Biden to fill vacancy in federal district court in Atlanta

Jones said balancing the need to allow enough time for cases and not delay justice has been the biggest challenge of his role. He said his exceptional court staff and colleagues have made the job 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 appointment was confirmed early the following year. Applications for the position will be accepted until June 3 by U.S. Senators Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, who will make candidate recommendations to Biden.

Federal judges are confirmed by the Senate after being questioned in a public hearing.

The Northern District of Georgia has jurisdiction over federal matters in 46 counties. It is one of three federal trial courts in Georgia and has courthouses in Atlanta, Rome, Newnan, and Gainesville.

The court has 11 senior district judges 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 also selected two judges for the Atlanta-based federal appeals court, which has jurisdiction over Georgia, Florida and Alabama.

Federal judges are generally appointed for life. They can achieve senior status after serving at least 10 years.