MONTGOMERY, Ala. – U.S. Senators Katie Britt and Tommy Tuberville announced Tuesday that President Donald Trump has nominated three Alabamians for federal judgeships.
Senators play a key role in working with the White House to select presidential nominees for the bench.
Alabama Supreme Court Associate Justice Bill Lewis will be nominated as a district judge for the Middle District of Alabama. Lewis was recently appointed by Gov. Kay Ivey to the state’s high court to fill a vacancy. Prior to that, Lewis served on the Court of Civil Appeals and was the presiding judge of Alabama’s 19th Circuit.
Harold “Hal” Mooty will be nominated as a district judge for the Northern District of Alabama. Mooty is a partner at the Bradley Arant law firm where he specializes in business and commercial litigation.
Edmund “Eddie” LaCour will be nominated as a district judge for the Northern District of Alabama. He is currently Alabama’s solicitor general, a position that has required him to engage in significant federal litigation, including in the state’s cases involving transgender treatments for minors and redistricting.
Britt, who serves on the Senate Judiciary Committee, said each of these nominees will uphold the law and “make Alabama proud.”
“In order to maintain the credibility of the Judiciary, federal judges have a responsibility to faithfully interpret and apply the law in accordance with the Constitution and the laws that Congress has passed rather than seeking to legislate from the bench,” Britt said in a press release.
“I’m strongly supportive of President Trump’s nominees to fill three federal judicial vacancies in the great state of Alabama. I believe they will uphold the rule of law, honor the judicial oath, and keep Alabamians safe. I am confident they will serve our state well, and I look forward to their confirmations.”
The White House’s district-level judicial nominating process traditionally begins with a “blue sheet” analysis, in which the senators from the state affected offer their assessments of potential nominees. Support from a state’s senate delegation is critical for an individual’s nomination and eventual confirmation.
“The White House knocked it out of the park with these Alabama nominees,” Tuberville said in the release. “Each of these Alabama nominees are committed to restoring law and order and ensuring our state remains a safe place for all Alabamians. I am confident that these nominees will uphold the Constitution in every decision and refuse to allow the judicial system to be weaponized for political gain.”