Judge William “Bill” H. Pryor, Jr. on Wednesday took over as chief judge for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit.

Pryor served as Attorney General of Alabama from 1997-2004 before being nominated by President George W. Bush to serve on the 11th Circuit in 2003.

The 11th circuit court has jurisdiction over all appeals out of federal district courts in Florida, Alabama and Georgia. The court meets in Atlanta.

News of Pryor’s ascension into the chief judge role was first reported by Law.com. Selection as chief judge on federal courts is based on seniority.

Law.com quotes Pryor as saying, “I will strive to follow the example of the chief judges who preceded me by serving our circuit with the professionalism and integrity that the members and employees of the federal judiciary regularly serve the American people.”

As chief judge, Pryor will be in charge of the court’s operations and administration. He will serve in the role for seven years.

Preceding Pryor as chief of the 11th Circuit was Judge Ed Carnes, also an Alabamian, who turned 70 on Wednesday and is assuming senior status.

Carnes’ replacement is another Alabamian. Judge Andrew Brasher was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in a 52-43 vote in February to take over Carnes’ spot on the court. Brasher is currently a U.S. District Court Judge for the Middle District of Alabama.

Henry Thornton is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can contact him by email: henry@new-yhn.local or on Twitter @HenryThornton95