Eli J. Richardson

Richardson received his Bachelor of Engineering from the Duke University and his Juris Doctor from Vanderbilt University Law School, where he served as a member of the Vanderbilt Law Review. He currently serves as an adjunct professor at the Vanderbilt University Law School and previously taught trial advocacy at Belmont University College of Law. Before joining Bass, Berry & Sims, he served for twelve years in the Department of Justice, including four years as a Special Agent in the Federal Bureau of Investigation; seven years as an Assistant United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey and the Middle District of Tennessee; and one year on detail as Resident Legal Advisor to Serbia. Prior to his judicial service, Richardson practiced law both at law firms, such as Bass, Berry & Sims, and in solo practice.[1]

On July 13, 2017, President Trump nominated Richardson to serve as a United States District Judge of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee, to the seat vacated by Judge Todd J. Campbell, who took senior status on December 1, 2016.[2] On December 13, 2017, a hearing on his nomination was held before the Senate Judiciary Committee.[3]

On January 3, 2018, his nomination was returned to the President under Rule XXXI, Paragraph 6 of the United States Senate.[4] On January 5, 2018, President Donald Trump announced his intent to renominate Richardson to a federal judgeship.[5] On January 8, 2018, his renomination was sent to the Senate.[6] On January 18, 2018, his nomination was reported out of committee by an 11–10 vote.[7] On October 11, 2018, his nomination was confirmed by a 52–43 vote.[8] He received his judicial commission on October 18, 2018.

• Eli J. Richardson at the Biographical Directory of Federal Judges, a public domain publication of the Federal Judicial Center.