Senate Confirms Alabama Solicitor General Edmund LaCour As Federal Judge
The U.S. Senate on Tuesday confirmed Alabama Solicitor General Edmund “Eddie” LaCour Jr. to serve as a federal judge for the Northern District of Alabama, securing yet another major judicial victory for conservatives in the Deep South. The 51–47 vote broke cleanly along party lines, filling the vacancy left earlier this year by retiring Chief Judge L. Scott Coogler and further strengthening the judiciary in a region where constitutional jurisprudence has increasingly taken center stage.
LaCour’s confirmation marks the latest milestone for Alabama’s Senate delegation, which has successfully shepherded multiple nominees through the chamber in recent months. Former Alabama Supreme Court Justice Bill Lewis and Huntsville attorney Hal Mooty also won confirmation, rounding out a slate of appointments that bolsters the federal bench heading into 2026.
Since 2019, LaCour has served under Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, leading the state’s most consequential appellate efforts and building a record of disciplined, constitutional advocacy. Among his highest-profile assignments was Allen v. Milligan, the landmark redistricting case argued before the U.S. Supreme Court.
His confirmation also closes a political saga five years in the making. LaCour was originally tapped for a federal judgeship in 2020, but then-Sen. Doug Jones exercised his home-state prerogative to block the nomination. With both Alabama Senate seats now held by Republicans, the path was clear this time.
President Donald J. Trump renominated LaCour earlier this year as part of his broader effort to fill critical vacancies across Alabama and other southern states, renewing a push to reshape the federal judiciary with jurists committed to constitutional limits and strong rule-of-law principles.
Sen. Katie Britt, who led the confirmation push alongside Sen. Tommy Tuberville, praised LaCour’s credentials as unmatched in scope and depth.
“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 likewise celebrated the appointment, noting LaCour “has done an excellent job as Alabama’s Solicitor General” and “will continue his great work as a federal district court judge.”
The confirmation of LaCour, Lewis, and Mooty ensures that Alabama enters 2026 with a refreshed federal judiciary across its Northern and Middle Districts — an outcome welcomed by the Alabama Attorney General’s Office, which issued a detailed press release applauding the Senate’s decision.
“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.”
The office also highlighted LaCour’s extensive legal background:
“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 press 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.
LaCour’s confirmation solidifies yet another consequential judicial victory for the Trump administration’s second-term agenda — one focused on reasserting constitutional boundaries, elevating principled jurists, and restoring a judiciary that respects the separation of powers.