He was nominated by President
George W. Bush on July 28, 2005, to the seat on the United States District Court for the District of Alaska vacated by
James K. Singleton He was confirmed by the
United States Senate on December 21, 2005, and received his commission on January 23, 2006. He served as chief judge from December 31, 2015, to December 31, 2021, the same date he assumed
senior status. ==Personal life==