Biden taps Florida judge for Atlanta-based federal appeals court

The 11th Circuit is considered one of the most conservative federal appeals courts in the country, largely because former President Donald Trump was able to appoint six of its 12 current judges.

Biden’s first appointment to the court was Judge Nancy G. Abudu. His confirmation by the Senate took place in May 2023.

Abudu and Wilson are the only black judges on the 11th Circuit. Kidd is also black.

Wilson, whose primary chambers are in Florida, will join nine other senior judges on the court. Senior judges may choose to handle a reduced workload.

The court will continue to be considered conservative-leaning, with seven of its top justices appointed by Republican presidents, including the six who gained their seats under Trump.

Kidd has served as a federal magistrate judge in Florida since 2019. He previously spent five years as a federal prosecutor based in Florida, after working as an associate at the law firm Williams & Connolly in Washington, DC.

Kidd also served as a law clerk to a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit in Virginia after graduating from Yale Law School in 2008. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Emory University .

Kidd deferred his comments Wednesday at the White House. His selection is part of Biden’s 49th round of nominees for federal judicial posts. Biden also tapped judges for positions on federal trial courts in Maryland, Pennsylvania and New York.

“These choices also continue to fulfill the President’s promise to ensure that the nation’s courts reflect the diversity that is one of our greatest assets as a country – both in terms of personal and professional backgrounds,” the House said. White.

Federal judges are generally appointed for life. They can achieve senior status after serving at least 10 years. Even if a judge continues to handle a full caseload as a senior judge, their change in status results in a vacancy on the bench.