The Confirmation No One Saw Comiing
Senate Confirms Alabama Solicitor General Edmund LaCour as Federal Judge
In a narrow, party-line vote on Wednesday, the U.S. Senate confirmed Alabama Solicitor General Edmund “Eddie” LaCour Jr. to serve as a federal judge for the Northern District of Alabama — marking another major judicial appointment backed by the Trump administration.
The 51–47 confirmation fills the vacancy left by Chief Judge L. Scott Coogler, who retired earlier this year, and represents a continuation of a broader effort to reshape Alabama’s federal judiciary with conservative jurists.
LaCour’s approval follows two other recent confirmations from Alabama: former state Supreme Court Justice Bill Lewis and Huntsville attorney Hal Mooty. Together, these appointments signal a solidified conservative presence in the state’s federal courts heading into 2026.
From Solicitor General to Federal Bench
Eddie LaCour has served as Alabama’s Solicitor General since 2019 under Attorney General Steve Marshall. In that role, he has led the state’s most high-profile appellate cases, including the closely watched Allen v. Milligan redistricting dispute before the U.S. Supreme Court.
Known for his meticulous approach and constitutional expertise, LaCour developed a reputation as one of the nation’s most skilled state solicitors general. His colleagues credit him with shaping Alabama’s legal strategy in several major cases involving voting rights, federal mandates, and separation-of-powers issues.
A Nomination Five Years in the Making
LaCour’s path to the federal bench has not been without obstacles. He was first nominated in 2020 but saw his nomination blocked by then–Sen. Doug Jones, who exercised his privilege as Alabama’s home-state senator to halt the process.
With the state’s Senate delegation now fully Republican, his nomination moved forward without opposition this time around. President Donald Trump formally renominated LaCour earlier this year as part of a broader initiative to fill judicial vacancies across key southern states.
The Senate vote on Wednesday reflected the country’s deep partisan divisions over judicial appointments, with every Republican voting in favor and every Democrat opposed.
Praise from Alabama’s Senators
Sen. Katie Britt (R-AL), who led the confirmation push alongside Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), hailed LaCour as a “legal mind of the highest caliber” whose career has demonstrated “unquestionable integrity and constitutional clarity.”
“He is admitted to practice before every U.S. circuit court of appeals and has filed more than 100 briefs before the Supreme Court,” Britt said following the vote. “Eddie’s expertise and sense of duty to the rule of law make him an outstanding choice for the Northern District.”
Tuberville also applauded the confirmation, calling LaCour “a principled and disciplined attorney who has served Alabama with distinction.”
“He’s done an excellent job as Solicitor General,” Tuberville added. “His deep understanding of constitutional law and his unwavering commitment to justice will make him a tremendous federal judge.”
Attorney General Marshall Applauds the Appointment
Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, who appointed LaCour as Solicitor General in 2019, celebrated the Senate’s decision in a statement Wednesday evening.
“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,” Marshall said. “His service in my office left an indelible mark on some of the most consequential legal battles of our time. I have no doubt he will continue to uphold those same values on the federal bench.”
Marshall also credited former President Trump for his “continued leadership in ensuring that Alabama and the nation are served by judges of the highest integrity and intellect.”
A Distinguished Career in Law
Before joining the Alabama Attorney General’s Office, LaCour practiced at several prestigious law firms, including Kirkland & Ellis LLP in Washington, D.C., where he handled cases before the U.S. Supreme Court and multiple federal appellate courts. He also worked at Bancroft PLLC and Baker Botts LLP, representing clients in complex constitutional and commercial litigation.
A native of Dothan, Alabama, LaCour graduated summa cum laude from Birmingham-Southern College before earning a Master of Philosophy from Trinity College Dublin. He later earned his Juris Doctor from Yale Law School, one of the nation’s top legal institutions.
Following law school, he clerked for Judge William H. Pryor Jr. on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit — a formative experience that helped shape his judicial philosophy.
Alabama’s Judiciary Moves Forward
With LaCour’s confirmation now complete, Alabama’s federal judiciary enters a new chapter. The appointments of LaCour, Lewis, and Mooty collectively mark a decisive shift in the composition of the Northern and Middle Districts — one that Alabama’s Republican leadership views as essential to preserving constitutional balance.
In a press release, the Alabama Attorney General’s Office said LaCour’s confirmation “ensures that the Northern District will continue to be served by judges who honor the rule of law above politics.”
“President Trump could not have made a better choice,” the statement concluded. “Eddie LaCour’s intellect, humility, and commitment to justice will serve the people of Alabama for generations to come.”