Britt Cagle Grant

Britt Cagle Grant (born 1978) is an American attorney who serves as a United States circuit judge on the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals. Appointed to the federal bench in 2018 by President Donald J. Trump, she has been an active member of the appellate judiciary since that time. Prior to her federal service, Grant held the position of Justice on the Supreme Court of Georgia and served as the state’s solicitor general, giving her experience in both state and federal legal systems.

Early life and legal career

Grant was born Elizabeth Britt Cagle in Atlanta, Georgia. She completed her secondary education at The Westminster Schools, a private college‑preparatory school in the metropolitan area. Pursuing higher education, she attended Wake Forest University where she majored in English literature and politics. Graduating summa cum laude in 2000 with a Bachelor of Arts, she demonstrated strong academic performance across both humanities and social‑science disciplines.

Following her undergraduate studies, Grant entered public service in Washington, D.C., working for Congressman Nathan Deal from 2000 until 2004. During this period she also held various positions within the administration of President George W. Bush, gaining exposure to federal policy development and legislative affairs. After four years in government, she enrolled at Stanford Law School. While at Stanford, Grant distinguished herself academically, earning a Juris Doctor with distinction in 2007. Her law school activities included serving as managing editor of the *Stanford Journal of International Law* and senior articles editor of the *Stanford Law and Policy Review*. She also led the campus chapter of the Federalist Society as its president, reflecting an early engagement with legal‑philosophical discourse.

Upon graduation, Grant clerked for Judge Brett Kavanaugh on the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit from 2007 to 2008. The clerkship provided her with direct experience in appellate adjudication at a federal level. After completing the clerkship, she entered private practice as an associate at Kirkland & Ellis, where she worked from 2008 through 2012 on complex civil matters. Grant then transitioned back to public service, joining the Office of the Georgia Attorney General in 2012 as an attorney focusing on legal policy; she remained in that role until 2014.

In 2015, Governor Nathan Deal appointed Grant as Solicitor General for the State of Georgia. In this capacity she represented the state in appellate litigation and oversaw the formulation of legal arguments before both state and federal courts. Her tenure as solicitor general lasted until early 2017, when Governor Deal elevated her to the Supreme Court of Georgia on January 1, 2017. While serving as a justice, Grant was identified by President Donald Trump on November 17, 2017 as one of several individuals being considered for nomination to the United States Supreme Court, underscoring her prominence within conservative legal circles at that time.

Federal appellate service

Grant’s federal judicial career began with her nomination to the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals. On April 10, 2018, President Donald J. Trump nominated her to fill the vacancy created by Judge Julie E. Carnes, who had taken senior status earlier that year. The Senate Judiciary Committee held a confirmation hearing on May 23, 2018, during which Grant answered questions concerning her qualifications and judicial philosophy.

Following the hearing, the committee reported her nomination to the full Senate on July 19, 2018 by an 11–10 vote. The Senate subsequently invoked cloture on her nomination on July 30, 2018 with a vote of 52‑44, thereby limiting further debate. On the next day, July 31, 2018, the Senate confirmed Grant by a 52‑46 vote. She received her judicial commission on August 3, 2018 and officially entered active service on that date, at which point her tenure on the Georgia Supreme Court concluded.

Since joining the Eleventh Circuit, Judge Grant has participated in panels addressing a broad range of federal legal issues, from civil rights to administrative law. Her work as an appellate judge reflects the responsibilities inherent to the circuit, including reviewing district‑court decisions for errors of law and interpreting statutes and constitutional provisions within the jurisdiction covering Alabama, Florida, and Georgia.

Jurisprudence and legacy

Among the opinions authored by Judge Grant, a notable decision issued in November 2020 addressed the constitutionality of a municipal ordinance that prohibited conversion therapy practices targeting minors. Writing for a divided panel majority, she concluded that the ban violated the First Amendment’s protection of free speech. The opinion highlighted her engagement with complex questions at the intersection of individual liberty and governmental regulation.

Judge Grant’s jurisprudence on the Eleventh Circuit has been shaped by her prior experience in both state appellate courts and federal legal policy roles. Her background as a former state supreme court justice provides a perspective that bridges state and federal judicial doctrines, while her earlier service as solicitor general informs her approach to issues of governmental authority and statutory interpretation.

Beyond her written opinions, Judge Grant’s career reflects a trajectory through multiple branches of government—legislative staff work in Congress, executive‑branch positions during the Bush administration, private practice, state legal policy, and high judicial office at both state and federal levels. This breadth of experience contributes to an understanding of the practical implications of appellate rulings on diverse stakeholders.

On a personal level, Judge Grant is married to Justin G. Grant, who has been employed by the Central Intelligence Agency. The couple has three children. While her family life remains private, it is occasionally referenced in biographical summaries as part of the broader portrait of the judge’s background.

As an active member of the Eleventh Circuit, Judge Grant continues to shape federal jurisprudence through participation in en banc reviews and authoring opinions that address evolving legal challenges. Her contributions are documented in official court records and reflected in the ongoing development of case law within the circuit. Over time, her decisions will be evaluated by scholars, practitioners, and future courts for their influence on the interpretation of constitutional rights and federal statutes.

In sum, Britt Cagle Grant’s professional path—from a distinguished academic record through roles in legislative staff, executive administration, private practice, state legal leadership, and finally to the federal appellate bench—illustrates a comprehensive engagement with the American legal system. Her service on the Eleventh Circuit adds to the body of precedent that guides lower courts and informs the nation’s understanding of constitutional governance.