United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama
About This Court
Established in 1824, the Northern District of Alabama is one of three federal judicial districts in Alabama and sits within the Eleventh Circuit. The district covers the northern third of the state, encompassing Birmingham, Huntsville, and surrounding counties. Birmingham, the state's largest city, serves as the seat of the court's primary operations.
The district handles the full range of federal civil and criminal matters, including cases arising from the region's significant industrial, manufacturing, and healthcare sectors. It also adjudicates cases involving civil rights, employment discrimination, and securities litigation, reflecting the economic and demographic character of northern Alabama.
The court operates multiple divisions across its geographic footprint, serving a diverse population that includes major urban centers as well as rural counties in the Tennessee Valley region.
Proceedings are governed by the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, and Federal Rules of Evidence, along with the court's local rules. Bankruptcy cases are handled by the companion Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Alabama.
Divisions
Northern Division (Birmingham), Southern Division (Birmingham), Eastern Division (Anniston), Western Division (Tuscaloosa), Middle Division (Gadsden), Northeastern Division (Huntsville), Northwestern Division (Florence), Jasper Division (Jasper)
Caseload
The Northern District of Alabama carries a substantial docket with notable concentrations in civil rights, employment discrimination, and product liability cases. The presence of major medical and industrial employers in the region contributes to significant federal regulatory and tort litigation.
Bar Admission
Attorneys must be admitted to practice before the Northern District of Alabama by applying to the clerk of court and demonstrating good standing in the Alabama State Bar or another state bar. Local rules govern admission requirements, including compliance with the court's electronic filing and professional conduct standards.
Clerk's Office
Hugo L. Black United States Courthouse, 1729 Fifth Avenue North, Birmingham, AL 35203
(205) 278-1700
Active Judges 14
| Name | Appointed By | Confirmed | Law School |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annemarie Axon | Donald J. Trump | 2018 | University of Alabama School of Law |
| Sharon Blackburn | George H.W. Bush | 1991 | Samford University, Cumberland School of Law |
| Karon Bowdre | George W. Bush | 2001 | Samford University, Cumberland School of Law |
| Liles Burke | Donald J. Trump | 2018 | University of Alabama School of Law |
| L. Coogler | George W. Bush | 2003 | University of Alabama School of Law |
| Madeline Haikala | Barack Obama | 2013 | Tulane University Law School |
| Virginia Hopkins | George W. Bush | 2004 | University of Virginia School of Law |
| Inge Johnson | William J. Clinton | 1998 | University of Alabama School of Law |
| Edmund LaCour | Donald J. Trump | 2025 | Yale Law School |
| Anna Manasco | Donald J. Trump | 2020 | Yale Law School |
| Corey Maze | Donald J. Trump | 2019 | Georgetown University Law Center |
| Harold Mooty | Donald J. Trump | 2025 | University of Alabama School of Law |
| R. Proctor | George W. Bush | 2003 | University of Tennessee College of Law |
| Charles Smith | William J. Clinton | 1995 | University of Alabama School of Law |
Local Rules
16 local rules extracted from this court's published rules. See the court's official website for the authoritative text.