Carl Nichols, a Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr regulatory and government litigation partner and former Justice Clarence Thomas clerk, was confirmed Wednesday to Washington, D.C.’s federal trial court.

Nichols, who has represented clients in trial and appellate courts on a broad range of issues, has been a partner at Wilmer since 2010. The U.S. Senate approved his bid to the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on a 55-43 vote.