The U.S. Senate confirmed Alabama Solicitor General Edmund LaCour as a federal judge for the Northern District of Alabama in a 51-47 vote that largely followed party lines. He fills the vacancy left by Chief Judge L. Scott Coogler and becomes part of a broader shift in Alabama’s federal judiciary. His confirmation concludes a nomination process that first began in 2020.
LaCour’s appointment comes amid several recent judicial confirmations supported by Alabama’s Republican delegation. Serving as Solicitor General under Attorney General Steve Marshall since 2019, LaCour handled major appellate cases, including Allen v. Milligan, a Supreme Court dispute over congressional redistricting. Supporters point to this experience as proof of his ability to manage complex constitutional cases.
His first nomination stalled in 2020 when then-Senator Doug Jones blocked the effort. With Alabama’s Senate seats now held by Republicans, the path to confirmation faced less resistance. President Trump renominated LaCour as part of a broader effort to fill federal vacancies with conservative-leaning judges experienced in appellate law.
Senators Katie Britt and Tommy Tuberville strongly backed the nomination. Britt described LaCour’s legal skill as “unparalleled,” noting he has practiced before every U.S. circuit court and the Supreme Court, filing over 100 briefs and arguing three cases. Tuberville praised his record as Solicitor General and predicted continued excellence on the bench.
LaCour previously worked at Kirkland & Ellis LLP, Bancroft PLLC, and Baker Botts LLP, handling high-level litigation. A Dothan native, he earned degrees from Yale Law School, Trinity College Dublin, and Birmingham-Southern College, and clerked for Judge William H. Pryor Jr. Attorney General Steve Marshall called him a “brilliant and principled lawyer,” emphasizing his commitment to constitutional law and public service.
