Federal Court Vacancies & Nominations, 115th Congress (2017-18)
Thus far in the 115th Congress, the president has submitted only one judicial nomination, that of Neil M. Gorsuch to fill the vacancy on the Supreme Court. By tradition, when a president submits a nomination to fill an appeals court or district court vacancy (similarly for U.S. Attorneys and U.S. Marshalls), the Senate Judiciary Committee then sends a "blue slip" to the nominee's home state senators seeking their approval. If one or both of them disapproves or fails to return the blue slip, then the likelihood is that the nomination will not be reported out of committee. Nominees that are reported out of committee are subject to confirmation (or rejection) by the full Senate.
For nominations (and confirmations) in the prior Congress (114th Congress), click here.
Listed below are current U.S. appellate and district court vacancies, and nominees to fill these vacancies in the 115th Congress. New nominations are listed within 24 hours of announcement by the White House.
File updated 7/20/18.
U.S. Supreme Court
One vacancy as result of Anthony M. Kennedy assuming senior status, 7/31/18. Brett M. Kavanaugh nominated to fill this vacancy, 7/10/18.
Court of Int'l Trade
Two vacancies. One vacancy as result of Donald C. Pogue assuming senior status, 7/1/14. Miller Baker nominated to fill this vacancy, 6/18/18. One vacancy as result of Richard K. Eaton assuming senior status, 8/22/14. Timothy M. Reif nominated to fill this vacancy, 6/18/18.
Second Circuit
Two vacancies. One vacancy as result of Richard Wesley assuming senior status, 8/1/2016. Richard J. Sullivan nominated to fill this vacancy, 5/7/18. One vacancy as result of Gerard Lynch assuming senior status, 9/5/16.
Third Circuit
Two vacancies. One vacancy as result of Julio M. Fuentes assuming senior status, 6/18/16. Paul B. Matey nominated to fill this position, 4/11/18. One vacancy as result of D. Michael Fisher assuming senior status, 2/1/17. David James Porter nominated to fill this position, 4/11/18.
Fourth Circuit
Two Vacancies. One vacancy as result of William B. Traxler Jr. assuming senior status, 8/31/18. A Marvin Quattlebaum Jr. nominated to fill this vacancy, 5/7/18.One vacancy as result of Dennis Shedd assuming senior status, 1/30/18. Julius Ness Richardson nominated to fill this vacancy, 5/7/18.
Fifth Circuit
Two vacancies. One vacancy as result of E. Grady Jolly assuming senior status, 10/3/17. One vacancy as result of retirement of Edward Prado, 4//2/18. Andrew S. Oldham nominated to fill this vacancy, 2/15/18.
Sixth Circuit
Two vacancies. One vacancy as result of Alice M. Batchelder assuming senior status. Eric E. Murphy nominated to fill this vacancy, 6/18/18. One vacancy as result of Deborah L. Cook assuming senior status. Chad A. Readler nominated to fill this vacancy, 6/18/18.
Eighth Circuit
One vacancy as result of Roger L. Wollman assuming senior status. Jonathan A. Kobes nominated to fill this vacancy, 6/11/18.
Ninth Circuit
Seven vacancies. One vacancy as result of Harry Pregerson assuming senior status, 12/11/15. One vacancy as result of Barry Silverman assuming senior status, 10/11/16 One vacancy as result of Diamuid F. O'Scannlain assuming senior status, 12/31/16. Ryan Wesley Bounds nominated to fill this vacancy, 9/8/17. One vacancy as result of retirement of Alex Kozinski, 12/18/17. One vacancy as result of Richard C. Tallman assuming senior status, 3/3/18. One vacancy as result of death of Stephen R. Reinhardt, 3/29/18. One vacancy as result of N. Randy Smith assuming senior status, 8/11/18. Ryan Douglas Nelson nominated to fill this position, 5/15/18.
Eleventh Circuit
One vacancy as result of Julie E. Carnes assuming senior status, 6/18/18. Britt Cagle Grant nominated to fill this position, 4/10/18.
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Northern District of Alabama
Two vacancies. One vacancy as result of Lynwood C. Smith Jr. assuming senior status, 8/31/13. Liles Clifton Burke nominated to fill this vacancy, 7/19/17. One vacancy as result of Virginia E. Hopkins assuming senior status, 6/22/18. Corey Landon Maze nominated to fill this position, 5/15/18.
