K - Q
Kuhlman, Jeffrey M.
District of Kansas. Nominated 3/2/26.
Jeffrey Kuhlman is currently a partner at Watkins Calcara in Great Bend, Kans., where his practice focuses on civil litigation and municipal law. He previously practiced at the Hinkle Law Firm. Earlier in his career, Mr. Kuhlman clerked for U.S. District Court Judge Eric F. Melgren in the District of Kansas for two years.
Mr. Kuhlman earned his J.D., cum laude, from the Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University in 2015, and his B.A. in history, with a minor in political science, from Kansas State University in 2012.
LaCour Jr., Edmund G.
Northern District of Alabama, Nominated 9/2/25.
Confirmed 10/29/25.
Edmund G. LaCour Jr. currently serves as Solicitor General of Alabama, having held the position since May 3, 2019, acting as the chief appellate lawyer for the state. Before that, he practiced law as a partner at Kirkland & Ellis, and previously at Baker Botts and Bancroft PLLC. After law school, he clerked for Judge William H. Pryor Jr. of the 11th Circuit.
Mr. LaCour graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts from Birmingham-Southern College, earned a Master of Philosophy from Trinity College Dublin, and received his Juris Doctor from Yale Law School.
Lanahan, Maria A.
Eastern District of Missouri, Nominated 5/12/25.
Confirmed 9/9/25.
Mr. Mattivi earned his J.D. from Washburn University School of Law and his B.A. from Metropolitan State University of Denver.
Maxwell II, James D.
Northern District of Mississippi, Nominated 9/2/25.
Confirmed 12/9/25.Ms. Lanahan received her J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School in 2013 and her B.S. from Gonzaga University in 2009.
Lane, Kathleen S.
District of Montana. Nominated 3/2/26.
Kathleen S. Lane is currently senior counsel for litigation at the Republican National Committee, a position she has held since April 2025. Before joining the RNC, she served as deputy solicitor general in the Montana Department of Justice from May 2021 to March 2023, where she defended state laws in appellate proceedings. She also worked as an attorney at Consovoy McCarthy. Earlier in her career, Ms. Lane clerked for Judge Timothy Tymkovich of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit and for Judge Thomas Varlan of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee.
Ms. Lane earned her J.D. from the Antonin Scalia Law School at George Mason University in 2017, and her B.A. in economics from Furman University in 2014.
Lea, Brian Charles
Western District of Tennessee. Nominated 12/1/25.
Confirmed 2/5/26.
Brian Charles Lea currently serves as Deputy Associate Attorney General at the U.S. Department of Justice. Before joining the Department of Justice, Mr. Lea was a partner at Jones Day, where he practiced in the firm's Issues & Appeals practice from 2012 to 2025. From 2015 to 2017, he served as a visiting assistant professor at the University of Georgia School of Law. Mr. Lea clerked for Justice Clarence Thomas of the U.S. Supreme Court during the October 2011 term and for Judge Ed Carnes on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit from 2009 to 2010.
Mr. Lea earned his J.D. summa cum laude from the University of Georgia School of Law in 2009, where he was inducted into the Order of the Coif and served as articles editor of the Georgia Law Review. He graduated with a B.A. in English from Union University in 2006.
Lewis, Bill
Middle District of Alabama, Nominated 9/2/25.
Confirmed 10/27/25.
Billy Wayne “Bill” Lewis Jr. is currently an Associate Justice on the Alabama Supreme Court, a position he assumed on May 20, 2025, following appointment by Governor Kay Ivey. Previously, he served as a judge on the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals, to which he was appointed on February 29, 2024, and prior to that as a judge on the Elmore County Circuit Court (2016–2024).
Justice Lewis earned his Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of the South in 2000 and his Juris Doctor from Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law in 2003.
Mascott, Jennifer Lee
Third Circuit, Nominated 9/2/25.
Confirmed 10/9/25.
