On April 26, 1994, President
Bill Clinton nominated Parker to serve as a United States district judge the
United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, to a seat vacated by Judge
Leonard B. Sand, who assumed
senior status on July 1, 1993. He was confirmed on September 14, 1994 by
voice vote. He received his commission on September 15, 1994. His service as a district judge was terminated on October 18, 2001 when he was elevated to the court of appeals. Parker was initially nominated to that court by President
George W. Bush on May 9, 2001, to fill a seat vacated by Judge
Ralph K. Winter, who assumed senior status on September 30, 2000. However, the Democratic-controlled
United States Senate returned Parker's nomination just a few months later without considering it. Bush renominated him, along with many other previously returned nominees, on September 4, 2001. This time, the Senate confirmed Parker's nomination a little over a month later, on October 11, 2001, by a 100–0 vote. He received his commission on October 16, 2001. He assumed
senior status on October 10, 2009. == Personal life ==