Gregg Costa Discusses Experience Gained on District Court With The AmLaw Litigation Daily

In the Media  |  September 17, 2026

The AmLaw Litigation Daily

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Partner Gregg Costa, a former federal trial and appellate judge, discussed his experiences with The AmLaw Litigation Daily (subscription required). Gregg is one of 49 individuals who have served on the federal bench since 1980 who were elevated to a higher court by the same president who initially nominated them to a lower court. In his case, there was a one-year gap between agreeing to be considered for a vacancy after President Obama’s reelection and the announcement of his appellate nomination.

“I ended up spending two years on the district court, which was probably the most valuable training I had [for] the appellate court,” Gregg said. “I was very grateful I had two years. If I had only a year, I would not have learned as much in that position.”