Michael Yale Scudder Jr.

Michael Yale Scudder Jr. (born 1971) serves as an active United States circuit judge on the Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. Appointed by President Donald J. Trump and confirmed in 2018, he fills the vacancy left by Judge Richard Posner. Prior to his elevation to the federal bench, Scudder accumulated experience in private practice, federal prosecution, and executive‑branch national‑security work, and he has also contributed to legal education at two prominent Chicago law schools.

Early life and legal career

Michael Y. Scudder was raised in Indiana, completing his secondary education at Bishop Dwenger High School in Fort Wayne in 1989. He pursued undergraduate studies at Saint Joseph’s College, where he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration and graduated as co‑valedictorian. Following his degree, Scudder entered the accounting profession, working as an auditor for Ernst & Young. During this period he obtained certification as a public accountant, a credential that would later complement his legal expertise.

Turning to law, Scudder enrolled at Northwestern University’s Pritzker School of Law. He graduated in 1998 with magna cum laude honors and was inducted into the Order of the Coif, an academic honor society recognizing high scholarly achievement. After receiving his Juris Doctor, he embarked on a series of prestigious clerkships that provided exposure to both appellate and Supreme Court jurisprudence. From 1998 to 1999, Scudder served as a law clerk for Judge Paul V. Niemeyer of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. He then spent the 1999‑2000 term clerking for Justice Anthony Kennedy of the United States Supreme Court.

Following his clerkships, Scudder entered private practice at Jones Day in Cleveland, Ohio, where he worked as an associate attorney for two years. In 2002 he transitioned to public service as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, a role he held until 2006. During this period he prosecuted federal crimes and gained courtroom experience on behalf of the United States government.

Scudder’s career subsequently moved into the national‑security arena within the Department of Justice. In 2006 he served as counsel to the department’s National Security team, providing legal advice on matters involving counterterrorism and intelligence operations. The following year he joined the White House Counsel’s Office as associate counsel to President George W. Bush, where his responsibilities included advising the president on a range of legal issues. Later in 2007 he was appointed general counsel of the National Security Council, a position he occupied until 2009 and which placed him at the intersection of law, policy, and executive decision‑making.

In 2009 Scudder returned to private practice as a partner with Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom in Chicago. Over the next nine years he represented clients in complex commercial litigation and regulatory matters, drawing upon his extensive background in both prosecution and national‑security law. Concurrently, he contributed to legal education as an instructor at Northwestern Pritzker School of Law and at the University of Chicago Law School, teaching courses that reflected his expertise in appellate practice and governmental law.

Federal appellate service

President Donald J. Trump announced his intent to nominate Scudder to the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit on February 12, 2018. The nomination was formally transmitted to the Senate three days later, designating him to fill the seat vacated by Judge Richard Posner following that judge’s retirement in September 2017. Scudder’s confirmation process proceeded through a hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 21, 2018. The committee reported his nomination favorably on April 19, 2018 with a unanimous vote.

The full United States Senate confirmed Scudder on May 14, 2018 by a voice vote that recorded no opposition. He received his judicial commission on May 21, 2018 and has served continuously as an active circuit judge since that date. In his capacity on the Seventh Circuit, which covers Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin, Judge Scudder participates in panels that review appeals from federal district courts, administrative agencies, and certain specialized tribunals. His docket includes a broad spectrum of civil and criminal matters, ranging from constitutional questions to complex commercial disputes.

Jurisprudence and legacy

Although still early in his tenure on the Seventh Circuit, Judge Scudder’s professional background informs his contributions to appellate adjudication. His experience as an Assistant United States Attorney provides insight into federal criminal procedure, while his service within the Department of Justice’s national‑security apparatus offers perspective on cases involving executive authority, surveillance, and counterterrorism statutes. Moreover, his time in the White House Counsel’s Office and as general counsel of the National Security Council equips him with a nuanced understanding of the interplay between law and policy at the highest levels of government.

Judge Scudder’s private‑practice experience, particularly his partnership at a major international law firm, adds depth to his analysis of complex commercial litigation and regulatory compliance issues that frequently arise before the Seventh Circuit. His academic roles at Northwestern and the University of Chicago further demonstrate a commitment to legal scholarship and mentorship; through teaching, he has helped shape future generations of lawyers and contributed to ongoing dialogues within the legal academy.

Beyond his professional duties, Scudder has engaged in community service, notably serving as vice chairman of the Board of Advisors for Catholic Charities in the Archdiocese of Chicago. This involvement reflects a broader pattern of civic participation that complements his public‑service career. In his personal life, he married Sarah Rose Schoenle on July 3, 1993 in Allen County, Indiana.

Judge Scudder’s trajectory—from accounting and auditing to elite clerkships, federal prosecution, executive‑branch counsel work, private practice, academia, and finally the federal appellate bench—illustrates a multifaceted legal career. As an active member of the Seventh Circuit, he continues to apply this diverse experience to the interpretation and development of federal law within his jurisdiction. His ongoing service contributes to the stability and continuity of the United States judiciary while reflecting the varied pathways through which lawyers may ascend to the federal bench.