Jennifer Lee Mascott currently serves as Senior Counsel in the White House Counsel’s Office and previously was a law professor at Catholic University’s Columbus School of Law. Earlier in her career, she clerked for U.S. Supreme Court Justices Clarence Thomas and Brett Kavanaugh, the latter during his tenure as a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.
Ms. Mascott received her Juris Doctor from George Washington University Law School and her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Maryland.
Mattivi, Anthony W.
District of Kansas. Nominated 3/2/26.
Anthony Mattivi has served as director of the Kansas Bureau of Investigation since January 2023, overseeing statewide law enforcement operations. Before leading the KBI, he served as vice president and general counsel of MedCor. He was previously an assistant U.S. attorney in the District of Kansas from 1998 to 2020, where his work spanned drug trafficking, violent crime, racketeering, money laundering, and terrorism. He served as lead prosecutor in the capital case against the al-Qaida operative who masterminded the bombing of the USS Cole, and was part of the team that secured convictions of three Kansas militia members who plotted to murder Somali Muslim refugees in Garden City.
James D. Maxwell II is presently an Associate Justice on the Mississippi Supreme Court, appointed by Governor Phil Bryant on January 1, 2016, and subsequently elected to the bench. He previously served as a judge on the Mississippi Court of Appeals (2009–2015), having been appointed by Governor Haley Barbour, and before that worked as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Northern District of Mississippi (2002–2009).
Justice Maxwell earned both his Bachelor’s degree and Juris Doctor from the University of Mississippi.
Mercer, William W.
District of Montana. Nominated 7/16/25.
Confirmed 10/22/25.
William Mercer is a partner at Holland & Hart LLP in Billings, Montana, where he focuses on litigation involving federal and state regulatory matters, including environmental enforcement and healthcare compliance. From 2019 to 2025, he served in the Montana House of Representatives, where he chaired the House Judiciary and Law Enforcement Committees. Mr. Mercer was U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana from 2001 to 2009 and previously served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney from 1994 to 2001. At the U.S. Department of Justice, he held several senior posts, including Acting Associate Attorney General and Principal Associate Deputy Attorney General.
Mr. Mercer earned his J.D. from George Mason University School of Law, an M.P.A. from Harvard University, and a B.A. from the University of Montana.
Meredith, Stephen Chad
Eastern District of Kentucky. Nominated 6/23/25.
Confirmed 10/23/25.
Mr. Meredith earned his J.D. summa cum laude, Order of the Coif, from the University of Kentucky College of Law in 2007, and graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. from Washington & Lee University in 2004.
Moe, Anne-Leigh Gaylord
Middle District of Florida. Nominated 6/16/25.
Confirmed 10/21/25.
Anne-Leigh Gaylord Moe has served as a judge on Florida’s Thirteenth Judicial Circuit since 2017. Before her appointment to the bench, she was a partner at the law firm of Bush Ross, where she focused on commercial litigation. She served as a law clerk to U.S. District Judge Virginia M. Hernandez Covington, Middle District of Florida, and as an intern to Justice Kenneth B. Bell, Florida Supreme Court.
Judge Mo earned her J.D. from Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University, cum laude, and her B.A. from Furman University, cum laude.
Mooty III, Harold D.
Northern District of Alabama, Nominated 9/2/25.
Confirmed 10/21/25.
Harold D. Mooty III is currently a partner at the law firm of Bradley Arant in Huntsville, where he specializes in commercial litigation, including contract disputes, business torts, and injunctive-relief cases across the southeast. President Trump announced his intent to nominate Mr. Mooty as a district judge for the Northern District of Alabama on August 13, 2025, and he has received support from both Alabama U.S. Senators.
Mr. Mooty earned his Bachelor of Science from the University of Alabama and his Juris Doctor from the University of Alabama School of Law.
Olson, Justin Ross
Southern District of Indiana. Nominated 12/1/25.
Confirmed 2/5/26.
