Edmund LaCour Confirmed to Federal Bench in Alabama, Marking Another Trump-Era Judicial Victory

The U.S. Senate has officially confirmed Alabama Solicitor General Edmund “Eddie” LaCour Jr. as a U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Alabama, marking a significant milestone for both Alabama’s judiciary and the Trump administration’s ongoing influence on the federal courts.

The Senate approved LaCour’s nomination by a narrow 51–47 vote, strictly along party lines. His confirmation fills the vacancy left by former Chief Judge L. Scott Coogler, who stepped down earlier this year.

LaCour’s appointment is the latest in a series of judicial confirmations involving Alabama nominees, following the recent approvals of former Alabama Supreme Court Justice Bill Lewis and Huntsville attorney Hal Mooty. Together, these appointments have reshaped the state’s federal judiciary heading into 2026.

From State Solicitor to Federal Judge

Eddie LaCour has served as Alabama’s Solicitor General since 2019 under Attorney General Steve Marshall, where he played a pivotal role in some of the state’s most consequential legal battles. Among his most prominent cases was Allen v. Milligan, the landmark redistricting dispute argued before the U.S. Supreme Court, which drew national attention for its potential implications on voting rights and representation.

Before joining the Alabama Attorney General’s Office, LaCour was a partner at the prestigious law firm Kirkland & Ellis LLP in Washington, D.C., where he represented clients before the U.S. Supreme Court and multiple federal appellate courts. He also worked at Bancroft PLLC and Baker Botts LLP, earning a reputation as one of the nation’s most skilled constitutional litigators.

A native of Dothan, Alabama, LaCour earned his undergraduate degree summa cum laude from Birmingham-Southern College before earning a Master of Philosophy from Trinity College Dublin and a Juris Doctor from Yale Law School. He later clerked for Judge William H. Pryor Jr. on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.

A Political Comeback Five Years in the Making

LaCour’s path to the federal bench was not without obstacles. He was first nominated in 2020 by then-President Donald Trump, but the nomination was stalled after opposition from then-Senator Doug Jones, a Democrat who exercised his prerogative as Alabama’s home-state senator to block the process.

Now, with both of Alabama’s Senate seats held by Republicans—Senators Katie Britt and Tommy Tuberville—the confirmation advanced swiftly this time around. President Trump re-nominated LaCour earlier this year as part of his renewed effort to fill federal court vacancies across the South with judges who prioritize textualism and constitutional restraint.

Praise from Alabama’s Senate Delegation

Following the confirmation, Sen. Katie Britt, who spearheaded the push for LaCour’s approval, praised his “unmatched intellect and integrity.”

“Eddie LaCour’s legal acumen is simply unparalleled,” Britt said in a statement. “He’s argued before the Supreme Court, filed over 100 briefs in federal appellate courts, and shown a deep respect for the Constitution and the rule of law. The Northern District of Alabama will be well-served by his steady hand and sharp legal mind.”

Sen. Tuberville echoed the sentiment, emphasizing LaCour’s experience and dedication. “Eddie has done an outstanding job as Alabama’s Solicitor General, leading with professionalism and conviction. I have no doubt he’ll bring that same level of excellence to the federal judiciary,” Tuberville said.

State Officials Celebrate the Appointment

The Alabama Attorney General’s Office issued a statement celebrating LaCour’s confirmation as a victory for both the state and the federal justice system.

“Eddie is a brilliant and principled lawyer who brought a deep respect for the Constitution to every case he handled,” Attorney General Steve Marshall said. “Thanks to President Trump’s leadership, Alabama and the nation will continue to benefit from Eddie’s unwavering integrity and exceptional service.”

Marshall also credited LaCour with shaping Alabama’s modern legal identity. “As Solicitor General, Eddie left an indelible mark on some of the most consequential legal battles of our time,” Marshall added. “His insight and skill have earned him respect at every level of the judiciary.”

Shaping Alabama’s Judicial Future

With LaCour now confirmed, Alabama enters 2026 with three newly appointed federal judges who share a conservative judicial philosophy emphasizing constitutional interpretation and restraint. Analysts say the confirmations solidify Alabama’s influence in future federal legal debates, particularly those surrounding states’ rights, election law, and administrative power.

LaCour’s appointment is also a symbolic victory for President Trump’s broader judicial strategy, which has prioritized filling federal vacancies with jurists who are both philosophically aligned and deeply experienced.

As the political and legal landscapes continue to evolve, LaCour’s presence on the bench is expected to shape major rulings in the years ahead — not only for Alabama but for the broader Eleventh Circuit and potentially the nation.