The U.S. Senate has confirmed Alabama Solicitor General Edmund “Eddie” LaCour Jr. to serve as a federal judge for the Northern District of Alabama, approving his appointment in a narrow 51–47 vote. He succeeds retiring Chief Judge L. Scott Coogler, filling a key vacancy on the bench.
LaCour has been Alabama’s Solicitor General since 2019, gaining national recognition for his work on major appellate cases. During his tenure, he argued three times before the U.S. Supreme Court and filed more than 100 appellate briefs. Among his most prominent cases was Allen v. Milligan, a landmark ruling involving voting rights and congressional redistricting. His record in both state and federal courts has earned him a reputation for precision, discipline, and rigorous legal strategy.
A native of Alabama, LaCour graduated summa cum laude with his bachelor’s degree before earning a Master of Philosophy from Trinity College Dublin and a law degree from Yale Law School. His academic path laid the foundation for a career marked by intellectual rigor and public service.
After law school, he clerked for Judge William H. Pryor Jr. on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, an experience that deepened his understanding of federal judicial processes. He later transitioned into private practice before joining the Alabama Attorney General’s Office, where he became one of the state’s leading legal voices.
LaCour was originally nominated for a federal judgeship in 2020, but the effort stalled before a final vote. His second nomination, however, advanced smoothly with strong support from Alabama Senators Katie Britt and Tommy Tuberville, who praised his legal acumen and commitment to constitutional principles.
His confirmation adds to a series of recent judicial appointments in the state, joining newly confirmed judges Bill Lewis and Hal Mooty. Together, these additions signal a significant generational shift in the Northern District’s federal judiciary.
As he steps into his new role, LaCour is expected to help shape Alabama’s legal landscape for decades to come.