Middle District of Alabama
Two vacancies. One vacancy as result of Myron H. Thompson assuming senior status, 8/22/13. Emily Coody Marks nominated to fill this vacancy, 9/8/17. One vacancy as result of resignation of Mark E. Fuller, 8/1/15. Andrew Lynn Brasher nominated to fill this position, 4/10/18.
Southern District of Alabama
Two vacancies. One vacancy as result of Calle V.S. Granade assuming senior status, 3/7/16. Jeffrey Uhlman Beaverstock nominated to fill this vacancy, 9/8/17. One vacancy as result of William Steele assuming senior status, 6/8/17. Terry Fitzgerald Moorer nominated to fill this vacancy, 9/8/17.
District of Alaska
One vacancy as result of Ralph R. Beistline assuming senior status, 12/31/15. Jonathan W. Katchen nominated to fill this position, 4/11/18.
Eastern District of Arkansas
One vacancy as result of J. Leon Holmes assuming senior status, 3/31/18.
District of Arizona
Three vacancies. One vacancy as result of Neil Vincent Wake assuming senior status, 7/5/16. Susan Brnovich nominated to fill this vacancy, 1/23/18. One vacancy as result of Susan R. Bolton assuming senior status, 9/1/16. Dominic Lanza nominated to fill this vacancy, 1/23/18. One vacancy as result of Cindy Jorgenson assuming senior status,
Central District of California
Six vacancies. One vacancy as result of retirement of Audrey B. Collins, 8/1/2014. One vacancy as result of Margaret Morrow assuming senior status, 10/29/15. One vacancy as result of Dean D. Pregerson assuming senior status, 1/28/16. One vacancy as result of Christina A. Snyder assuming senior status, 11/23/16. One vacancy as result of retirement of George King, 1/6/17. One vacancy as result of death of Beverly Reid O'Connell, 10/18/17.
Southern District of California
Three vacancies. One vacancy as result of Marilyn L. Huff assuming senior status, 9/30/16. One vacancy as result of Roger Benitez assuming senior status, 12/13/17. One vacancy as result of John A. Huston assuming senior status, 2/6/18.
District of Colorado
One vacancy as result of Robert E. Blackburn assuming senior status, 4/12/16. Daniel D. Domenico nominated to fill this vacancy, 10/2/17.
District of Columbia
One vacancy as result of retirement of Richard W. Roberts, 3/16/16.
District of Connecticut
One vacancy as result of Robert N. Chatigny assuming senior status, 1/1/17. Kari A. Dooley nominated to fill this vacancy, 12/20/17.
District of Delaware
Two vacancies. One vacancy as result of Sue Robinson assuming senior status, 2/3/17. Colm F. Connolly nominated to fill this vacancy, 12/20/17. One vacancy as result of Gregory Sleet assuming senior status, 5/1/17. Maryellen Noreika nominated to fill this vacancy, 12/20/17.
Northern District of Florida
Two vacancies. One vacancy as result of Richard Smoak assuming senior status, 12/31/15. T. Kent Wetherell II nominated to fill this vacancy, 5/7/18. One vacancy as result of Robert L. Hinkle assuming senior status, 11/7/16. Allen Cothrel Winsor nominated to fill this position, 4/10/18.
Middle District of Florida
Three vacancies. One vacancy as result of John Steele assuming senior status, 6/3/15. Wendy Williams Berger nominated to fill this position, 4/10/18. One vacancy as result of Anne C. Conway assuming senior status, 8/1/15. William F. Jung nominated to fill this vacancy, 12/21/17. One vacancy as result of James D. Whittermore assuming senior status, 8/29/17. Thomas P. Barber nominated to fill this vacancy, 5/7/18.
Southern District of Florida
Five vacancies. One vacancy as result of elevation of Robin S. Rosenbaum to Court of Appeals for 11th Circuit, 5/12/14. Rodney Smith nominated to fill this vacancy, 5/7/18. One vacancy as result of James Cohn assuming senior status, 8/5/16. One vacancy as result of William J. Zloch assuming senior status, 1/31/17. Rudolfo Armando Ruiz II nominated to fill this vacancy, 5/7/18. One vacancy as result of Joan Lenard assuming senior status, 7/1/17. Roy Kalman Altman nominated to fill this vacancy, 5/7/18. One vacancy as result of Kenneth A. Marra assuming senior status, 8/1/17.
