Steven Colloton

Steven Michael Colloton (born January 9, 1963) is an American lawyer and jurist who serves as the chief judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. He was appointed to the Eighth Circuit in 2003 by President George W. Bush and has been its chief judge since 2024. He previously served from 2000 to 2003 as the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Iowa.

Early life and education Colloton was born on January 9, 1963, in Iowa City, Iowa. He is the son of John W. Colloton, best known for his service as director and CEO for the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics from 1971 to 1993. Colloton is also the brother of Ann Colloton. Steven attended Iowa City West High School. He also published a note in the Yale Law & Policy Review defending single-sex student organizations, and in particular Princeton eating clubs such as the Ivy Club. He graduated from Yale in 1988 with a Juris Doctor degree.

Career After law school, Colloton was a law clerk to Judge Laurence Silberman of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit from 1988 to 1989 and to Chief Justice William Rehnquist of the U.S. Supreme Court from 1989 to 1990.

Federal judicial service Colloton was nominated to the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit by President George W. Bush on February 12, 2003, to a seat vacated by David R. Hansen. His nomination was supported by both Chuck Grassley and Tom Harkin. He received his commission on September 10, 2003. He became chief judge on March 11, 2024. He was on President Donald Trump's list of potential Supreme Court candidates.

In February 2017, Colloton vacated the enhanced sentences imposed upon members of the Native Mob, finding that Minnesota's definition of burglary was not a violent felony under the Armed Career Criminal Act.