Judge Alan G. Lance, Sr.
Judge Alan G. Lance, Sr. was nominated as a Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims by President George W. Bush, confirmed by the Senate, and commissioned in December 2004. He served as Chief Judge for a period in 2016, and on April 30, 2017, Judge Lance retired from active service and assumed senior status as a recall-eligible retired judge.
Prior to his confirmation to the Court Judge Lance was in private practice in Idaho. Judge Lance served as Idaho's 31st Attorney General from 1995 to 2003. 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. Prior to his election as Attorney General, Judge Lance served two terms in the Idaho House of Representatives and was elected Majority Caucus Chairman during his second term.
Judge Lance was born in McComb, Ohio and grew up on the family farm. He earned his bachelor's degree from South Dakota State University in 1971 where he was a Distinguished Military Student and Graduate. He is a 1973 graduate of the University of Toledo College of Law, where he was a member of the Law Review and named Distinguished Alumnus in 2002.
He began his professional legal career as an Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for Fulton County, Ohio. Judge Lance served in the United States Army, Judge Advocate General Corps from 1974 until 1978 and received the Army Commendation Medal. After completing his military service, Judge Lance established a private law practice in Meridian, Idaho.
In 1998, Judge Lance received the Distinguished Service Award from the National Association of State Veterans Homes for his service to veterans. Judge Lance served as National Commander of The American Legion during 1999-2000. He received the Humanitarian Award from the American Legion Auxiliary in 2000 for his work with veterans, active duty military personnel, and their families. The Idaho Council on Domestic Violence and Victim Assistance honored Judge 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. Judge Lance was inducted into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame in November 2004.
