Senate confirms black Alabama judge to federal bench

Terry Moorer

The Senate confirmed U.S. Magistrate Judge Terry F. Moorer to serve a lifetime appointment as a federal judge for the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Alabama in Mobile.

President Donald Trump nominated Moorer in September 2017.

"Judge Moorer will serve the Southern District with distinction. I was proud to support his confirmation today and to congratulate him personally for his historic appointment as the first African-American to hold this seat," Senator Doug Jones (D). "Having practiced before him as a lawyer, I know him to be eminently qualified for this role. I wish him well as he continues his work to uphold the Constitution and ensure justice for all."

Senator Richard Shelby (R) also praised Moorer's nomination.

"Judge Terry Moorer is well-suited to be a U.S. district judge in Alabama's southern district," Shelby said. "His decade of experience serving as a magistrate judge, along with his devotion to upholding the constitution make him fit to serve in this prestigious role.  I congratulate Judge Moorer and am confident that our nation will continue to benefit from his dedication and service."

Moorer served as a Magistrate Judge on the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama since 2007.

Before assuming the magistrate judgeship, Moorer served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Middle District of Alabama, as a Command Judge Advocate in Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, and as an attorney in the Office of Staff Judge Advocate in Fort Rucker, Alabama, according to a statement from Shelby's office. Moorer earned his Associate of Arts from the Marion Military Institute, his B.A. from Huntingdon College, and his J.D. from the University of Alabama School of Law.

During an appearance before the Senate Judiciary Committee in November, Judge Moorer expressed that "a judge must be courteous and respectful to parties and attorneys" and "patient, open-minded, tactful, and fair to all parties," according to a statement from Shelby's office.

In that appearance, he also said a "judge must decide matters based on the facts and law," and while "a judge is still a person and cannot be expected to fully divorce themselves from all life experiences, their life experiences should play no role in the decision-making process," according to the statement from Shelby's office.

One Alabama judicial nominee initially nominated by President Trump in 2017, along with one nominee from Alabama selected in 2018, still await confirmation by the full Senate.

Updated at 7:30 p.m. to add comments from Senator Doug Jones.

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