Alabama Supreme Court Justice Gregory “Greg” Cook fielded questions from U.S. Senator Katie Britt, R-Alabama, during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing Wednesday on his nomination to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama.
President Donald Trump nominated Cook on June 29.
“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. “The people of the great state of Alabama are in good hands with Greg on the federal bench. Congratulations Greg!”
Cook, a graduate of Duke University and Harvard Law School, has served as an Alabama Supreme Court justice since 2022. Before joining the court, Cook worked at Balch & Bingham LLP, where he became a partner in 1998.
During Wednesday’s confirmation hearing for four judicial nominees, Britt spoke in favor of Cook’s confirmation and questioned him about his approach to the law.
“In my opinion, this day has been a long time in the making,” Britt said. “For those of you who don’t know Greg and haven’t had a chance to read up yet, I am so delighted that President Trump chose Greg to fill the role there in the judgeship in the Northern District of Alabama.”
“He has reviewed and written numerous opinions on some of the state’s most complex, both criminal and civil cases that were in front of him,” Britt added. “He has an impeccable record of service.”
During her remarks before the committee, Britt highlighted Cook’s service on the Alabama Supreme Court and his authorship of a treatise on the Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure.
“I’ve written a two-volume treatise on the rules of civil procedure,” Cook told Britt. “It’s frankly a boring book, but it’s a great reference tool, and it reflects, like you say, that I’m a boring and predictable person.”
“But I’ve accumulated 35 years of experience now between my time at the firm and my time on the bench, and I want to be able to bring that service and that experience and that knowledge to bear in the federal system,” Cook added. “And I think I can help the wheels of justice move efficiently and justly.”
During his 2022 campaign for the Alabama Supreme Court, Cook emphasized his conservative legal philosophy and his commitment to applying the law as written.
“I’m a conservative grounded in principle, who believes a judge is there to apply the law as written,” Cook said during the campaign.
Cook also highlighted his originalist approach to legal questions during the committee hearing after Britt asked how he addresses novel issues on the Alabama Supreme Court.
“On the Supreme Court, if I get a novel issue, I’m always looking at the text,” Cook said. “The text is always the first thing you look at, and you look at the original public meaning of the text. What did the text mean at the time they got passed? Because the subjective intent of the legislators is really not relevant. What we care about is the words they passed.”
“That’s part of the separation of powers, is that we pass, we enact the laws, and then I determine—our court determines—what the law is,” he added. “We don’t determine what it should be. We determine what it is.”
When Britt asked him to describe the most important traits for a judge, Cook emphasized impartiality and a commitment to thoroughly researching legal issues.
“You need to be impartial,” Cook said. “You need to be firm that you’re not gonna bend; you’re not gonna worry about the pressure or the consequences. You’re gonna be willing to keep researching, and you’re not gonna stop until you’re certain that you got the right answer. You’re gonna dig and dig and dig, and you’re gonna be willing to change your mind, if you have to change your mind to an answer.”
Britt closed the hearing by asking the nominees to briefly explain what lawmakers should know as they consider their nominations.
“I’m just incredibly honored for the opportunity, senator,” Cook said. “And I just want to thank you and the president for that opportunity.”
Lawmakers may submit written questions to the nominees who appeared at the hearing until August 19.
Cook must receive a majority vote from the full U.S. Senate to serve on the Northern District of Alabama.
If confirmed, Cook would leave a vacancy on the Alabama Supreme Court. Under Alabama law, Governor Kay Ivey would have the authority to appoint his replacement if he is confirmed and resigns from the state court.