Justin R. Olson currently serves as counsel at the law firm Kroger, Gardis & Regas in Indianapolis, Indiana, where he advises clients on health care fraud and abuse, False Claims Act enforcement, and Controlled Substances Act compliance and enforcement. From 2019 to 2024, Mr. Olson served as an assistant U.S. attorney in the Civil Division of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Indiana, where he served as civil health care fraud coordinator and civil opioid coordinator. Before that, he was an associate at Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath (formerly Faegre Baker Daniels) from 2015 to 2019. Mr. Olson clerked for Chief Justice Loretta Rush of the Indiana Supreme Court from 2013 to 2015.
Mr. Olson earned his J.D. magna cum laude from Indiana University Maurer School of Law in 2013. He graduated with a B.A. from Grove City College in 2010.
Orso, Matthew E.
Western District of North Carolina. Nominated 9/15/25.
Confirmed 12/3/25.
Matthew E. Orso is a partner in the law firm of Troutman Pepper Locke. Earlier he was a partner at McGuireWoods and an associate at Smith Parsons. Mr. Orso clerked for then-Chief Judge Robert J. Conrad Jr. of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of North Carolina.
Mr. Orso earned his J.D. from Saint Louis University School of Law (2009) and his B.A. from the University of Dayton. He also attended an Urban Planning Master’s program at Saint Louis University.
Peterson, Aaron Christian
District of Alaska, Nominated 11/18/25.
Confirmed 2/4/26.
Aaron Christian Peterson currently serves as senior assistant attorney general in the Alaska Department of Law's Natural Resources Section, where he serves as primary litigation counsel on fisheries matters in which the State of Alaska has an interest. He has held this position since 2019, representing the Department of Fish and Game and the Board of Fisheries in civil and administrative matters. From 2015 to 2019, Mr. Peterson served as assistant attorney general in the Department of Law's Office of Special Prosecutions, handling statewide fish and wildlife crimes. He previously served as assistant district attorney in the Anchorage District Attorney's Office from 2012 to 2015, prosecuting a wide range of criminal cases. Mr. Peterson began his legal career clerking for Judge Michael R. Spaan of the Alaska Superior Court from 2010 to 2011. He is a U.S. Air Force veteran who served in security forces after 9/11, deploying to the Middle East and around the globe.
Mr. Peterson earned his J.D. from Gonzaga University School of Law in 2010. He received his B.B.A. in finance from the University of Alaska Anchorage in 2007.
Powell, Anthony J.
District of Kansas. Nominated 3/2/26.
Anthony Powell has served as Kansas solicitor general since January 2023, representing the state as its top appellate attorney. Before assuming that role, he served as a judge on the Kansas Court of Appeals from 2013 to 2022, where he heard more than 2,000 cases and authored 670 opinions. He was appointed to the Court of Appeals by Gov. Sam Brownback. From 2002 to 2013, Mr. Powell served as a judge in the Eighteenth Judicial District, serving Sedgwick County. Before joining the bench, he was a member of the Kansas House of Representatives for four terms, serving as majority whip, and engaged in the practice of law at Martin & Churchill.
Mr. Powell earned his J.D. from Washburn University School of Law in 1991, where he served as associate editor of the Washburn Law Review, and his B.A. in political science from George Washington University in 1985.
Pratt, Jordan Emery
Middle District of Florida. Nominated 6/16/25.
Confirmed 10/28/25.
Jordan Pratt is a judge on the Florida Fifth District Court of Appeals, a position he has held since 2023. Prior experience includes that of Senior Counsel at First Liberty Institute and Deputy General Counsel for the U.S. Small Business Administration. Judge Pratt has also held positions at the U.S. Department of Justice and the Office of Legal Policy. He was Deputy Solicitor General for the state of Florida from 2015 to 2019.
Judge Pratt received his J.D. from the University of Florida Levin College of Law in 2012 and his B.S. from the University of Florida in 2009.
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