Senate Confirms Edmund LaCour to Federal Bench in Major Win for Alabama and Constitutional Jurisprudence

In a decisive step toward strengthening the federal judiciary with constitutional conservatives, the U.S. Senate confirmed Alabama Solicitor General Edmund “Eddie” LaCour Jr. to serve as a federal judge for the Northern District of Alabama. The 51–47 vote fell squarely along party lines, underscoring the ideological stakes surrounding judicial appointments in President Donald J. Trump’s second term.

LaCour will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Chief Judge L. Scott Coogler earlier this year, marking yet another judicial milestone for Alabama’s Republican delegation.

A String of Judicial Victories for Alabama

LaCour’s confirmation follows recent Senate approvals of former Alabama Supreme Court Justice Bill Lewis and Huntsville attorney Hal Mooty. Together, these appointments signal a renewed commitment to placing jurists on the bench who prioritize constitutional fidelity, textualism, and the rule of law.

Since 2019, LaCour has served as Solicitor General under Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, leading the state’s most consequential appellate litigation. His portfolio includes Allen v. Milligan, the closely watched redistricting case argued before the U.S. Supreme Court that placed Alabama at the center of the national debate over voting maps and federal oversight.

A Nomination Years in the Making

LaCour’s path to the federal bench has not been without political resistance. Originally nominated in 2020, his confirmation was stalled by then-Sen. Doug Jones, who exercised home-state senatorial privilege to block the advancement of the nomination.

With Alabama’s Senate delegation now firmly in Republican hands, the confirmation proceeded without obstruction. President Trump formally re-nominated LaCour earlier this year as part of a broader judicial push to fill key vacancies in Alabama and across the South.

“Unparalleled” Legal Record

Sen. Katie Britt, who spearheaded the confirmation effort alongside Sen. Tommy Tuberville, emphasized LaCour’s deep experience before the nation’s highest courts.

“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 echoed that confidence, stating LaCour “has done an excellent job as Alabama’s Solicitor General” and “will continue his great work as a federal district court judge.”

Praise from Alabama’s Attorney General

The Alabama Attorney General’s Office marked the confirmation with an official statement celebrating the appointment:

“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.

Marshall personally praised LaCour’s record and character:

“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.”

A Record Rooted in Elite Legal Experience

The press release further detailed LaCour’s 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.

With LaCour, Lewis, and Mooty now confirmed, Alabama enters 2026 with a reshaped federal judiciary in both its Northern and Middle Districts — a development likely to have long-term implications for constitutional litigation across the region.

Under President Trump’s leadership, the effort to restore the federal bench to its constitutional foundations continues — one appointment at a time.