The U.S. Senate has confirmed Alabama Solicitor General Edmund “Eddie” LaCour Jr. as a federal judge for the Northern District of Alabama. The confirmation vote concluded at 51-47, filling the vacancy left by the retirement of Chief Judge L. Scott Coogler. LaCour, who has served as Alabama’s Solicitor General since 2019, now steps into a role that places him at the center of the state’s federal judiciary.
In his role as Solicitor General, LaCour led numerous high-profile appellate cases, including Allen v. Milligan, and argued before the U.S. Supreme Court three times. Over his career, he has filed more than 100 briefs, establishing a formidable record in both state and federal law. His experience has earned him recognition as a skilled litigator capable of navigating complex legal questions.
A native of Alabama, LaCour has an impressive academic background. He earned his bachelor’s degree summa cum laude, followed by a Master of Philosophy from Trinity College Dublin, and a law degree from Yale Law School. His academic achievements laid the foundation for a career marked by legal expertise and public service.
Early in his career, LaCour clerked for Judge William H. Pryor Jr. on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. He then joined private practice before serving in the Alabama Attorney General’s office. This combination of private and public sector experience helped shape his comprehensive understanding of both state and federal legal systems.
LaCour’s first nomination to the federal bench in 2020 was blocked, but his recent nomination gained strong support from key Alabama senators, including Katie Britt and Tommy Tuberville. Their endorsements were pivotal in guiding the nomination through the Senate confirmation process smoothly this time around.
His appointment follows a series of judicial confirmations in Alabama, including Bill Lewis and Hal Mooty. LaCour’s confirmation brings an experienced and accomplished legal mind to the federal bench, where he will now take on the responsibilities of shaping the legal landscape in the Northern District of Alabama for years to come.