President Donald Trump on Wednesday nominated attorney Justin Smith to serve on the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, elevating a lawyer who represented him in high-profile litigation before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Smith was part of Trump’s legal team in the landmark presidential immunity case in which the Supreme Court of the United States ruled in 2024 that a president cannot be prosecuted for actions within his constitutional authority. He also represented Trump in civil litigation brought by writer E. Jean Carroll, where a jury found Trump liable for sexual abuse and defamation.

According to his professional background, Smith has served in several senior legal roles in Missouri, including deputy counsel to the governor and deputy attorney general for special litigation.

In announcing the nomination, Trump described Smith as playing a “BIG role” in securing what he called a landmark Supreme Court victory on presidential immunity and praised him as an “America First Fighter” who would deliver strong results for the American people.

The president also nominated Kansas Solicitor General Anthony Powell, Kansas Bureau of Investigation Director Tony Mattivi, and Jeffrey Kuhlman for judgeships on the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas, citing their commitment to upholding the Constitution.

Smith is among more than 40 judicial nominees Trump has put forward since returning to the White House for a second term, as his administration moves to shape the federal judiciary at both the district and appellate levels.