Joshua Dunlap
Joshua Dale Dunlap is an American lawyer who has served as a United States circuit judge of the United States [Court of Appeals for the First Circuit] since 2025. He was a partner with the law firm of Pierce Atwood from 2009 to 2025.Dunlap was born in 1983, in Waterville, Maine. He received a Bachelor of Arts, summa cum laude, in 2005 from Pensacola Christian College. He received a Juris Doctor, summa cum laude, in 2008 from Notre Dame Law School, where he was note editor of the Notre Dame Law Review. Dunlap served as a law clerk for Judge Paul [Joseph Kelly Jr.] of the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit from 2008 to 2009.Career
In 2009, Dunlap joined the law firm of Pierce Atwood in its Portland office as an associate. In 2018, he was promoted to be a partner. His focus was on commercial litigation at the trial and appellate levels.On July 2, 2025, President Donald Trump announced his intention to nominate Dunlap to a seat vacated by Judge William J. Kayatta Jr. of the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. A hearing on his nomination was held on July 30, 2025. On September 11, 2025, his nomination was advanced to the United States Senate by a 12-10 vote. On October 30, 2025, the Senate invoked cloture on his nomination by a 51-47 vote. Dunlap was confirmed on November 4, 2025 by a 52-46 vote. He received his judicial commission on November 7, 2025.Personal
Dunlap resides in Scarborough, Maine.