R. Austin Huffaker Jr.

Robert Austin Huffaker Jr. (born 1973) is the chief United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama.

Biography

Huffaker received a Bachelor of Engineering from Vanderbilt University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Alabama School of Law. Huffaker served as a commissioner of the Alabama Securities Commission and as a member of the Alabama Civil Jury Charge Committee.

Federal judicial service

On July 1, 2019, President Donald Trump announced his intent to nominate Huffaker to serve as a United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama. Huffaker is nominated to the seat vacated by Judge William Keith Watkins, who assumed senior status on January 31, 2019. On July 8, 2019, his nomination was sent to the United States Senate. On July 31, 2019, a hearing on his nomination was held before the Senate Judiciary Committee. On October 17, 2019, his nomination was reported out of committee by a 19–3 vote. On December 3, 2019, the Senate invoked cloture on his nomination by a 88–4 vote. On December 4, 2019, his nomination was confirmed by a 89–4 vote. He received his judicial commission on December 12, 2019. He became chief judge in 2026.