David J. Porter (judge)
David James Porter is a United States Circuit Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.Early life and education
Porter was born on March 8, 1966, in Kittanning, Pennsylvania. He earned his Bachelor of Arts from Grove City College and his Juris Doctor from Antonin Scalia Law School, where he served as a member and notes editor of the George Mason Law Review.Legal career
After graduating from law school, Porter served as a law clerk to Judge D. Brooks Smith of the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. He then joined Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney, where practiced in the fields of regulatory, constitutional, and commercial litigation. Porter remained at Buchanan, Ingersoll & Rooney before he became a judge. From 1989–1992 he was a member of the Federalist Society; he rejoined in 1995 and has since been President of the Pittsburgh chapter.Federal judicial service
On April 10, 2018, President Trump announced his intent to nominate Porter to serve as a United States Circuit Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. Senator Bob Casey Jr. indicated his opposition to Porter's nomination, while Senator Pat Toomey voiced his support. On April 12, 2018, his nomination was sent to the Senate. He was nominated to the seat vacated by Judge D. Michael Fisher, who assumed senior status on February 1, 2017. On June 6, 2018, a hearing on his nomination was held before the Senate Judiciary Committee. On July 19, 2018, his nomination was reported out of committee by a party line 11–10 vote. On October 11, 2018, his nomination was confirmed by a 50–45 vote. He received his judicial commission on October 15, 2018.
