U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, D-Scranton, and U.S. Sen. John Fetterman, D-Braddock, are accepting applications to be considered for appointment to the positions of Federal District Court Judge for the Eastern District and Middle District of Pennsylvania.

“Pennsylvania’s senators, regardless of party, have continuously worked together to submit qualified candidates for Federal District Court seats in our Commonwealth,” said Casey, according to a news release. “I look forward to continuing this tradition with Senator Fetterman to identify and recommend highly qualified judicial candidates who possess the necessary experience, character, and temperament for lifetime appointments to the federal judiciary.”

“These applications are a critical opportunity to expand representation and restore balance to our judicial system. I encourage every qualified Pennsylvania lawyer who wants to serve the public and advance equal justice to apply,” said Fetterman, according to the news release. “This is an incredible opportunity for lawyers of all personal backgrounds and all practice areas to put themselves in the running so we can have a judiciary that truly represents Pennsylvania.”

Pennsylvania’s senators have a longstanding tradition of working together to recommend and confirm nominees to the federal bench. Casey, the news release said, previously worked with then-Senators Arlen Specter, R-Philadelphia, and Pat Toomey, R-Zionsville, with whom he confirmed 38 District Court Judges for Pennsylvania on a bipartisan basis from 2007-22. Casey and Fetterman have continued this practice.

Casey and Fetterman will employ the following process to fill vacancies on the Federal District Courts in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and the Middle District of Pennsylvania:

* District Commissions will be established in the two districts.

* These commissions will review applications and interview applicants. After interviews, the commissions will send a list of recommended candidates to the two senators.

The Commission for the Eastern District will be chaired by Robert Ross, founding partner of Ross Feller Casey, LLP while the commission for the Middle District will be chaired by Neil T. O’Donnell, founder of O’Donnell Law Office

In order to be considered for a U.S. District Court Judge position, the news release said interested candidates must fill out an application by visiting: https://casey.senate.gov/federal-judgeships

Applicants who applied during a prior judicial selection process in Pennsylvania must submit a new and updated application. The deadline for submitting a completed application is Nov. 27.