The youngest sitting federal judges
Who is the youngest sitting federal judge?
Kathleen Smithgall Lane, born in 1991, is the youngest judge sitting on the federal bench at roughly 35.
Currently serving Article III judges ranked by age, youngest first. Ages are computed from birth year, so they are approximate to the year.
| # | Name | Detail | Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kathleen Smithgall Lane | b. 1991 · District of Montana | ~35 |
| 2 | Joshua Michael Divine | b. 1990 · Western District of Missouri | ~36 |
| 3 | Jeffrey Marion Kuhlman | b. 1989 · District of Kansas | ~37 |
| 4 | Benjamin Michael Flowers | b. 1987 · Sixth Circuit | ~39 |
| 5 | Whitney Downs Hermandorfer | b. 1987 · Sixth Circuit | ~39 |
| 6 | Maria Ann Lanahan | b. 1987 · Eastern District of Missouri | ~39 |
| 7 | Kathryn Kimball Mizelle | b. 1987 · Middle District of Florida | ~39 |
| 8 | Justin Ross Olson | b. 1987 · Southern District of Indiana | ~39 |
| 9 | Jordan Emery Pratt | b. 1987 · Middle District of Florida | ~39 |
| 10 | John Thomas Shepherd | b. 1987 · Western District of Arkansas | ~39 |
| 11 | Zachary Maxwell Bluestone | b. 1986 · Eastern District of Missouri | ~40 |
| 12 | Bradley Nelson Garcia | b. 1986 · District of Columbia Circuit | ~40 |
| 13 | Tiffany Rene Johnson | b. 1986 · Northern District of Georgia | ~40 |
| 14 | Jamar Kentrell Walker | b. 1986 · Eastern District of Virginia | ~40 |
| 15 | Amir Hatem Mahdy Ali | b. 1985 · District of Columbia | ~41 |
| 16 | Megan Blair Benton | b. 1985 · Western District of Missouri | ~41 |
| 17 | Tiffany Mae Cartwright | b. 1985 · Western District of Washington | ~41 |
| 18 | Andrew Bray Davis | b. 1985 · Western District of Texas | ~41 |
| 19 | Kyle Christopher Dudek | b. 1985 · Middle District of Florida | ~41 |
| 20 | Edmund Gerard LaCour Jr. | b. 1985 · Northern District of Alabama | ~41 |
| 21 | Kasdin Miller Mitchell | b. 1985 · Northern District of Texas | ~41 |
| 22 | Justin Daniel Smith | b. 1985 · Eighth Circuit | ~41 |
| 23 | Robert Jerome White | b. 1985 · Eastern District of Michigan | ~41 |
| 24 | Katherine Amber Crytzer | b. 1984 · Eastern District of Tennessee | ~42 |
| 25 | Eric Chunyee Tung | b. 1984 · Ninth Circuit | ~42 |
Questions
- Who is the youngest sitting federal judge?
- Kathleen Smithgall Lane, born in 1991, is the youngest judge sitting on the federal bench at roughly 35.
- What are the top five?
- Kathleen Smithgall Lane (~35), Joshua Michael Divine (~36), Jeffrey Marion Kuhlman (~37), Benjamin Michael Flowers (~39) and Whitney Downs Hermandorfer (~39).
- How is this list ranked?
- Currently serving Article III judges ranked by age, youngest first. Ages are computed from birth year, so they are approximate to the year.
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Computed from the FJC Biographical Directory. Data last verified 2026-09-21. Verify against the primary source before relying.