The U.S. Senate has confirmed Alabama Solicitor General Edmund LaCour as a federal judge for the Northern District of Alabama in a closely contested 51-47 vote, largely along party lines. LaCour fills the vacancy left by Chief Judge L. Scott Coogler, who retired earlier this year, signaling a notable shift in Alabama’s federal judiciary. His confirmation reflects both his extensive legal experience and the political complexities surrounding his nomination, which began five years ago. With this appointment, LaCour joins a series of recent confirmations that have reinforced Alabama’s judicial influence nationally and strengthened the federal courts across the state.

LaCour’s confirmation is part of a broader wave of judicial appointments led by Alabama’s Republican delegation. Following the confirmations of former Alabama Supreme Court Justice Bill Lewis and Huntsville attorney Hal Mooty, the state enters 2026 with a refreshed judiciary across the Northern and Middle Districts. LaCour has served as Alabama’s Solicitor General since 2019 under Attorney General Steve Marshall, handling high-profile appellate litigation, including Allen v. Milligan, a pivotal Supreme Court case on congressional redistricting. His record in such consequential matters has been cited as evidence of his ability to adjudicate complex federal cases impartially and with constitutional insight.

The path to LaCour’s confirmation was initially challenging. First nominated in 2020 during the Trump administration, he faced opposition from then-Senator Doug Jones, who blocked the nomination as Alabama’s home-state senator. With both Senate seats now held by Republicans, LaCour’s nomination advanced with far less resistance, demonstrating the impact of political dynamics on judicial appointments. His nomination was part of a broader strategy to fill southern federal courts with conservative-leaning jurists possessing strong appellate experience.

Senators Katie Britt and Tommy Tuberville led the confirmation effort, praising LaCour’s legal acumen and professional achievements. Britt emphasized that LaCour is admitted to practice before every U.S. circuit court of appeals and the Supreme Court, having filed over 100 briefs and argued three cases. She described his legal expertise as “unparalleled” and expressed confidence in his service on the Northern District bench. Tuberville echoed her remarks, highlighting LaCour’s record as Solicitor General and his ability to deliver excellence in federal jurisprudence. Both senators framed his confirmation as a win for Alabama’s legal community and for the federal judiciary more broadly.

LaCour’s professional background combines high-level appellate advocacy with private practice experience. Before joining the Alabama Attorney General’s Office, he was a partner at Kirkland & Ellis LLP in Washington, D.C., representing clients before the Supreme Court, federal appellate courts, and trial courts. He also practiced at Bancroft PLLC and Baker Botts LLP, gaining experience in complex civil litigation and constitutional law. At the Attorney General’s Office, he served as deputy solicitor general and then solicitor general, overseeing major appellate cases and building a reputation for precision, constitutional expertise, and professionalism in high-stakes litigation.

LaCour’s education and personal history further underscore his qualifications. A native of Dothan, Alabama, he 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. on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit, gaining insight into appellate procedures and judicial decision-making. Attorney General Steve Marshall described LaCour as a “brilliant and principled lawyer” whose work has shaped some of the most consequential legal battles in recent years, emphasizing that his confirmation ensures the Northern District will benefit from LaCour’s intellect, integrity, and dedication to upholding the Constitution and the rule of law.