The United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit announced on Mar. 19 that it is seeking applications for a bankruptcy judgeship in the Southern District of California, with the official duty station located in San Diego. The position is set to begin on March 16, 2026.
This announcement is significant as it opens an opportunity for qualified legal professionals to serve a 14-year term as a bankruptcy judge, with the possibility of renewal subject to reappointment procedures. The current annual salary for this role is $229,908. Relocation expenses will not be reimbursed.
According to the court, “the selection process may take up to 18 months to complete.” Interested candidates are encouraged to review the full public notice and application instructions available online. Both hard copy and electronic versions of all application materials must be received by 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time on Thursday, June 18, 2026.
The court has provided downloadable resources including the vacancy announcement, detailed application instructions, and a fillable PDF application form for those interested in applying.
This vacancy represents an important step in maintaining judicial capacity within the Southern District of California’s bankruptcy court system. The appointment process underscores the Ninth Circuit’s commitment to selecting highly qualified individuals for federal judicial service.
