Quick Facts
Biography
David John Novak (born 1961) is a United States District Judge for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia and a formerUnited States Magistrate Judge of the same court.
Education
Novak received his Bachelor of Arts, magna cum laude, from Saint Vincent College and his Juris Doctor from Villanova University School of Law.
Legal career
Novak has served in multiple positions at the United States Department of Justice, including serving as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Southern District of Texas and as a Trial Attorney in the Criminal Division. He later served 18 years as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Eastern District of Virginia, including as Chief of the Criminal Division and as Senior Litigation Counsel.
Federal judicial service
Failed nomination for district court under Bush
On November 15, 2007, President George W. Bush nominated Novak to serve as a Judge on the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia to the seat vacated by Robert E. Payne who assumed senior status on May 7, 2007. A hearing on his nomination was held on April 3, 2008. The Senate never acted on the nomination.
United States magistrate judge
In 2012 he was selected to be a United States magistrate judge for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia and served as one until his elevation as a federal District Judge.
Renomination to district court under Trump
On March 15, 2019, President Trump announced his intent to nominate Novak to serve as a United States District Judge for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. On March 26, 2019, his nomination was sent to the Senate. Novak was nominated to the seat vacated by Judge Henry E. Hudson, who took senior status on June 1, 2018. On April 30, 2019, a hearing on his nomination was held before the Senate Judiciary Committee. On June 13, 2019, his nomination was reported out of committee by a 19–3 vote. His nomination was confirmed by a vote of 89–3. He received his judicial commission on October 17, 2019.