Fifth Circuit judicial vacancy follows Judge Leslie Southwick retirement announcement

Judge Leslie Southwick has announced his intention to semi-retire from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit once his successor is confirmed by the Senate. Southwick, appointed by George W. Bush in 2007, stated that the decision to step away from active service was difficult but necessary to focus on family.

This vacancy provides President Donald Trump with another opportunity to appoint a judge to the Fifth Circuit, a highly conservative court covering Texas, Mississippi, and Louisiana. Trump has already nominated Anna St. John, a judge on the New Orleans federal trial court, to fill a seat on this circuit.

The confirmation process may face hurdles in the Senate. Senator Kevin Cramer of North Dakota previously placed a hold on nominees following a dispute over wetland conservation policies. While Cramer has begun lifting his blanket hold after the Interior Department agreed to reevaluate the policy, any continued opposition could force Senate leadership to use formal debate cloture procedures to move the nomination forward.