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United States District Court for the District of Columbia
United States federal district court

The United States District Court for the District of Columbia (in case citations, D.D.C.) is a federal district court in Washington, D.C. Along with the United States District Court for the District of Hawaii and the High Court of American Samoa, it also sometimes handles federal issues that arise in the territory of American Samoa, which has no local federal court or territorial court.

Appeals from the District Court are taken to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit except for patent claims and claims against the U.S. government under the Tucker Act, which are appealed to the Federal Circuit.

The acting United States attorney for the District of Columbia is Edward R. Martin Jr. after Matthew M. Graves resigned.

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History

The court was established by Congress in 1863 as the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia, replacing the abolished circuit and district courts of the District of Columbia that had been in place since 1801. The court consisted of four justices, including a chief justice, and was granted the same powers and jurisdiction as the earlier circuit court. Any of the justices could convene a United States circuit court or a local criminal court. In 1936, Congress renamed the court the District Court of the United States for the District of Columbia. Its current name was adopted in 1948, and from then on justices were known as judges.3

Originally housed in the former District of Columbia City Hall, the court now sits in the E. Barrett Prettyman Federal Courthouse located at 333 Constitution Avenue, N.W., in Washington, D.C. The District has no local district attorney or equivalent, and so local prosecutorial matters also fall into the jurisdiction of the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia. Assistant United States attorneys (AUSAs) are tasked with prosecution of not only federal crimes but also crimes that would normally be left to the state prosecutor's discretion. The District Court has the largest U.S. Attorney's Office in the nation, with around 250 assistant U.S. attorneys.

Current judges

As of January 2, 2025[update]:

#TitleJudgeDuty stationBornTerm of serviceAppointed by
ActiveChiefSenior
98Chief JudgeJames BoasbergWashington, D.C.19632011–present2023–presentObama
100District JudgeRudolph ContrerasWashington, D.C.19622012–presentObama
102District JudgeChristopher R. CooperWashington, D.C.19662014–presentObama
103District JudgeTanya ChutkanWashington, D.C.19622014–presentObama
104District JudgeRandolph MossWashington, D.C.19612014–presentObama
105District JudgeAmit MehtaWashington, D.C.19712014–presentObama
106District JudgeTimothy J. KellyWashington, D.C.19692017–presentTrump
107District JudgeTrevor N. McFaddenWashington, D.C.19782017–presentTrump
108District JudgeDabney L. FriedrichWashington, D.C.19672017–presentTrump
109District JudgeCarl J. NicholsWashington, D.C.19702019–presentTrump
111District JudgeJia M. CobbWashington, D.C.19802021–presentBiden
112District JudgeAna C. ReyesWashington, D.C.19742023–presentBiden
113District JudgeLoren AliKhanWashington, D.C.19832023–presentBiden
114District JudgeAmir AliWashington, D.C.19852024–presentBiden
115District JudgeSparkle L. SooknananWashington, D.C.19832025–presentBiden
77Senior JudgeThomas F. Hoganinactive19381982–20082001–20082008–presentReagan
81Senior JudgeRoyce LamberthWashington, D.C.San Antonio, Texas419431987–20132008–20132013–presentReagan
83Senior JudgePaul L. FriedmanWashington, D.C.19441994–20092009–presentClinton
85Senior JudgeEmmet G. SullivanWashington, D.C.19471994–20212021–presentClinton
88Senior JudgeColleen Kollar-KotellyWashington, D.C.19431997–20232023–presentClinton
89Senior JudgeHenry H. Kennedy Jr.inactive19481997–20112011–presentClinton
90Senior JudgeRichard W. Robertsinactive19531998–20162013–20162016–presentClinton
91Senior JudgeEllen Segal Huvelleinactive19481999–20142014–presentClinton
92Senior JudgeReggie WaltonWashington, D.C.19492001–20152015–presentG.W. Bush
93Senior JudgeJohn D. BatesWashington, D.C.19462001–20142014–presentG.W. Bush
94Senior JudgeRichard J. LeonWashington, D.C.19492002–20162016–presentG.W. Bush
95Senior JudgeRosemary M. Collyerinactive19452002–20162016–presentG.W. Bush
96Senior JudgeBeryl HowellWashington, D.C.19562010–20242016–20232024–presentObama
99Senior JudgeAmy Berman JacksonWashington, D.C.19542011–20232023–presentObama

