The U.S. Senate confirmed Alabama Solicitor General Edmund “Eddie” LaCour Jr. as a federal judge for the Northern District of Alabama. The 51-47 vote fell along party lines and fills the vacancy left by Chief Judge L. Scott Coogler, who retired earlier this year.
Among them was Allen v. Milligan, the landmark Alabama redistricting case argued before the U.S. Supreme Court.
His confirmation also closes a political chapter that began five years ago.
LaCour was first nominated to the federal bench in 2020 but was blocked by then-Sen. Doug Jones, who used his authority as Alabama’s home-state senator to prevent the nomination from advancing.
With the state’s Senate seats now held by Republicans, the nomination proceeded smoothly this time.
President Trump formally nominated LaCour earlier this year as part of a broader effort to fill federal vacancies in Alabama and other southern states.
Sen. Katie Britt, who led the confirmation effort alongside Sen. Tommy Tuberville, called LaCour’s legal record “unparalleled.”
“He is admitted to practice before every circuit court of appeals in our nation, as well as the Supreme Court where he has filed more than 100 briefs and argued three cases,” Britt said. “His legal acumen is unparalleled, and I have every confidence he will serve the Northern District exceptionally.”
Tuberville also praised LaCour’s appointment, saying he “has done an excellent job as Alabama’s Solicitor General” and “will continue his great work as a federal district court judge.”
With LaCour, Lewis, and Mooty now confirmed, Alabama’s federal judiciary enters 2026 with new appointments across its Northern and Middle Districts.
The Alabama Attorney General’s Office celebrated the news in a press release.
“Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall today celebrated the U.S. Senate’s confirmation of Edmund LaCour Jr. to serve as a U.S. district judge for the Northern District of Alabama,” the press release said.
“LaCour, who has served as solicitor general in the Attorney General’s Office since 2019, was nominated by President Donald Trump in August,” it said.
“Eddie is a brilliant and principled lawyer who brought a deep respect for the Constitution and the rule of law to every aspect of his work,” he said. “Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, Alabama, and the nation, will continue to benefit from Eddie’s unwavering integrity and exceptional service.”
He continued: “As solicitor general, Eddie left an indelible mark on some of the most consequential legal battles of our time. His unmatched skill and sharp constitutional insight earned him respect at every level of the judiciary, including the U.S. Supreme Court. President Trump could not have made a better choice. We are incredibly proud to see Eddie bring his intellect, humility and dedication to the federal bench.”
“LaCour has served as solicitor general of Alabama since May 2019, following his tenure as deputy solicitor general. Before joining the Attorney General’s Office, he was a partner at Kirkland & Ellis LLP in Washington, D.C., where he represented clients in high-profile matters before the U.S. Supreme Court, federal courts of appeals and trial courts. He also practiced at Bancroft PLLC in Washington and Baker Botts LLP in Houston,” the oress release said.
“A native of Dothan, Alabama, LaCour earned his Juris Doctor from Yale Law School, a Master of Philosophy from Trinity College Dublin, and a bachelor’s degree, summa cum laude, from Birmingham-Southern College. He clerked for Judge William H. Pryor Jr. of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit,” it said.