Northern District of Georgia
One vacancy as result of Harold Murphy assuming senior status, 3/31/17. William M. Ray II nominated to fill this vacancy, 7/13/17.
Southern District of Georgia
One vacancy as result of William T. Moore Jr. assuming senior status, 2/28//17. R. Stan Baker nominated to fill this vacancy, 9/8/17.
District of Hawaii
One vacancy as result of Susan Oki Mollway assuming senior status, 11/6/15. Jill A. Otake nominated to fill this vacancy, 12/21/17.
Northern District of Illinois
Four vacancies. One vacancy as result of James B. Zagel assuming senior status, 10/21/16. Steven C. Seeger nominated to fill this vacancy, 6/18/18. One vacancy as result of John Darrah assuming senior status, 3/1/17. Martha Marie Pacold nominated to fill this vacancy, 6/11/18.One vacancy as result of retirement of Samuel Der-Yeghiayan, 2/17/18. One vacancy as result of elevation of Amy St. Eve to Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, 5/14/18. Mary M. Roland nominated to fill this vacancy, 6/18/18.
Northern District of Indiana
Two vacancies. One vacancy as result of Robert L. Miller Jr. assuming senior status, 1/11/16. One vacancy as result of Joseph Van Bokkelen assuming senior status, 9/29/17. Holly A. Brady nominated to fill this position, 4/10/18.
Southern District of Indiana
Two vacancies. One vacancy as result of Sarah Evans Barker assuming senior status, 6/30/14. James R. Sweeney II nominated to fill this vacancy, 11/1/17. One vacancy as result of retirement of William T. Lawrence, 7/1/18. James Patrick Hanlon nominated to fill this position, 4/11/18.
Northern District of Iowa
One vacancy as result of Linda Reade assuming senior status, 10/1/17. Charles J. Williams nominated to fill this vacancy, 2/15/18.
District of Kansas
One vacancy as result of Kathryn H. Vratil assuming senior status, 4/22/14. Holly Lou Teeter nominated to fill this vacancy, 8/3/17.
Eastern District of Louisiana
Three vacancies. One vacancy as result of Ivan Lemelle assuming senior status, 6/29/15. Barry W. Ashe nominated to fill this vacancy, 10/2/17. One vacancy as result of Helen G. Berrigan assuming senior status, 8/23/15. Wendy Vitter nominated to fill this vacancy, 1/23/18. One vacancy as result of elevation of Kurt Engelhardt to Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, 5/9/18.
Western District of Louisiana
Four vacancies. One vacancy as result of Richard Haik assuming senior status, 3/6/15. Michael J. Juneau nominated to fill this vacancy, 8/3/17. One vacancy as result of Rebecca Doherty assuming senior status, 6/5/17. Robert R. Summerhays nominated to fill this vacancy, 1/23/18. One vacancy as result of Patricia Head Minaldi assuming senior status (inactive), 7/31/17. One vacancy as result of Dee D. Drell assuming senior status, 11/30/17.
District of Maine
One vacancy as result of John Woodcock assuming senior status, 6/27/17. Lance E. Walker nominated to fill this vacancy, 4/10/18.
District of Maryland
One vacancy as result of William D. Quarles Jr. assuming senior status, 2/1/16. Stephanie A. Gallagher nominated to fill this vacancy, 6/11/18.
District of Massachusetts
Two vacancies. One vacancy as result of Douglas Woodlock assuming senior status, 6/1/15. One vacancy as result of George O'Toole assuming senior status, 1/1/18.
Eastern District of Michigan
One vacancy as result of Gerald E. Rosen assuming senior status, 10/26/16.
Western District of Michigan
One vacancy as result of Robert H. Bell assuming senior status, 1/31/17.
District of Minnesota
Two vacancies. One vacancy as result of Ann Montgomery assuming senior status, 5/31/16. Nancy E. Brasel nominated to fill this vacancy, 2/15/18. One vacancy as result of Donovan W. Frank assuming senior status, 10/31/16. Eric C. Tostrud nominated to fill this vacancy, 2/15/18.
