The U.S. Senate has confirmed Alabama Solicitor General Edmund LaCour as a federal judge for the Northern District of Alabama, following a 51-47 vote that largely aligned with party lines. LaCour fills the vacancy left by Chief Judge L. Scott Coogler, who retired earlier this year, marking a notable addition to Alabama’s federal judiciary. His appointment caps years of legal experience and a politically complex nomination process, reflecting both his professional credentials and the influence of partisan dynamics in judicial confirmations.

LaCour’s confirmation follows a broader trend of judicial appointments by Alabama’s Republican delegation, including recent confirmations of former Alabama Supreme Court Justice Bill Lewis and attorney Hal Mooty. As Solicitor General under Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall since 2019, LaCour handled major appellate cases, most prominently Allen v. Milligan, a Supreme Court case on congressional redistricting. His appellate experience was highlighted as evidence of his ability to adjudicate complex federal matters.

The path to confirmation was delayed after his initial nomination in 2020 during the Trump administration faced opposition from then-Senator Doug Jones. With both of Alabama’s Senate seats now held by Republicans, the nomination moved forward with less resistance. Senators Katie Britt and Tommy Tuberville praised LaCour’s legal record, noting his admission to practice before every U.S. circuit court of appeals and the Supreme Court, where he has filed over 100 briefs and argued three cases.

LaCour’s professional background combines appellate advocacy and private practice. He previously worked as a partner at Kirkland & Ellis LLP in Washington, D.C., and held positions at Bancroft PLLC and Baker Botts LLP, gaining experience in constitutional and civil litigation. In the Attorney General’s Office, he progressed from deputy solicitor general to solicitor general, overseeing high-stakes appellate cases and earning a reputation for constitutional expertise and precision.

Educationally, LaCour is a native of Dothan, Alabama, and holds a J.D. from Yale Law School, an M.Phil. from Trinity College Dublin, and a summa cum laude bachelor’s degree from Birmingham-Southern College. He clerked for Judge William H. Pryor Jr. on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit, further shaping his appellate insight. Attorney General Marshall described LaCour as a “brilliant and principled lawyer” whose confirmation strengthens the Northern District of Alabama with intellect, integrity, and dedication to upholding the Constitution.