The White House on Monday announced that President Donald Trump intends to nominate Montgomery’s Austin Huffaker as a U.S. district judge for the Middle District of Alabama.

Huffaker is a shareholder at the prominent law firm of Rushton, Stakely, Johnston & Garrett, P.A, where his practice focuses on complex commercial, product and lender liability, along with professional malpractice litigation.

Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL) and Governor Kay Ivey commended the president on the intended nomination, with Shelby saying he would support confirmation in the Senate.

Austin Huffaker’s vast experience & proficiency showcase his suitability for this federal judgeship. He has my full support.

— Richard Shelby (@SenShelby) July 1, 2019

Additionally, Huffaker serves as a commissioner of the Alabama Securities Commission and as a member of the Alabama Civil Jury Charge Committee. Mr. Huffaker earned his bachelor of engineering, cum laude, from Vanderbilt University and his juris doctorate, magna cum laude, from the University of Alabama, where he was a member of the Alabama Law Review and a Hugo Black Scholar.

Congrats to Austin Huffaker for being nominated by @POTUS to serve as a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama. @WhiteHouse https://t.co/04tzuTklAA

— Governor Kay Ivey (@GovernorKayIvey) July 1, 2019

Huffaker’s nomination would become official after a formal vetting process is completed and the paperwork is sent to the U.S. Senate.

Nine federal judicial nominees from Alabama have already been nominated by Trump and confirmed by the Senate during his tenure in office.

Corey Maze’s June confirmation to be a U.S. District Judge for the Northern District of Alabama was the most recent.

Trump is responsible for nominating the first ever African-American judge on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Alabama, Judge Terry F. Moorer of Greenville, who was confirmed last year.

Sean Ross is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn