The Bench’s Best-Kept Secret
Senate Confirms Alabama Solicitor General Edmund LaCour as Federal Judge
The U.S. Senate has officially confirmed Alabama Solicitor General Edmund “Eddie” LaCour Jr. as a federal judge for the Northern District of Alabama, marking another major judicial appointment under former President Donald Trump’s nominations.
In a narrow 51–47 vote that fell strictly along party lines, LaCour secured his seat, filling the vacancy left by Chief Judge L. Scott Coogler, who retired earlier this year. The confirmation represents another victory for Alabama’s Senate delegation, which has recently championed a series of successful judicial appointments across the state.
The decision, reported by Yellowhammer News, follows a wave of confirmations that included former Alabama Supreme Court Justice Bill Lewis and Huntsville attorney Hal Mooty — a sign of growing Republican influence in shaping the federal judiciary across the Deep South.
A Long Path to the Federal Bench
For LaCour, the confirmation brings closure to a political and professional journey that began several years ago. He was first nominated to the same position in 2020, but the process was halted when then–Senator Doug Jones, a Democrat, used his “blue slip” authority to block the nomination from advancing in committee.
That changed dramatically after Republicans regained both of Alabama’s Senate seats. With strong backing from Senators Katie Britt and Tommy Tuberville, LaCour’s nomination faced little resistance this time around.
President Trump formally re-nominated LaCour earlier this year as part of his broader initiative to fill outstanding federal judicial vacancies in Alabama and neighboring states.
A Distinguished Legal Career
Since 2019, LaCour has served as Alabama’s Solicitor General under Attorney General Steve Marshall, leading the state’s most significant appellate and constitutional litigation. In that role, he became a key figure in landmark legal battles, including Allen v. Milligan, the high-profile redistricting case argued before the U.S. Supreme Court that reshaped Alabama’s congressional map.
Senator Katie Britt praised LaCour’s “brilliance and character,” emphasizing the depth of his legal background and national recognition.
“He is admitted to practice before every circuit court of appeals in the nation, as well as the Supreme Court,” Britt said. “He has filed over a hundred briefs and argued multiple cases before the highest court in the country. His expertise, discipline, and respect for the Constitution are beyond compare. I am confident he will bring those same qualities to the federal bench.”
Senator Tommy Tuberville echoed that sentiment, calling LaCour “an outstanding legal mind” who “has served Alabama with integrity and excellence.”
“He’s done an exceptional job as Solicitor General,” Tuberville said. “Now, he’ll continue that work as a federal judge, ensuring that the rule of law is applied fairly and faithfully in every case before him.”
Praised by Alabama’s Attorney General
Attorney General Steve Marshall issued a statement celebrating the confirmation, describing LaCour as a “brilliant and principled” attorney who has left a lasting imprint on Alabama’s legal landscape.
“Eddie brought a deep respect for the Constitution and the rule of law to every aspect of his work,” Marshall said. “Thanks to President Trump’s leadership and the Senate’s confirmation, Alabama and the nation will continue to benefit from his unwavering integrity and commitment to justice.”
Marshall added that LaCour’s impact as Solicitor General has been far-reaching. “He has played a central role in some of the most consequential legal battles of our time,” he said. “His intellect, humility, and dedication have earned him the respect of judges and peers at every level of the judiciary.”
From Dothan to the District Court
LaCour’s path to the federal bench has been marked by academic achievement and professional distinction. A native of Dothan, Alabama, he graduated summa cum laude from Birmingham-Southern College before earning a Master of Philosophy from Trinity College Dublin. He later obtained his Juris Doctor degree from Yale Law School, where he developed a focus on constitutional and appellate law.
After law school, LaCour clerked for Judge William H. Pryor Jr. of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, a respected jurist known for his conservative judicial philosophy.
Before joining the Alabama Attorney General’s Office, LaCour was a partner at Kirkland & Ellis LLP in Washington, D.C., one of the nation’s premier law firms. He also previously practiced at Bancroft PLLC and Baker Botts LLP, where he represented clients in major cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, federal appellate courts, and trial courts nationwide.
A Broader Shift in Alabama’s Judiciary
With LaCour’s confirmation, Alabama’s federal judiciary enters 2026 with a fresh lineup of Trump-nominated judges across both the Northern and Middle Districts. The appointments of LaCour, Lewis, and Mooty signal a decisive conservative shift that will likely shape the state’s judicial landscape for decades to come.
Legal analysts note that LaCour’s appointment strengthens Alabama’s influence on national legal debates — particularly in cases involving constitutional interpretation, voting rights, and federal authority.
As Attorney General Marshall put it, “Eddie LaCour represents the very best of Alabama’s legal community. His intellect, fairness, and fidelity to the Constitution make him an outstanding addition to the federal bench.”
For LaCour, the moment marks both an end and a beginning — the conclusion of a five-year confirmation saga and the start of what promises to be a significant chapter in Alabama’s judicial history.