President Donald Trump publicly nominated Joseph P. Falvey, a Notre Dame alumnus, to serve as a United States District Judge for the Northern District of Indiana on October 19. Falvey has most recently served as the Chief of the Appellate Division of the United States Attorney’s Office of the Northern District of Indiana.
President Trump announced the nomination on Truth Social, writing, “Joe will strongly protect our cherished Constitution and Rule of Law in this important new role.” Falvey is now set to undergo a U.S. Senate review and confirmation before assuming his role as district judge.
Indiana Senator Todd Young joined President Trump in commending Falvey’s nomination, saying, “His extensive legal experience and commitment to public service will serve Hoosiers well on the federal bench.”
Falvey received his bachelor’s degree from Notre Dame in 2009, and served as an infantry officer in the U.S. Marine Corps for five years, deploying twice to Afghanistan. After leaving active duty, Falvey went on to study at Yale Law School and received his juris doctor in 2017. Following his time at Yale, he served as a clerk to Chief Justice of the United States John Roberts and worked as an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Northern District of Indiana.
In a press release, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Indiana said, “Mr. Joseph Falvey has left a profound mark on the region’s federal judicial landscape by successfully upholding critical legal standards, protecting public safety, and promoting law and order. … Falvey has set a commendable standard of excellence that has fortified the rule of law across the state.”
United States Attorney Adam L. Mildred expressed his confidence in Falvey, stating, “His flawless judgment, steadfast character, and unyielding commitment to the rule of law make him an outstanding choice for the federal bench, and we are confident he will serve the Northern District of Indiana with distinction.”
Falvey is not the only one in his family to be nominated to a federal judgeship in recent years. His father, Joseph L. Falvey Jr., was nominated by President Trump to the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims in 2018. Falvey Jr. is also a graduate of Notre Dame, receiving his bachelor’s degree in 1981 and his juris doctor in 1987.
Several current Notre Dame faculty members commented on Joseph P. Falvey’s recent nomination.
Notre Dame Law School Professor Richard Garnett told the Rover, “Mr. Falvey is an accomplished lawyer, an outstanding teacher, and a conscientious public servant. If confirmed, he would be a credit to the judiciary.” He added, “Our frayed politics can tempt us to see judicial nominations entirely through the lens of presidents and parties, but that temptation should be resisted. Mr. Falvey is an excellent nominee and has demonstrated all of the habits and qualities we all should want in judges.”
Professor James O’Brien also expressed his confidence in Falvey to the Rover following his nomination. He said, “Mr. Falvey has a great reputation, a brilliant legal mind, and a strong moral character. As a Notre Dame Law alum, I am very pleased to see his nomination and am confident he will be a great addition to the bench.”
Anthony Fedoruk is a senior political science major with a minor in theology. His favorite hobby is cheering on Philadelphia sports teams. Contact him at afedoruk@nd.edu.