2012 Membership

THE FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE SURVEILLANCE COURT

2011 Membership

The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court was created by section 103(a) of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 (50 U.S.C. 1803(a)). It was originally comprised of seven district judges from seven circuits named by the Chief Justice of the United States to serve a maximum of 7 years.

In 2001, the U.S.A. Patriot Act (section 208) amended the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act to increase the number of FIS Court judges from seven to eleven, "of whom no fewer than 3 shall reside within 20 miles of the District of Columbia." The membership of the Court in 2011 was as follows.

Appointed Expires
BATES, John D. (Presiding, since May 18, 2009) D.D.C. 2/22/2006 2/21/2013
COFFMAN, Jennifer B. E.D.Kentucky 5/19/2011 5/18/2018
FELDMAN, Martin L.C. E.D.Louis. 5/19/2010 5/18/2017
HOGAN, Thomas F. D.D.C. 5/18/2009 5/18/2016
HOWARD, Malcolm N.C. 5/19/2005 5/18/2012
McLAUGHLIN, Mary A. E.D. Pa. 5/18/2008 5/18/2015
SAYLOR, F. Dennis Mass. 5/19/2011 5/18/2018
VINSON, Roger N.D.Florida 5/04/2006 5/18/2013
WALTON, Reggie B. D.D.C. 5/19/2007 5/18/2014
WRIGHT, Susan Webber E.D. Arkansas 5/18/2009 5/18/2016
ZAGEL, James B. N.D. Ill. 5/18/2008 5/18/2015



FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE SURVEILLANCE COURT OF REVIEW

The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court of Review was created by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978 to review applications that were denied by the FIS Court. The Court of Review is comprised of three judges, one of whom is designated as the presiding judge, named by the Chief Justice of the United States from the U.S. district or appellate courts. Judges serve a maximum of seven years and are not eligible for redesignation.

Appointed Expires
SELYA, Bruce M. (Presiding) Ninth Circuit 8/08/2005 (became presiding judge 5/19/08) 5/18/2012
BRYSON, William C. Federal Circuit 5/19/2011 5/18/2018
ARNOLD, Morris S. Eighth Circuit 5/19/2008 5/18/2015



Sources: D.C. District Court, Secrecy News