Southern District of Mississippi
One vacancy as result of Louis Guirola Jr. assuming senior status, 3/23/18.
Eastern District of Missouri
One vacancy as result of retirement of Carol E. Jackson, 8/31/17. Stephen R. Clark Sr. nominated to fill this position, 4/11/18.
District of Nevada
Two vacancies. One vacancy as result of Robert Clive Jones assuming senior status, 2/1/16. One vacancy as result of James C. Mahan assuming senior status, 6/29/18.
District of New Jersey
Four vacancies. One vacancy as result of William Martini assuming senior status, 2/10/14. One vacancy as result of retirement of Faith S. Hochberg, 3/6/15. One vacancy as result of Jerome Simandle assuming senior status, 5/31/17. One vacancy as result of Peter Sheridan assuming senior status, 6/14/18.
District of New Mexico
One vacancy as result of Christina Armijo assuming senior status, 2/7/18.
Northern District of New York
One vacancy as result of Gary L. Sharpe assuming senior status, 1/1/16.
Eastern District of New York
Four vacancies. One vacancy as result of Carol Bagley Amon assuming senior status, 11/30/16. Rachel P. Kovner nominated to fill this position, 5/15/18. One vacancy as result of Sandra Feuerstein assuming senior status, 1/21/15. Gary Richard Brown nominated to fill this position, 5/15/18. One vacancy as result of resignation of John Gleeson, 3/9/16. Diane Gujarati nominated to fill this position, 5/15/18. One vacancy as result of Eric Vitaliano assuming senior status, 2/28/17. Eric Ross Komitee nominated to fill this position, 5/15/18.
Southern District of New York
Four vacancies. One vacancy as result of Paul A. Crotty assuming senior status, 8/1/'15. Lewis J. Liman nominated to fill this position, 5/15/18. One vacancy as result of Loretta Preska assuming senior status, 3/1/17. Mary K. Wyskocil nominated to fill this position, 5/15/18. One vacancy as result of P. Kevin Castel assuming senior status, 8/5/17. One vacancy as result of William H. Pauley III assuming senior status, 3/1/18.
Western District of New York
One vacancy as result of William M. Skretney assuming senior status, 3/8/15. John L. Sinatra Jr. nominated to fill this position, 5/15/18.
Eastern District of North Carolina
One vacancy as result of Malcolm J. Howard assuming senior status, 12/31/05. Thomas A. Farr nominated to fill this vacancy, 7/13/17.
Western District of North Carolina
One vacancy as result of Richard L. Voorhees assuming senior status, 8/31/17. Kenneth D. Bell nominated to fill this position, 4/11/18.
District of North Dakota
One vacancy as result of elevation of Ralph Erickson to U.S. Court of Appeals for 8th Circuit, 9/23/17.
Northern District of Ohio
One vacancy as result of Donald C. Nugent assuming senior status, 1/1/17. Pamela A. Barker nominated to fill this position, 4/11/18.
Southern District of Ohio
Three vacancies. One vacancy as result of retirement of Gregory L. Frost, 5/2/16. Sarah Duggett Morrison nominated to fill this position, 4/11/18. One vacancy as result of Thomas M. Rose assuming senior status, 6/30/17. One vacancy as result of Susan Dlott assuming senior status, 5/31/18.
Eastern District of Oklahoma
One vacancy as result of James H. Payne assuming senior status, 8/1/17. John M. O'Connor nominated on 4/10/18 to serve on the Norther, Eastern and Western Districts of Oklahoma.
Western District of Oklahoma
Two vacancies. One vacancy as result of David L. Russell assuming senior status, 7/7/13. Patrick R. Wyrick nominated to fill this position, 4/10/18. One vacancy as result of Robin Cauthron assuming senior status, 7/14/15. Charles B. Goodwin nominated to fill this vacancy, 7/13/17.
District of Oregon
One vacancy as result of Anna J. Brown assuming senior status, 7/27/17. Karin J. Immergut nominated to fill this vacancy, 6/11/18.
Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Four vacancies. One vacancy as result of Mary A. McLaughlin assuming senior status, 11/18/13. One vacancy as result of elevation of Luis Felipe Restrepo, 11/11/16. Chad F. Kenney nominated to fill this vacancy, 12/20/17.One vacancy as result of James Gardner assuming senior status, 4/3/17. Joshua Wolson nominated to fill this position, 5/15/18. One vacancy as result of Legrome Davis assuming senior status, 9/28/17.
