On September 23, 1986, Howard was nominated by President
Ronald Reagan to a new seat on the
United States District Court for the Southern District of Alabama created by 98 Stat. 333. He was confirmed by the
United States Senate on October 8, 1986 and received his commission on October 14, 1986. He served as Chief Judge from 1989 to 1994, assuming
senior status on October 21, 1996. Howard died in Mobile and was buried at Pine Crest Cemetery. ==Notable case==