Career Timeline of James Boasberg: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how James Boasberg made an impact.

James "Jeb" Boasberg is an American lawyer and jurist. He is the current chief judge of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia, a position he has held since March 2023. Boasberg's career has been dedicated to the legal field, culminating in his appointment to this prominent judicial role.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1986: History Teacher at Horace Mann School

From 1986 to 1987, James Boasberg worked as a history teacher and women's basketball coach at Horace Mann School in New York City.

1990: Law Clerk

From 1990 to 1991, James Boasberg served as a law clerk for Judge Dorothy Wright Nelson.

1991: Private Practice at Keker, Brockett & Van Nest

In 1991, James Boasberg went into private practice, working at Keker, Brockett & Van Nest in San Francisco.

1994: Left Keker, Brockett & Van Nest

In 1994, James Boasberg left Keker, Brockett & Van Nest.

1995: Private Practice at Kellogg, Hansen, Todd, Figel & Frederick

In 1995, James Boasberg began working in private practice at Kellogg, Hansen, Todd, Figel & Frederick in the District of Columbia.

1996: Joined U.S. Attorney's Office

In 1996, James Boasberg joined the office of the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia as a prosecutor.

1996: Left Kellogg, Hansen, Todd, Figel & Frederick

In 1996, James Boasberg left Kellogg, Hansen, Todd, Figel & Frederick.

March 12, 2002: Nominated as Potential Replacement

On March 12, 2002, James Boasberg was recommended as a potential replacement for Judge Gregory E. Mize on the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.

May 13, 2002: Nomination by President Bush

On May 13, 2002, James Boasberg was nominated by President George W. Bush to the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.

July 25, 2002: Favorable Report by Senate Committee

On July 25, 2002, the Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs favorably reported out James Boasberg's nomination by voice vote.

August 1, 2002: Confirmed by the Senate

On August 1, 2002, James Boasberg's nomination was confirmed by the full Senate by voice vote.

September 2002: Took Commission

In September 2002, James Boasberg officially took his commission as an associate judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.

2002: Appointed to Superior Court

In 2002, James Boasberg was nominated by President George W. Bush and served as a judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.

June 17, 2010: Nomination to District Court

On June 17, 2010, President Barack Obama formally nominated James Boasberg to the district court for the District of Columbia.

2010: Sought Personal Tax Returns

In 2010, The Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) sought President Donald Trump's personal tax returns from 2010 to the present to be released.

March 14, 2011: Confirmed to District Court

On March 14, 2011, James Boasberg was confirmed to the United States District Court for the District of Columbia by a 96–0 vote.

March 2011: Confirmed to Federal Judgeship

In March 2011, James Boasberg was confirmed by the United States Senate to a federal judgeship on the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.

March 17, 2011: Received Commission

On March 17, 2011, James Boasberg received his commission for the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.

2011: Appointed to the Federal Bench

In 2011, James Boasberg was appointed to the federal bench.

April 26, 2012: Ruled Against Release of Bin Laden Photos

On April 26, 2012, James Boasberg ruled that the public had no right to view government photos of a deceased Osama bin Laden, denying a request filed by Judicial Watch under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

February 7, 2014: Appointment to FISC Announced

On February 7, 2014, Chief Justice John G. Roberts announced the appointment of James Boasberg to the United States Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC).

May 18, 2014: Term Began on FISC

On May 18, 2014, James Boasberg's term began on the United States Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC).

2014: Appointed to Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court

In 2014, Chief Justice John Roberts appointed James Boasberg to the United States Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court (FISC).

2014: NMFS Violated Endangered Species Act

In 2014, The National Marine Fisheries Service violated the Endangered Species Act when it issued a biological opinion allowing for the accidental killings of North Atlantic right whales.

August 22, 2016: Ordered Release of Clinton Emails

On August 22, 2016, James Boasberg ordered the release of over 14,000 emails found in Hillary Clinton's United States Department of State correspondence by the FBI during an investigation of her private server. The emails were requested by Judicial Watch.

2016: Presided Over Litigation

Since 2016, James Boasberg has presided over litigation concerning the Dakota Access Pipeline.

August 18, 2017: Dismissed Lawsuit Seeking Trump's Tax Returns

On August 18, 2017, James Boasberg dismissed a lawsuit from the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) seeking the release of President Donald Trump's personal tax returns.

March 27, 2019: Blocked Work Requirement for Medicaid

On March 27, 2019, James Boasberg blocked a work requirement for recipients of Medicaid in Arkansas and Kentucky.

December 20, 2019: Announcement as Replacement

On December 20, 2019, the FISC announced that James Boasberg would replace the presiding judge.

January 1, 2020: Elevation to Presiding Judge

On January 1, 2020, James Boasberg was elevated to the role of presiding judge of the FISC.

March 25, 2020: Ordered Environmental Review of Dakota Access Pipeline

On March 25, 2020, James Boasberg ordered a sweeping new environmental review by the Army Corps of Engineers of the Dakota Access Pipeline.

April 8, 2020: Status of North Atlantic Right Whales

On April 8, 2020, James Boasberg issued an opinion mentioning that about 400 North Atlantic right whales remained.

April 9, 2020: Found NMFS Violated Endangered Species Act

On April 9, 2020, James Boasberg issued an opinion finding that the National Marine Fisheries Service violated the Endangered Species Act in 2014 when it issued a biological opinion allowing for the accidental killings of North Atlantic right whales by the American lobster fishery.

July 6, 2020: Vacated Easement to Cross Missouri River

On July 6, 2020, James Boasberg vacated an easement to cross the Missouri River pending completion of the environmental review for the Dakota Access Pipeline and ordered the pipeline to be emptied within 30 days.

2020: Appointed Chief Judge

In 2020, James Boasberg was appointed to the United States Alien Terrorist Removal Court and designated chief judge.

2020: Appointed to Alien Terrorist Removal Court

In 2020, James Boasberg was appointed to the United States Alien Terrorist Removal Court and designated chief judge.

May 19, 2021: Term Ended as Presiding Judge and Judge of FISC

On May 19, 2021, James Boasberg's term as presiding judge and judge of the FISC ended.

2021: End of Term as Presiding Judge of FISC

In 2021, James Boasberg's term as presiding judge of the FISC came to an end.

March 2023: Became Chief Judge

In March 2023, James Boasberg became the chief judge of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.

March 17, 2023: Became Chief Judge

On March 17, 2023, James Boasberg became the chief judge.

March 15, 2025: Issued Restraining Order on Deportations

On March 15, 2025, Judge James Boasberg issued a 14-day restraining order against the Trump administration's deportations of Venezuelan nationals, stating the administration was bypassing removal proceedings.