Western District of Pennsylvania
Six vacancies. One vacancy as result of death of Gary L. Lancaster, 4/24/13. Marilyn J. Horan nominated to fill this vacancy, 12/20/17. One vacancy as result of resignation of Sean J. McLaughlin, 8/16/13. One vacancy as result of Terrence F. McVerry assuming senior status, 8/16/13. Peter J. Phipps nominated to fill this vacancy, 2/15/18. One vacancy as result of Kim Gibson assuming senior status, 6/3/16. One vacancy as result of David Cercone assuming senior status, 11/24/17. One vacancy as result of Arthur Schwab assuming senior status, 1/1/18.
District of Puerto Rico
One vacancy as result of retirement of Jose Fuste, 6/1/16. Raul M. Arias-Marxuach nominated to fill this position, 4/11/18.
District of Rhode Island
One vacancy as result of Mary M. Lisi assuming senior status, 10/1/15. Mary S. McElroy nominated to fill this position, 4/11/18.
Eastern District of Tennessee
One vacancy as result of J. Ronnie Greer assuming senior status, 6/30/18
Middle District of Tennessee
One vacancy as result of Todd Campbell assuming senior status, 12/1/16. Eli J. Richardson nominated to fill this vacancy, 7/13/17.
Western District of Tennessee
One vacancy as result of J. Daniel Breen assuming senior status, 3/18/17. Mark S. Norris Sr. nominated to fill this vacancy, 7/13/17.
Northern District of Texas
Three vacancies. One vacancy as result of Terry Means assuming senior status, 7/3/13. One vacancy as result of Samuel Ray Cummings assuming senior status, 12/31/14. One vacancy as result of Mary Lou Robinson assuming senior status, 2/3/16. Matthew J. Kacsmaryk nominated to fill this vacancy, 9/8/17.
Eastern District of Texas
Four vacancies. One vacancy as result of Richard Schell assuming senior status, 3/10/15. One vacancy as result of retirement of Leonard Davis, 5/15/15. J. Campbell Barker nominated to fill this vacancy, 1/23/18.One vacancy as result of Michael H. Schneider assuming senior status, 1/7/16. Jeremy D. Kernodle nominated to fill this vacancy, 1/23/18. One vacancy as result of Ronald H. Clark assuming senior status, 2/28/18. Michael J. Truncale nominated to fill this vacancy, 1/23/18.
Southern District of Texas
Two vacancies. One vacancy as result of Janis Graham Jack assuming senior status, 6/1/11. David Stephenj Morales nominated to fill this position, 4/11/18. One vacancy as result of Melinda Harmon assuming senior status, 3/31/18.
Western District of Texas
Two vacancies. One vacancy as result of retirement of Walter S. Smith Jr., 9/14/16. Alan D. Albright nominated to fill this vacancy, 1/23/18. One vacancy as result of Sam Sparks assuming senior status, 12/31/17.
District of Utah
One vacancy as result of Brian T. Stewart assuming senior status, 9/1/14. Howard C. Nielson Jr. nominated to fill this vacancy, 9/28/17.
Eastern District of Virginia
Two vacancies. One vacancy as result of retirement of Gerald B. Lee, 9/30/17. Rossie David Alston Jr. nominated to fill this vacancy, 6/18/18. One vacancy as result of Henry Hudson assuming senior status, 6/1/18.
Western District of Virginia
One vacancy as result of Glen Conrad assuming senior status, 12/11/17.
Western District of Washington
Three vacancies. One vacancy as result of Marsha J. Pechman assuming senior status, 2/6/16. One vacancy as result of Robert S. Lasnik assuming senior status, 1/27/16. One vacancy as result of James L. Robart assuming senior status, 6/28/16.
Northern District of West Virginia
One vacancy as result of Irene M. Keeley assuming senior status, 8/12/17. Thomas S. Kleeh nominated to fill this vacancy, 2/15/18.
Eastern District of Wisconsin
One vacancy as result of Rudolph T. Randa assuming senior status, 2/5/16. Gordon P. Giampietro nominated to fill this vacancy, 12/20/17.