A former Wyoming Supreme Court justice will be Wyoming’s next attorney general.
Gov. Mark Gordon appointed Keith Kautz to the post Wednesday.
“I am honored to serve Wyoming and to work with the outstanding staff at the Attorney General’s office,” Kautz said in a statement announcing the appointment.
Kautz did not immediately answer messages seeking additional comment on his appointment before publication.
Gordon said Kautz has “the talent, experience and skill” to serve as Wyoming’s 39th attorney general.
Who Is Keith Kautz?
Kautz served as a Wyoming Supreme Court justice from 2015 to 2024, when he was constitutionally required to retire at age 70.
Kautz told Cowboy State Daily at the time that his time on the high court was “amazing.”
He said he was thankful to work in a state where judges are appointed by the governor, rather than being elected as they are in other states.
He said the appointment system keeps justices impartial, even as crowds rail outside the Wyoming Supreme Court’s doors.
“When somebody demonstrates out in front of the Capitol building, across the street from us, that might have an impact over there, but in our court it doesn’t have any impact. None,” he told Cowboy State Daily.
Gordon said Kautz quoted George Washington when accepting the offer to be attorney general.
Washington, upon appointing Edmund Jennings Randolph as the nation’s first attorney general, said: “The due administration of justice is the firmest pillar of good government.”
“I share that view,” Gordon said. “And know that Justice Kautz [will] provide the due administration of justice to the people of Wyoming. We are fortunate that he desires to continue to serve our great state, and I look forward to his leadership in this most essential office.”
Former Wyoming Attorney General and Supreme Court Justice Bill Hill told Cowboy State Daily that Kautz is “first-rate in every respect.”
“He’s a fine, honorable man and a good attorney and a good judge,” Hill said. “I bet you he’ll be a very fine attorney general.”
He added that Kautz was a “wonderful” attorney and district court judge in Torrington before being appointed to the Supreme Court.
Former Wyoming Attorney General Gay Woodhouse said Kautz is one of the most honorable, dedicated and hardworking people she’s ever known.
She said she’s known Kautz for most her life because they both grew up in Torrington. She added Kautz was “such a good” district judge who served with distinction and honor on the supreme court.
“He was always very well prepared and wrote tremendous opinions,” Woodhouse said. “[He’s] very learned. He’s one of the reasons I’m sorry that justices can’t serve past being 70 years old.”
She said she could think of no one better for attorney general.
“He will do it so well,” Woodhouse said. “The whole state is better for having him in that position. I can’t be more pleased about anything.”
Long Career
Prior to the Wyoming Supreme Court, Kautz served as a district court judge in the 8th Judicial District, which includes Converse, Goshen, Niobrara and Platte counties.
Kautz’s hometown, Torrington, is included in the 8th District.
“Being the judge in places where I knew a lot of the people helped remind me that even if it seems routine to me, this is a big deal to them,” he told Cowboy State Daily last year. “To figure out how to solve these problems for people so we can all live together and thrive together — it’s a wonderful thing. There’s nothing like it.”
Kautz worked in private practice before being appointed to the bench by then-Gov. Mike Sullivan. He worked in Torrington and in Sheridan.
Kautz earned his college degrees from the University of Wyoming.
Gordon appointed Kautz to replace interim Attorney General Ryan Schelhaas.
Schelhaas became interim attorney general after Gordon appointed Bridget Hill to the Supreme Court on April 11.
Matthew Christian can be reached at matthew@cowboystatedaily.com.
