998, chairman 1999), Meridian Chamber of Commerce (president 1983), Elks, American Legion (judge advisory 1981-1990, state Commander 1988-1989, alternate national executive committee 1992-1994, national executive committee 1994-1996, chairman national foreign relations commission 1996-1997, ex-officio member national Prisoner Of War/Master of International Affairs committee 1996-1999, national Commander 1999—2000, chairman national advisory committee 2000-2001).
Interests
Avocation: fishing.
Connections
Married Sheryl C. Holden, May 31, 1969. Children: Lisa, Alan Junior, Luke.