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Sweeney, James Russell II
Born 1961 in Indianapolis, IN
Federal Judicial Service:
Judge, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana
Nominated by Donald J. Trump on November 1, 2017, to a seat vacated by Sarah Evans Barker. Confirmed by the Senate on August 28, 2018, and received commission on September 13, 2018. Served as chief judge, 2025-present.
Education:
U.S. Naval Academy, B.S., 1983
Notre Dame Law School, J.D., 1996
Professional Career:
Federal Judicial Service:
Judge, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana
Nominated by Donald J. Trump on November 1, 2017, to a seat vacated by Sarah Evans Barker. Confirmed by the Senate on August 28, 2018, and received commission on September 13, 2018. Served as chief judge, 2025-present.
Education:
U.S. Naval Academy, B.S., 1983
Notre Dame Law School, J.D., 1996
Professional Career:
U.S. Marine Corps captain, 1983-1992
U.S. Marine Corps Reserve colonel, 1992-2013
Law clerk, Hon. John Daniel Tinder, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, 1996-1997
Law clerk, Hon. James L. Ryan, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, 1997-1998
Private practice, Indianapolis, Indiana, 1999-2018