Leonard Davis, chief judge of the Eastern District of Texas, who presides over one of the busiest patent law venues in the United States, sent a letter to the White House on June 16 announcing that he will retire from the bench next year.

Davis’ letter comes with a strong warning to Washington: Congress needs to get moving on appointing his replacement—and others’—before he leaves the bench on May 15, 2015, or the Eastern District will be in serious trouble.