John Baylor Nalbandian

John Baylor Nalbandian (born 1969) serves as an active United States circuit judge on the Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Appointed by President Donald J. Trump in 2018, he filled a vacancy created by Judge John M. Rogers’s transition to senior status. Prior to his elevation to the federal bench, Nalbandian built a career in private practice, attaining partnership at the Cincinnati office of Taft Stettinius & Hollister, and held several positions that connected him with state‑level judicial administration and legal organizations.

Early life and legal career

Nalbandian’s academic foundation combines business and law. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, an institution noted for its focus on finance and management. Continuing his studies, he obtained a Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia School of Law, graduating with membership in the Order of the Coif, an honor recognizing academic excellence among law graduates.

Following law school, Nalbandian entered the federal judiciary as a clerk for Judge Jerry Edwin Smith of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. The clerkship provided early exposure to appellate practice and the development of judicial opinions at the circuit level. After completing his clerkship, he joined the Washington, D.C.,‑based firm Jones Day, where he practiced law for five years as an associate, gaining experience in a broad range of civil litigation matters.

In 2000 Nalbandian relocated to Cincinnati and became a member of Taft Stettinius & Hollister. Over the ensuing years he advanced within the firm, ultimately achieving partnership status. While at Taft, his practice focused on complex commercial disputes, federal litigation, and appellate advocacy, positioning him as a seasoned litigator before his judicial appointment.

Nalbandian’s service extended beyond private practice into state‑level judicial responsibilities. In 2007, Kentucky Governor Ernie Fletcher appointed him to serve as a Special Justice of the Kentucky Supreme Court, a role that involved hearing cases on an interim basis when regular justices were unavailable. Three years later, in 2010, President Barack Obama nominated Nalbandian to the board of directors of the State Justice Institute, an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to improving state court administration. He was confirmed by the United States Senate and served on the institute’s board until July 11 2018, when he resigned following his elevation to the federal appellate bench.

His involvement in the selection of lower‑court judges includes participation on the Magistrate Judge Merit Selection Panel for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky. Additionally, Nalbandian has been a member of the Federalist Society since 1991, reflecting a long‑standing engagement with an organization that promotes discussion of legal principles and judicial philosophy.

Personal background notes include his mother’s birth in a Japanese American internment camp during World War II, underscoring a family connection to a significant chapter of U.S. history. Nalbandian married Caroline May in 1994; the couple has remained together throughout his professional trajectory.

Federal appellate service

President Donald J. Trump announced his intent to nominate Nalbandian to the Sixth Circuit on January 23 2018, and the formal nomination was transmitted to the Senate the following day. The vacancy he was slated to fill arose from Judge John M. Rogers’s decision to assume senior status, creating an open seat on a circuit that hears appeals from federal district courts in Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Tennessee.

The United States Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on Nalbandian’s nomination on March 7 2018. After deliberation, the committee reported his nomination favorably to the full Senate on April 19 2018 by an 11–10 vote. The subsequent cloture motion—intended to limit further debate—was invoked on May 11 2018 with a 52–43 vote, allowing the confirmation process to proceed to a final vote. On May 15 2018, the Senate confirmed Nalbandian by a margin of 53–45. He received his judicial commission two days later, on May 17 2018, and has served continuously as an active circuit judge since that time.

During his tenure on the Sixth Circuit, Judge Nalbandian has participated in panels addressing a variety of legal issues, ranging from criminal sentencing to civil procedural matters and class‑action litigation. His opinions have contributed to the development of precedent within the circuit’s jurisdiction and, at times, have been reviewed by the United States Supreme Court.

Jurisprudence and legacy

Judge Nalbandian’s written work on the Sixth Circuit reflects engagement with several substantive areas of federal law. In criminal matters, he has authored opinions in cases such as *United States v. Tomes* (2021) and *United States v. McCall* (2022), which dealt with aspects of federal sentencing and procedural safeguards. His decisions in these matters have clarified the application of sentencing guidelines and evidentiary standards within the circuit.

In civil procedure, Nalbandian has contributed to the interpretation of rules governing discovery, jurisdiction, and class‑action certification. Notable opinions include *Crawford v. Tilley* (2021) and *Bowles v. Sabree* (2024), where the court examined procedural thresholds for advancing complex litigation. His analysis in these cases has been cited by practitioners seeking guidance on navigating federal procedural requirements.

Nalbandian’s docket also includes several dissenting opinions, illustrating his willingness to articulate alternative legal reasoning when he disagrees with the majority view. In *CIC Services LLC v. IRS* (2019), he authored a dissent that was later reversed by the United States Supreme Court in 2021, indicating a judicial perspective that aligned with the higher court’s ultimate interpretation of tax law issues. Similarly, his dissent in *Allstates Refractory Contractors, LLC v. Su* (2023) demonstrates engagement with nuanced questions of contract and commercial dispute resolution.

More recent decisions such as *Tennessee v. Department of Education* (2024), *Friends of George's, Inc. v. Mulroy* (2024), and *United States v. Sittenfeld* (2025) show his continued involvement in cases that intersect with governmental authority, regulatory compliance, and criminal prosecution. In *Salazar v. Paramount Global* (2025), the court addressed matters related to corporate liability and consumer protection, further expanding the body of law within the circuit.

Through these opinions, Judge Nalbandian has helped shape the legal landscape across a range of topics that affect both individuals and institutions operating under federal jurisdiction. While his tenure is ongoing, the collection of majority opinions, dissents, and participation in panel decisions constitutes a substantive contribution to Sixth Circuit jurisprudence. Observers of the court note that his rulings often reflect careful statutory analysis and adherence to precedent, characteristics consistent with his extensive background in appellate practice.

As an active member of the federal judiciary, Nalbandian continues to hear appeals, write opinions, and engage in the administrative responsibilities inherent to a circuit judge. His career trajectory—from clerkship through private practice, state‑level judicial service, and finally to the federal appellate bench—illustrates a professional path grounded in both litigation experience and public service. The impact of his decisions will persist as part of the Sixth Circuit’s evolving case law, influencing future litigants, attorneys, and judges who rely on the precedents he helps establish.