Scott W. Skavdahl

Nomination Tracker
Nominee Information
	Name: Scott W. Skavdahl
	Court: United States District Court for the District of Wyoming
Progress
	Confirmed 260 days after nomination.
	Nominated: February 16, 2011
	ABA Rating: Unanimously Well Qualified
	Questionnaire: Questionnaire
	Hearing: July 13, 2011
	Hearing Transcript: Hearing Transcript
	QFRs: (Hover over QFRs to read more)
	Reported: September 8, 2011
	Confirmed: November 3, 2011
	Vote: 96-0

Scott W. Skavdahl is the chief judge on the United States District Court for the District of Wyoming. He joined the court in 2011 after a nomination from President Barack Obama. Skavdahl became the chief judge of the court in 2018.

Early life and education

A native of Lincoln, Nebraska, Skavdahl earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Wyoming in 1989 and his J.D. from the University of Wyoming School of Law in 1992.^[1]

Professional career

2011 - Present: Judge, United States District Court for the District of Wyoming
- 2018 - Present: Chief judge
2003-2010: Judge, Wyoming Seventh District Court
2001-2003: Magistrate judge, District of Wyoming
1997-2001: Private practice, Casper, Wyo.
1994-1997: Law clerk, Judge William F. Downes, United States District Court for the District of Wyoming
1992-1994: Private practice, Casper, Wyo.^[1]

Judicial career

District of Wyoming

On February 16, 2011, President Barack Obama nominated Skavdahl to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of Wyoming vacated by William F. Downes. Skavdahl was rated Unanimously Well Qualified by the American Bar Association. Hearings on Skavdahl's nomination were held before the Senate Judiciary Committee on July 13, 2011, and his nomination was reported by U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) on September 8, 2011. Skavdahl was confirmed on a recorded 96-0 vote of the U.S. Senate on November 3, 2011, and he received his commission on November 7, 2011. Skavdahl became chief judge of the court in 2018.^[1]^[2]^[3]

Noteworthy cases

Federal judge strikes down Wyoming gay marriage ban (2014)

Judge Scott W. Skavdahl issued his ruling just one day after hearing argument in the case. His opinion stated that "every day where same-sex couples are denied their constitutional rights is another day filled with irreparable harm."^[4] Judge Skavdahl further stated that it was "equally important that all same-sex marriages carry the same prominence and finality that attend opposite-sex marriage, including the various obligations and liabilities incumbent within the marital relationship."^[4]

The ruling did not take effect until 5 p.m. on Thursday, October 16, 2014, giving the defendants time to file notice with the court of any intent to appeal the decision. All defendants, however, stated they would not appeal the judge’s decision.

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