Diane Barz

Diane MacDonald Barz (August 18, 1943 – May 14, 2014) was an American judge. She was the first woman to serve as a member of the Montana Supreme Court, a position she held from September 1989 to 1990. She also served as an assistant United States Attorney from 1991 to 1994.

Born in Bozeman, Montana, Barz graduated from high school in Concord, California and then received her bachelor's degree from Whitworth University and her law degree from University of Montana Law School. Barz served as a law clerk in the Montana Supreme Court and was a public defender for Yellowstone County, Montana. In 1978, Barz was elected Montana District Court judge. In 1989, Barz was appointed associate justice of the Montana Supreme Court and was the first woman to serve on the court. In 1990, Barz resigned from the court. She then served as assistant United States Attorney and then again served as Montana District Court judge. Barz died in Billings, Montana of cancer.