Montana judge to take “senior status” on federal appeals court

A Montana judge says, after more than 25 years on a federal appeals court, he’s ready for his successor to be chosen.

The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals announced Tuesday that Judge Sidney Thomas, of Billings, has announced plans to assume senior status, effective when his replacement takes office. According to a statement from the court, Thomas told President Joe Biden in a letter that it had been “a great honor and a privilege to serve as an active judge” for 26 years.

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