Former judges

#JudgeStateBorn–diedActive serviceChief JudgeSenior statusAppointed byReason fortermination
1David Kellogg CartterDC1812–18871863–18871863–1887 Lincolndeath
2George P. FisherDC1817–18991863–1870 Lincolnresignation
3Abram B. OlinDC1808–18791863–1879 Lincolnretirement
4Andrew WylieDC1814–1905186351863–18856 Lincoln Lincolnconfirmation reconsideredretirement
5David Campbell HumphreysDC1817–18791870–1879 Grantdeath
6Arthur MacArthur Sr.DC1815–18961870–1887 Grantretirement
7Alexander Burton HagnerDC1826–19151879–1903 Hayesretirement
8Walter Smith CoxDC1826–19021879–1899 Hayesretirement
9Charles Pinckney JamesDC1818–18991879–18927 Hayesretirement
10William Matthews MerrickDC1818–18891885–18898 Clevelanddeath
11Martin V. MontgomeryDC1840–18981887–18929 Clevelandresignation
12Edward Franklin BinghamDC1828–19071887–1903101887–1903 Clevelandretirement
13Andrew Coyle BradleyDC1844–19021889–1902B. Harrisondeath
14Louis E. McComasDC1846–19071892–189911B. Harrisonresignation
15Charles Cleaves ColeDC1841–19051893–1901B. Harrisonresignation
16Harry M. ClabaughDC1856–19141899–1903 McKinleyappointment as chief justice
16.1Harry M. ClabaughDC1856–19141903–1914121903–1914T. Rooseveltdeath
17Job BarnardDC1844–19231899–191413 McKinleyretirement
18Thomas H. AndersonDC1848–19161901–191614 McKinley15T. Roosevelt16death
19Ashley Mulgrave GouldDC1859–19211902–1921T. Rooseveltdeath
20Jeter Connelly PritchardDC1857–19211903–1904T. Rooseveltelevation to 4th Cir.
21Daniel Thew WrightDC1864–19431903–1914T. Rooseveltresignation
22Wendell Phillips StaffordDC1861–19531904–193117T. Rooseveltretirement
23J. Harry CovingtonDC1870–19421914–19181914–1918 Wilsonresignation
24Walter I. McCoyDC1859–19331914–1918 Wilsonappointment as chief justice
24.1Walter I. McCoyDC1859–19331918–19291918–1929 Wilsonretirement
25Frederick Lincoln SiddonsDC1864–19311915–1931 Wilsondeath
26William HitzDC1872–19351916–193118 Wilsonelevation to D.C. Cir.
27Thomas Jennings BaileyDC1867–19631918–19501950–1963 Wilsondeath
28Adolph A. Hoehling Jr.DC1868–19411921–1927 Hardingresignation
29Peyton GordonDC1870–19461928–19411941–1946 Coolidgedeath
30Alfred Adams WheatDC1867–19431929–1930 Hooverappointment as chief justice
30.1Alfred Adams WheatDC1867–19431930–19411930–19411941–1943 Hooverdeath
31Jesse Corcoran AdkinsDC1879–19551930–19461946–1955 Hooverdeath
32Oscar Raymond LuhringDC1879–19441930–1944 Hooverdeath
33Joseph Winston CoxDC1875–19391930–1939 Hooverdeath
34James McPherson ProctorDC1882–19531931–1948 Hooverelevation to D.C. Cir.
35F. Dickinson LettsDC1875–19651931–1961191958–19591961–1965 Hooverdeath
36Daniel William O'DonoghueDC1876–19481931–1946201946–1948 Hooverdeath
37Bolitha James LawsDC1891–19581938–1945F. Rooseveltappointment as chief justice
37.1Bolitha James LawsDC1891–19581945–19481945–1948F. Rooseveltappointment as district judge
37.2Bolitha James LawsDC1891–19581948–19581948–1958operation of lawdeath
38Thomas Alan GoldsboroughDC1877–19511939–1951F. Rooseveltdeath
39James Ward MorrisDC1890–19601939–1960F. Rooseveltdeath
40David Andrew PineDC1891–19701940–19651959–19611965–1970F. Rooseveltdeath
