L. Scott Coogler

Early Life and Education Coogler was born in Nantucket, Massachusetts. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Alabama in 1981 and a Juris Doctor from the University of Alabama School of Law in 1984.

Legal Career From 1982 to 1984, Coogler served as a law clerk to attorney David B. Ellis and later to Judge Paul Conger of the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court of Alabama. He was in private practice in Alabama from 1984 to 1999.

Military Service Coogler served in the United States Army National Guard from 1988 to 1991, attaining the rank of Captain in the Judge Advocate General's Corps.

State Judgeship He served as a judge on the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court of Alabama from 1996 to 2003, and as an adjunct professor at the University of Alabama School of Law from 2000 to 2003.

Federal Judgeship On March 27, 2003, Coogler was nominated by President George W. Bush to a seat on the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama, vacated by H. Dean Buttram Jr. The American Bar Association unanimously rated him qualified for the nomination. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on May 22, 2003, and his commission was issued on May 28, 2003.

Chief Judge Coogler became Chief Judge of the Northern District of Alabama in January 2020, serving until December 31, 2023, when he was succeeded by R. David Proctor. In 2020, he was also elected by the judges of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit to serve on the Judicial Conference of the United States.

Retirement Coogler retired from the federal bench on January 2, 2025, after more than 21 years of service.

Post-Judicial Career Following his retirement, Coogler joined Federal Arbitration (FedArb) as an arbitrator specializing in federal disputes. He continues to serve as Distinguished Professor of the Practice of Law at the University of Alabama School of Law.

Education and career

Coogler was born in Nantucket, Massachusetts. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Alabama in 1981 and a Juris Doctor from the University of Alabama School of Law in 1984. From 1982 to 1984 he was a law clerk to attorney David B. Ellis and later to Judge Paul Conger of the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court of Alabama.

Federal judicial service

On March 27, 2003, Coogler was nominated by President George W. Bush to a seat on the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama vacated by H. Dean Buttram Jr. Coogler was confirmed by the United States Senate on May 22, 2003, and received his commission on May 28, 2003. He became Chief Judge on January 1, 2020. and served until December 31, 2023, being succeeded by Judge R. David Proctor. He retired from active service on January 2, 2025.