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 the latest judicial appointment in the state. The vote, which passed 51-47 along party lines, fills the vacancy left by Chief Judge L. Scott Coogler, who retired earlier this year.

LaCour’s confirmation follows a series of recent judicial appointments from Alabama, including former state Supreme Court Justice Bill Lewis and Huntsville attorney Hal Mooty, both of whom were recently confirmed to federal positions. Together, these appointments represent a significant reshaping of the state’s federal bench in the coming years.

LaCour has served as Alabama’s Solicitor General since 2019, representing the state in some of its most consequential appellate cases. Among these was Allen v. Milligan, a high-profile redistricting case that drew national attention when it reached the U.S. Supreme Court.

While his confirmation this week was smooth, LaCour’s path to the bench has been a long one. He was initially nominated for a federal judgeship in 2020. However, his nomination stalled when then-Senator Doug Jones exercised his senatorial prerogative to block the appointment. The political shift in Alabama’s Senate representation now allowed the nomination to move forward without opposition, and President Trump officially resubmitted LaCour as part of a broader push to fill federal vacancies in Alabama and other Southern states.

Senator Katie Britt, who worked alongside Senator Tommy Tuberville to secure LaCour’s confirmation, praised his extensive legal experience. “He has argued cases in front of every federal circuit court of appeals in the country and has submitted over 100 briefs, including three arguments before the Supreme Court,” Britt said. “His record demonstrates both expertise and dedication. I am confident he will serve the Northern District with excellence.”

Tuberville also expressed strong support, noting LaCour’s success as Alabama’s Solicitor General. “He has been a capable and principled advocate for the state,” Tuberville said, “and I am certain he will continue to provide outstanding service as a federal judge.”

The Alabama Attorney General’s Office issued a statement celebrating the confirmation. Attorney General Steve Marshall highlighted LaCour’s contributions to major legal cases and praised his character. “Eddie LaCour has been a brilliant and principled lawyer,” Marshall said. “He has consistently demonstrated respect for the Constitution and the rule of law. His dedication, intelligence, and integrity make him an exceptional addition to the federal bench.”

The press release noted that LaCour’s work as solicitor general had a lasting impact on some of Alabama’s most significant legal battles. His efforts earned him recognition across the judiciary, including respect from the U.S. Supreme Court, for his skill and clarity in constitutional matters.

Before joining the Attorney General’s Office, LaCour built a distinguished private-sector career. He was a partner at Kirkland & Ellis LLP in Washington, D.C., where he handled high-profile cases at multiple levels of the federal judiciary, including the Supreme Court. He also practiced at Bancroft PLLC in Washington and Baker Botts LLP in Houston, further cementing his reputation as a skilled appellate attorney.

LaCour is a native of Dothan, Alabama. He earned his Juris Doctor from Yale Law School, a Master of Philosophy from Trinity College Dublin, and graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree from Birmingham-Southern College. Early in his career, he clerked for Judge William H. Pryor Jr. on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit, gaining experience that would serve him well in both public service and private practice.

With LaCour, Lewis, and Mooty confirmed, Alabama’s federal courts are set to see new judges in both the Northern and Middle Districts by 2026. Observers note that these appointments represent a strategic effort to reinforce the state’s judicial infrastructure with highly experienced legal minds.

LaCour’s journey to the federal bench reflects both his personal achievements and the changing political landscape in Alabama. After years of navigating a stalled nomination process, his confirmation signifies the culmination of persistent advocacy, legal expertise, and shifting political dynamics in the state. As he assumes his role, LaCour brings a combination of scholarly legal knowledge, practical courtroom experience, and a deep understanding of appellate law, promising to leave a lasting impact on Alabama’s judiciary.