President Joe Biden has a third opportunity to appoint a judge to the federal trial court in Atlanta as the judge who oversaw the City Hall corruption cases and scrapped Georgia’s redistricting is taking senior status at the start of 2025.
U.S. District Judge Steve C. Jones, 67, just announced his plan to become a senior judge of the Northern District of Georgia on Jan. 1. He became eligible to take senior status, and a reduced caseload, in March. Jones said he plans to retain all of his pending cases as a senior judge while accepting a limited number of new cases.
“It has always been my goal and judicial practice to make sure everyone has their day in court, is treated fairly, is given respect and receives an explanation for my decisions,” Jones told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “The most satisfying part of my job has been receiving a case and moving it toward completion so that the parties receive an answer to the legal questions presented.”
Jones said balancing the need to allow sufficient time for cases while not delaying justice has been the biggest challenge of his role. He said his outstanding court staff and colleagues have made the work a joy.
Credit: U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia
Credit: U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia
Jones was appointed to the court in 2010 by then-President Barack Obama. His nomination was confirmed early the following year. Applications for his position are being accepted through June 3 by U.S. Senators Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, who will make nominee recommendations to Biden.
Federal judges are confirmed by the Senate after being questioned during a public hearing.
The Northern District of Georgia has jurisdiction over federal cases in 46 counties. It is one of three federal trial courts in Georgia, and has courthouses in Atlanta, Rome, Newnan and Gainesville.
There are 11 core district judges on the court and four active senior judges. The court also has 10 magistrate judges, who have limited authority.
Of the court’s 15 district judges, 10 were appointed by Democrats. Biden nominated Victoria M. Calvert and Sarah E. Geraghty to the court in 2021 and both were confirmed the following year.
Biden has also selected two judges for the federal appeals court based in Atlanta, which has jurisdiction over Georgia, Florida and Alabama.
Federal judges generally have lifetime appointments. They can take senior status after serving at least 10 years.