41Matthew Francis McGuireDC1898–19861941–19661961–19661966–1986F. Rooseveltdeath
42Edward C. EicherDC1878–19441942–19441942–1944F. Rooseveltdeath
43Henry Albert SchweinhautDC1902–19701944–19561956–1970F. Rooseveltdeath
44Alexander HoltzoffDC1886–19691945–19671967–1969 Trumandeath
45Richmond Bowling KeechDC1896–19861946–19662119661966–1986 Trumandeath
46Edward Matthew CurranDC1903–19881946–1971221966–19711971–1988 Trumandeath
47Edward Allen TammDC1906–19851948–196523 Trumanelevation to D.C. Cir.
48James Robert KirklandDC1903–19581949–195824 Trumandeath
49Burnita Shelton MatthewsDC1894–19881949–1968251968–1988 Trumandeath
50Charles F. McLaughlinDC1887–19761949–1964261964–1976 Trumandeath
51Walter M. BastianDC1891–19751950–195427 Trumanelevation to D.C. Cir.
52Luther YoungdahlDC1896–19781951–19661966–1978 Trumandeath
53Joseph Charles McGarraghyDC1897–19751954–19671967–1975 Eisenhowerdeath
54John SiricaDC1904–19921957–19771971–19741977–1992 Eisenhowerdeath
55George Luzerne Hart Jr.DC1905–19841958–1979281974–19751979–1984 Eisenhowerdeath
56Leonard Patrick WalshDC1904–19801959–19711971–1980 Eisenhowerdeath
57William Blakely JonesDC1907–19791962–19771975–19771977–1979 Kennedydeath
58Spottswood William Robinson IIIDC1916–19981964–196629L. Johnsonelevation to D.C. Cir.
59Howard Francis CorcoranDC1906–19891965–19771977–1989L. Johnsondeath
60William B. BryantDC1911–20051965–19821977–19811982–2005L. Johnsondeath
61Oliver GaschDC1906–19991965–19811981–1999L. Johnsondeath
62John Lewis Smith Jr.DC1912–19921966–19831981–19821983–1992L. Johnsondeath
63Aubrey Eugene Robinson Jr.DC1922–20001966–19921982–19921992–2000L. Johnsondeath
64Joseph Cornelius WaddyDC1911–19781967–1978L. Johnsondeath
65Gerhard GesellDC1910–19931967–19931993–1993L. Johnsondeath
66June Lazenby GreenDC1914–20011968–19841984–2001L. Johnsondeath
67John H. PrattDC1910–19951968–19891989–1995L. Johnsondeath
68Barrington D. ParkerDC1915–19931969–19851985–1993 Nixondeath
69Charles Robert RicheyDC1923–19971971–19971997–1997 Nixondeath
70Thomas Aquinas FlanneryDC1918–20071971–19851985–2007 Nixondeath
71Louis F. OberdorferDC1919–20131977–19921992–2013 Carterdeath
72Harold H. GreeneDC1923–20001978–19951995–2000 Carterdeath
73John Garrett PennDC1932–20071979–19981992–19971998–2007 Carterdeath
74Joyce Hens GreenDC1928–20241979–19951995–2024 Carterdeath
75Norma Holloway JohnsonDC1932–20111980–20011997–20012001–2003 Carterretirement
76Thomas Penfield JacksonDC1937–20131982–20022002–2004 Reaganretirement
78Stanley S. HarrisMD1927–20211983–19961996–2001 Reaganretirement
79George Hughes RevercombVA1929–19931985–1993 Reagandeath
80Stanley SporkinMD1932–20201985–19991999–2000 Reaganretirement
82Michael BoudinDC1939–20251990–1992G. H. W. Bushresignation
84Gladys KesslerDC1938–20231994–20072007–2023 Clintondeath
86Ricardo M. UrbinaDC1946–20241994–20112011–2012 Clintonretirement
87James RobertsonDC1938–20191994–20082008–2010 Clintonretirement
97Robert L. WilkinsDC1963–present2010–2014 Obamaelevation to D.C. Cir.
101Ketanji Brown JacksonDC1970–present2013–2021 Obamaelevation to D.C. Cir.
110Florence Y. PanDC1966–present2021–2022 Bidenelevation to D.C. Cir.

