Judge O'Scannlain to take senior status

SAN FRANCISCO – Circuit Judge Diarmuid F. O’Scannlain of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit notified President Barack Obama today that he will assume senior status on December 31, 2016. The notification occurred on the 30th anniversary of Judge O’Scannlain’s appointment to the court by President Ronald Reagan.

Among Oregonians to have sat on the Ninth Circuit bench, Judge O’Scannlain has the longest tenure of active service since Judge William Gilbert, who was appointed in 1892 by President Benjamin Harrison. In taking senior status, Judge O’Scannlain,79, will retain his chambers in Portland’s Pioneer Courthouse, but with decreased caseload and travel burdens. The next president will nominate a successor to Judge O’Scannlain’s seat on the Ninth Circuit.


Press release here.