Joshua Dale Dunlap | |
|---|---|
| | |
| Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit | |
| Assumed office November 7, 2025 | |
| Appointed by | Donald Trump |
| Preceded by | William J. Kayatta Jr. |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1983 (age 42–43) Waterville,Maine,U.S. |
| Education | Pensacola Christian College (BA) University of Notre Dame (JD) |
Joshua Dale Dunlap (born 1983) is an American lawyer who has served as a United States circuit judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit since 2025. He was a partner with the law firm of Pierce Atwood from 2009 to 2025.
Dunlap was born in 1983,in Waterville,Maine. [1] He received a Bachelor of Arts, summa cum laude ,in 2005 from Pensacola Christian College. He received a Juris Doctor,summa cum laude,in 2008 from Notre Dame Law School,where he was note editor of the Notre Dame Law Review . Dunlap served as a law clerk for Judge Paul Joseph Kelly Jr. of the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit from 2008 to 2009. [2] [1]
In 2009,Dunlap joined the law firm of Pierce Atwood in its Portland office as an associate. [1] In 2018,he was promoted to be a partner. [3] [2] His focus was on commercial litigation at the trial and appellate levels. [4]
On July 2,2025,President Donald Trump announced his intention to nominate Dunlap to a seat vacated by Judge William J. Kayatta Jr. of the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. [3] A hearing on his nomination was held on July 30,2025. [5] On September 11,2025,his nomination was advanced to the United States Senate by a 12-10 vote. [6] [1] On October 30,2025,the Senate invoked cloture on his nomination by a 51-47 vote. [7] Dunlap was confirmed on November 4,2025 by a 52-46 vote. [8] He received his judicial commission on November 7,2025. [9]
Dunlap resides in Scarborough,Maine. [1]