Judge Scott Coogler will be retiring from the federal bench in January. Following his retirement, Judge Coogler will join the Alabama Law faculty as Distinguished Professor of the Practice of Law. This spring, Judge Coogler will teach Federal Jurisdiction and Complex Litigation.
Judge Coogler has served as a judge of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama since 2003, including as Chief Judge from 2020-2023. Before his appointment to the federal bench, he was a Circuit Judge in Tuscaloosa. In 2020, he was elected by the judges of the Eleventh Circuit to serve on the Judicial Conference of the United States, which formulates administrative policy for the federal judiciary. Immediately upon his election to the Conference, Judge Coogler was appointed by the Chief Justice to serve on the Executive Committee, which consists of seven members of the Conference. Judge Coogler served in this role for his entire five-year term on the Conference.
Judge Coogler has been a mentor to hundreds of Alabama Law students over the years, including the many students who have served as his judicial clerks and many others who have completed internships or externships in his chambers. In his new capacity, Judge Coogler will remain involved in helping our students secure opportunities for judicial internships and clerkships.
We are fortunate to have someone with Judge Coogler’s experience, abilities, and passion for student success join our faculty.