Wyoming Attorney General Bridget Hill will be the newest addition to the Wyoming Supreme Court.
Gov. Mark Gordon announced Friday that he’s picked Hill to replace Chief Justice Kate Fox on Wyoming’s highest court, who’s retiring.
“After careful consideration, I chose General Hill because she possesses a deep and original understanding of both Wyoming and constitutional law,” Gordon says in the statement. “She has dedicated her legal career to public service and has proven her ability to examine issues from all perspectives. She reflects a level of integrity that is as valuable as it is admirable.”
Hill’s appointment will be effective May 28.
Who’s Hill?
Gordon picked Hill to be his attorney general in 2019 and has worked at his pleasure since that time.
“I am honored by the governor’s decision to select me for this position, as I have tremendous respect and reverence for the work of the Wyoming Supreme Court,” Hill said in a statement. “Chief Justice Fox leaves tremendously big shoes to fill.”
Hill served as director of the Wyoming Office of State Lands and Investments from 2013 to 2018 after serving for eight years in the Attorney General’s Office in multiple capacities.
She began her professional legal career as a staff attorney for Wyoming Supreme Court Justices Michael Golden and Larry Lehman.
A Wyoming native, Hill attended Saratoga High School and earned her bachelor’s and juris supreme doctor degrees from the University of Wyoming.
"She has dedicated her legal career to public service and has proven her ability to examine issues from all perspectives," Gordon said. "She reflects a level of integrity that is as valuable as it is admirable.”
Hill was one of three candidates picked by a judicial nominating commission tasked with helping Gordon fill a seat left vacant by Fox.
Fox chaired the judicial nominating commission that named Hill, Campbell County District Court Judge Stuart S. Healy III, and recent Wyoming State Bar president and private attorney Anna Reeves Olson.
“I know the governor was faced with an extremely difficult decision, as I have great admiration for the legal abilities and gifts of Judge Healy and Anna Reeves Olsen,” Hill said. “I will do my best to continue the great work of the court.”
Hill’s office has represented the state in attempting to uphold two bans on most abortions in Wyoming. She’ll be unlikely to hear the latest case as a justice because of the timing of her joining the court and her conflicts of interest in the case.
Justice Robert Jarosh was the most recent addition to the court, appointed by Gordon in 2024. Gordon has now appointed three justices onto the five-member court during his time as governor.
Now What?
Fox served on the court for 11 years and is turning 70 this year, the age limit for justices to serve on the state’s high court.
Justice Lynne Boomgaarden will be the next chief justice, Fox told the Wyoming Legislature during her January state of the judiciary speech.
With Hill leaving her AG post, Gordon will now need to select a replacement for her position that will fill the role at least until the end of his current term ends at the end of 2026.
Leo Wolfson can be reached at leo@cowboystatedaily.com.