Chief judges

Chief
as Chief Justice
Cartter1863–1887
Bingham1887–1903
Clabaugh1903–1914
Covington1914–1918
McCoy1918–1929
Wheat1930–1941
Eicher1942–1944
Laws1945–1948
as Chief Judge
Laws1948–1958
Letts1958–1959
Pine1959–1961
McGuire1961–1966
Keech1966
Curran1966–1971
Sirica1971–1974
Hart1974–1975
Jones1975–1977
Bryant1977–1981
Smith1981–1982
A. Robinson1982–1992
Penn1992–1997
Johnson1997–2001
Hogan2001–2008
Lamberth2008–2013
Roberts2013–2016
Howell2016–2023
Boasberg2023–present

Chief judges have administrative responsibilities with respect to their district court. Unlike the Supreme Court, where one justice is specifically nominated to be chief, the office of chief judge rotates among the district court judges. To be chief, a judge must have been in active service on the court for at least one year, be under the age of 65, and have not previously served as chief judge.

A vacancy is filled by the judge highest in seniority among the group of qualified judges. The chief judge serves for a term of seven years, or until age 70, whichever occurs first. The age restrictions are waived if no members of the court would otherwise be qualified for the position.

When the office was created in 1948, the chief judge was the longest-serving judge who had not elected to retire, on what has since 1958 been known as senior status, or declined to serve as chief judge. After August 6, 1959, judges could not become or remain chief after turning 70 years old. The current rules have been in operation since October 1, 1982.

