Danny C. Reeves

Danny Clyde Reeves (born August 1, 1957)^[1] is a senior United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky.

Danny C. Reeves
Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky
Incumbent
Assumed office February 1, 2025
Member of the United States Sentencing Commission
In office March 21, 2017 – March 21, 2021
Preceded by	Ricardo Hinojosa
Succeeded by	Claire McCusker Murray
Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky
In office August 16, 2019 – February 1, 2025
Preceded by	Karen K. Caldwell
Succeeded by	David Bunning
Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky
In office December 10, 2001 – February 1, 2025
Appointed by	George W. Bush
Preceded by	Seat established by 114 Stat. 2762
Succeeded by	vacant
Personal details
Born	Danny Clyde Reeves (1957-08-01) August 1, 1957 (age 67) Corbin, Kentucky, U.S.
Education	Eastern Kentucky University (BA) Salmon P. Chase College of Law (JD)

Early life and education

Born in Corbin, Kentucky, Reeves received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Eastern Kentucky University in 1978 and a Juris Doctor from Salmon P. Chase College of Law at Northern Kentucky University in 1981.^[1] During his undergraduate and law school years, Reeves had summer jobs at a coal mine and General Motors assembly factory.^[1]

He was a law clerk to Judge Eugene E. Siler, Jr. of the United States District Court for the Eastern & Western Districts of Kentucky from 1981 to 1983. He was in private practice with the Lexington, Kentucky law firm Greenebaum Doll & McDonald from 1983 to 2001, starting as an associate before being promoted to partner in 1988.^[1]

Federal judicial service

On September 4, 2001, Reeves was nominated by President George W. Bush to serve as a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky. He was nominated to a new seat created by 114 Stat. 2762.^[2] He was confirmed by the United States Senate on December 6, 2001, and received his commission on December 10, 2001. He became chief judge on August 16, 2019.^[3] He assumed senior status on February 1, 2025.^[4]

United States Sentencing Commission

On March 15, 2016, President Barack Obama nominated Reeves for a position on the United States Sentencing Commission, which would expire on October 31, 2021.^[5][6] On July 13, 2016, a hearing on his nomination was held before the Senate Judiciary Committee.^[7] His nomination expired with the end of the 114th Congress on January 3, 2017. He was renominated by President Obama on January 17, 2017. His nomination was withdrawn by President Donald Trump on February 28, 2017, but Trump renominated him on March 1, 2017. On March 9, 2017, his nomination was reported out of committee. On March 21, 2017, his nomination was confirmed by a 98–0 vote.^[8] His term ended in March 2021.

Title IX case

In January 2025, Reeves blocked the Biden administration's Title IX rule, which would have altered the federal government's definition of sex to include a student's preferred gender identity.^[9] Judge Reeves found the rule to be "arbitrary and capricious" and concluded that it “conflict[ed] with the plain language of Title IX.”