President Donald Trump has announced his intention to nominate Todd Butler, managing partner at Phelps Dunbar LLP, to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. This nomination follows Judge Leslie Southwick’s decision to take senior status, creating a vacancy on the court. Southwick, appointed by President George W. Bush in 2007, stated, “Serving on the court has been the greatest privilege of my professional life. That made it challenging to decide to retire from active service. The time has arrived, though, for me to focus more on family and life outside the court.” ([news.bloomberglaw.com](https://news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/trump-gets-fifth-circuit-vacancy-as-bush-appointee-steps-back?utm_source=openai))
The Fifth Circuit, covering Texas, Mississippi, and Louisiana, is known for its conservative leanings. Butler’s nomination is expected to maintain this ideological balance. His legal career includes extensive experience in civil litigation and appellate practice, positioning him as a strong candidate for the appellate bench.
In addition to Butler’s nomination, President Trump has put forward several candidates for federal judicial positions. Notably, Lee Philip Rudofsky has been nominated to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. ([whitehouse.gov](https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/09/nominations-sent-to-the-senate-9fc3/?utm_source=openai))
These nominations are part of the administration’s ongoing efforts to shape the federal judiciary. The Senate Judiciary Committee will review the nominations, followed by confirmation votes in the Senate. Given the current political composition, the confirmation process is anticipated to proceed without significant obstacles.
Legal professionals and observers are closely monitoring these developments, recognizing the substantial impact that lifetime appointments to the federal judiciary have on the interpretation and application of U.S. law.