Succession of seats

  • Associate Justices Clabaugh, McCoy, Wheat and Laws were elevated to Chief Justice.
  • Chief Justice Laws was assigned to the new Seat 13 by operation of law upon the abolition of the Chief Justice Seat 1.
  • Judge Chutkan was assigned to the new Seat 17 as Judge Bates assumed duties as Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts (28 U.S.C. § 133(b)).3031 Seat 11 was then abolished as Bates assumed senior status,32 then Bates returned full-time to the court as senior judge.33
Seat 1
Seat established on March 3, 1863 by 12 Stat. 762
Chief Justice
Cartter1863–1887
Bingham1887–1903
Clabaugh (Chief)1903–1914
Covington1914–1918
McCoy (Chief)1918–1929
Wheat (Chief)1930–1941
Eicher1942–1944
Laws (Chief)1945–1948
Chief Justice abolished on September 1, 1948 by 62 Stat. 869, 985
Seat 2
Seat established on March 3, 1863 by 12 Stat. 762
Fisher1863–1870
Humphreys1870–1879
James1879–1892
Cole1893–1901
Anderson1902–1916
Hitz1917–1931
Proctor1931–1948
Tamm1949–1965
Gasch1965–1981
T. Jackson1982–2002
Collyer2002–2016
Kelly2017–present
Seat 3
Seat established on March 3, 1863 by 12 Stat. 762
Olin1863–1879
Hagner1879–1903
Wright1903–1914
Siddons1915–1931
O'Donoghue1932–1946
Curran1947–1971
Richey1971–1997
Roberts1998–2016
Nichols2019–present
Seat 4
Seat established on March 3, 1863 by 12 Stat. 762
Wylie1863–1885
Merrick1885–1889
Bradley1889–1902
Gould1902–1921
Hoehling Jr.1921–1927
Gordon1928–1941
McGuire1941–1966
A. Robinson, Jr.1966–1992
Urbina1994–2011
Contreras2012–present
Seat 5
Seat established on June 21, 1870 by 16 Stat. 160
MacArthur, Sr.1870–1887
Montgomery1888–1892
McComas1893–1899
Clabaugh (Associate)1899–1903
Pritchard1903–1904
Stafford1904–1931
Letts1932–1961
Jones1962–1977
Oberdorfer1977–1992
Sullivan1994–2021
Cobb2021–present
Seat 6
Seat established on February 25, 1879 by 20 Stat. 320
W. Cox1879–1899
Barnard1899–1914
McCoy (Associate)1914–1918
Bailey1918–1950
Bastian1950–1954
McGarraghy1954–1967
Parker1969–1985
Lamberth1987–2013
Cooper2014–present
Seat 7
Seat established on December 20, 1928 by 45 Stat. 1056
Wheat (Associate)1929–1930
Adkins1930–1946
Keech1947–1966
Waddy1967–1978
Penn1979–1998
Huvelle1999–2014
Mehta2014–present
Seat 8
Seat established on June 19, 1930 by 46 Stat. 785
Luhring1930–1944
Schweinhaut1944–1956
Sirica1957–1977
Greene1978–1995
Kollar-Kotelly1997–2023
Reyes2023–present
Seat 9
Seat established on June 19, 1930 by 46 Stat. 785
J. Cox1930–1939
Pine1940–1965
Bryant1965–1982
Hogan1982–2008
Boasberg2011–present
Seat 10
Seat established on May 31, 1938 by 52 Stat. 584
Laws (Associate)1938–1945
Holtzoff1945–1967
Pratt1968–1989
Boudin1990–1992
Kessler1994–2007
A. Jackson2011–2023
AliKhan2023–present
Seat 11
Seat established on May 31, 1938 by 52 Stat. 584
Goldsborough1939–1951
Youngdahl1951–1966
Smith Jr.1966–1983
Harris1983–1996
Bates2001–2014
Seat 11 abolished on October 12, 2014 (Bates assumed senior status34)
Seat 12
Seat established on May 31, 1938 by 52 Stat. 584
Morris1939–1960
S. Robinson III1964–1966
Gesell1967–1993
Friedman1994–2009
Howell2010–2024
Ali2024–present
Seat 13
Seat established on September 1, 1948 by 62 Stat. 869
Laws (Judge)1948–1958
Walsh1959–1971
Flannery1971–1985
Revercomb1985–1993
Robertson1994–2008
Wilkins2010–2014
Moss2014–present
Seat 14
Seat established on August 3, 1949 by 63 Stat. 493
McLaughlin1949–1964
Corcoran1965–1977
J. H. Green1979–1995
Kennedy Jr.1997–2011
K. Jackson2013–2021
Pan2021–2022
Sooknanan2025–present
Seat 15
Seat established on August 3, 1949 by 63 Stat. 493
Matthews1950–1968
J. L. Green1968–1984
Sporkin1985–1999
Walton2001–2015
Friedrich2017–present
Seat 16
Seat established on August 3, 1949 by 63 Stat. 493
Kirkland1950–1958
Hart Jr.1959–1979
Johnson1980–2001
Leon2002–2016
McFadden2017–present
Seat 17
Seat established on July 1, 2013 pursuant to 104 Stat. 5089 (Judge Bates assumed duties as Director of the Administrative Office35)
Chutkan2014–present

List of U.S. Attorneys

See also

References

  1. https://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-08-1124T U.S. Government Accountability Office. AMERICAN SAMOA: Issues Associated with Some Federal Court Options. September 18, 2008. Retrieved September 7, 2019. https://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-08-1124T

  2. "United States Attorney Matthew M. Graves to Step Down January 16, 2025" (Press release). United States Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia. December 30, 2024. Retrieved January 20, 2025. https://www.justice.gov/usao-dc/pr/united-states-attorney-matthew-m-graves-step-down-january-16-2025

  3. "U.S. District Courts for the District of Columbia and the District of Potomac: Legislative History - Federal Judicial Center". www.fjc.gov. https://www.fjc.gov/history/courts/u.s.-district-courts-district-columbia-and-district-potomac-legislative-history

  4. Judge Lamberth has sat with the Western District of Texas for several months each year since 2015. /wiki/United_States_District_Court_for_the_Western_District_of_Texas

  5. Confirmed by the United States Senate on March 12, 1863; confirmation was reconsidered on March 13, 1863, with no subsequent vote; his nomination expired March 14, 1863. /wiki/United_States_Senate

  6. Recess appointment; formally nominated January 5, 1864; confirmed by the Senate on January 20 and received commission the same day. /wiki/Recess_appointment

  7. Recess appointment; formally nominated on December 1, 1879, confirmed by the Senate December 10, 1879, and received commission the same day.

