President Donald Trump has nominated Alabama Supreme Court Justice Gregory “Greg” Cook to serve as a federal judge for the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama.
Trump announced the nomination Monday night, praising Cook’s legal career, military service and education.
“I am pleased to announce the nomination of Justice Gregory Cook to serve as a Judge on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama,” Trump wrote. “Greg was elected to the Alabama Supreme Court in 2022. Before joining the Bench, he had a private practice career spanning more than three decades. Greg also served our Country in the United States Air Force, attaining the rank of Captain. Greg is a Graduate of Duke University and Harvard Law School.”
Trump added: “The people of the Great State of Alabama are in good hands with Greg on the Federal Bench. Congratulations Greg!”
If confirmed by the U.S. Senate, Cook would leave Alabama’s highest court less than four years after taking office and move to a lifetime appointment on the federal trial court that covers much of north Alabama.
His departure would also create another vacancy on the Alabama Supreme Court. Under Alabama law, the governor fills vacancies on the state Supreme Court, giving Governor Kay Ivey the power to name Cook’s replacement if he is confirmed and resigns from the state bench.
Cook was elected to the Alabama Supreme Court in 2022 and took office in January 2023. Before joining the court, he spent three decades in private practice at Balch & Bingham and served as general counsel for the Alabama Republican Party.
During his 2022 campaign, Cook presented himself as a conservative jurist committed to applying the law as written rather than legislating from the bench.
“I’m a conservative grounded in principle, who believes a judge is there to apply the law as written,” Cook said during that campaign. “This might sound boring and predictable, but it’s who I am.”
Cook is a graduate of Duke University and Harvard Law School. He also served in the U.S. Air Force, attaining the rank of captain.
U.S. Senator Katie Britt, R-Alabama, praised Cook’s nomination in a public statement Tuesday.
“Congratulations to Greg Cook on his nomination to serve as a federal district judge for the Northern District of Alabama,” Britt wrote. “@POTUS selected a highly-qualified, well-respected Alabamian who brings years of experience to the federal bench. This is an incredible pick, and I look forward to his confirmation.”
The Northern District of Alabama includes federal courthouses in Birmingham, Huntsville, Tuscaloosa, Anniston, Decatur, Florence and Gadsden. The court hears federal civil and criminal cases across north Alabama, including constitutional claims, public corruption cases, business disputes and federal prosecutions.
The seat Cook has been nominated to fill opened when U.S. District Judge R. David Proctor assumed senior status on January 1. President George W. Bush nominated Proctor to the federal bench in 2003, and Proctor served as chief judge of the Northern District from 2024 to 2026.
Cook’s nomination now moves to the U.S. Senate confirmation process. If confirmed, he would become the latest Alabama Republican jurist elevated from state service to the federal bench under Trump.
