Joshua Dunlap

Joshua Dale Dunlap is an American lawyer who was a partner with the law firm of Pierce Atwood. He currently serves as a United States circuit judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.

Joshua Dale Dunlap
Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
Incumbent
Assumed office November 7, 2025
Appointed by	Donald Trump
Preceded by	William J. Kayatta Jr.
Personal details
Born	1983 (age 41–42) Waterville, Maine
Education	Pensacola Christian College (BA) University of Notre Dame (JD)

Early life and education

Dunlap was born in 1983, in Waterville, Maine.^[1] 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.^[2][1]

Career

In 2009, Dunlap joined the law firm of Pierce Atwood in its Portland office as an associate.^[1] In 2018, he was promoted to be a partner.^[3][2] His focus has been on appellate, intellectual property, product liability, and cybersecurity law.

Nomination to court of appeals

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.^[3] His nomination was transmitted to the United States Senate on July 15, 2025.^[4] The Senate confirmed Dunlap on November 4, 2025.^[5] He received his judicial commission on November 7, 2025.

Personal

Dunlap resides in Scarborough, Maine.^[1]