  8. Recess appointment; formally nominated on December 14, 1885, confirmed by the Senate March 15, 1856, and received commission the same day.

  9. Recess appointment; formally nominated on December 20, 1887, confirmed by the Senate January 26, 1888, and received commission the same day.

  10. Recess appointment; formally nominated on December 20, 1887, confirmed by the Senate January 23, 1888, and received commission the same day.

  11. Recess appointment; formally nominated on December 6, 1892, confirmed by the Senate January 25, 1893, and received commission the same day.

  12. Recess appointment; formally nominated on November 10, 1903, confirmed by the Senate November 16, 1903, and received commission the same day.

  13. Recess appointment; formally nominated December 11, 1899, confirmed by the Senate December 19, 1899, and received commission the same day.

  14. Recess appointment; formally nominated December 5, 1901, confirmed by the Senate February 4, 1902, and received commission February 6, 1902.

  15. Judge Anderson was given a recess appointment by President McKinley.

  16. Judge Anderson was nominated by President McKinley but was appointed to the Court by (i.e., received his commission from) President Roosevelt.

  17. Recess appointment; formally nominated December 6, 1904, confirmed by the Senate December 13, 1904, and received commission the same day.

  18. Recess appointment; formally nominated December 15, 1916, confirmed by the Senate January 2, 1917, and received commission the same day.

  19. Recess appointment; formally nominated December 15, 1931, confirmed by the Senate February 17, 1932, and received commission February 20, 1932.

  20. Recess appointment; formally nominated December 15, 1931, confirmed by the Senate January 26, 1932, and received commission February 23, 1932.

  21. Recess appointment; formally nominated January 8, 1947, confirmed by the Senate January 22, 1947, and received commission January 24, 1947.

  22. Recess appointment; formally nominated January 8, 1947, confirmed by the Senate February 3, 1947, and received commission February 5, 1947.

  23. Recess appointment; formally nominated January 13, 1949, confirmed by the Senate March 29, 1949, and received commission April 1, 1949.

  24. Recess appointment; formally nominated January 5, 1950, confirmed by the Senate March 8, 1950, and received commission March 9, 1950.

  25. Recess appointment; formally nominated January 5, 1950, confirmed by the Senate April 4, 1950, and received commission April 7, 1950.

  26. Recess appointment; formally nominated January 5, 1950, confirmed by the Senate February 27, 1950, and received commission March 1, 1950.

  27. Recess appointment; formally nominated November 27, 1950, confirmed by the Senate December 14, 1950, and received commission December 22, 1950.

  28. Recess appointment; formally nominated January 17, 1959, confirmed by the Senate September 9, 1959, and received commission September 10, 1959.

  29. Recess appointment; formally nominated February 3, 1964, confirmed by the Senate July 1, 1964, and received commission July 2, 1964.

  30. "Press Releases - pr_06-11-13 - Supreme Court of the United States". www.supremecourt.gov. June 11, 2013. Retrieved October 23, 2024. https://www.supremecourt.gov/publicinfo/press/pressreleases/pr_06-11-13

  31. "Presidential Nominations Sent to the Senate". whitehouse.gov (Press release). December 19, 2013. Archived from the original on November 10, 2016 – via National Archives. https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2013/12/19/presidential-nominations-sent-senate

  32. "Bates, John D. | Federal Judicial Center". www.fjc.gov. Retrieved October 23, 2024. https://www.fjc.gov/history/judges/bates-john-d.

  33. "Press Releases - pr_11-04-14 - Supreme Court of the United States". www.supremecourt.gov. November 4, 2014. Retrieved October 23, 2024. https://www.supremecourt.gov/publicinfo/press/pressreleases/pr_11-04-14

  34. "Bates, John D. | Federal Judicial Center". www.fjc.gov. Retrieved October 23, 2024. https://www.fjc.gov/history/judges/bates-john-d.

  35. "Press Releases - pr_06-11-13 - Supreme Court of the United States". www.supremecourt.gov. June 11, 2013. Retrieved October 23, 2024. https://www.supremecourt.gov/publicinfo/press/pressreleases/pr_06-11-13