At 3pm today, August 3, 2020, Stephen R. Welby was sworn in by Chief Judge Rodney W. Sippel as the Eastern District’s newest United States Magistrate Judge. As noted in the news release announcing his selection in February, Judge Welby served as the Federal Defender for the Southern District of Illinois from 2017 until taking the bench today. Prior to his service as Federal Defender, Judge Welby served in private practice in both civil and criminal matters. During this time he also served as a member of the Eastern District’s Criminal Justice Act Panel. Judge Welby has also previously served as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District. Chief Judge Sippel welcomed Judge Welby to the bench and noted his wealth of experience in both private practice and public service, especially the high level of responsibility he has managed in our federal criminal system. Judge Welby will serve a term of eight years, subject to renewals by the District Court.

For further questions please contact Clerk of Court Gregory J. Linhares at greg_linhares@moed.uscourts.gov or (314)244-7890.