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U.S. attorney for the Western District of Tennessee
On July 29, 2022, President Joe Biden announced his intent to nominate Ritz to be the United States attorney for the Western District of Tennessee. On August 1, 2022, his nomination was sent to the United States Senate, and the nomination was confirmed on September 22, 2022, by voice vote. Ritz was sworn in by Chief Judge S. Thomas Anderson on September 28, 2022. On September 18, 2024, he resigned as the US Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee to serve as a circuit judge of the Sixth Circuit.
Federal judicial service
On March 20, 2024, President Joe Biden announced his intent to nominate Ritz to serve as a United States circuit judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. His nomination drew opposition from Senator Marsha Blackburn, who said the White House had abandoned discussions with her and fellow Tennessee senator Bill Hagerty about finding a nominee for the position. On March 21, 2024, his nomination was sent to the Senate. President Biden nominated Ritz to the seat being vacated by Judge Julia Smith Gibbons, who announced her intent to assume senior status upon confirmation of a successor. On April 17, 2024, a hearing on his nomination was held before the Senate Judiciary Committee. During his confirmation hearing, Republican senators questioned Ritz about an ethics complaint filed against him during his tenure as an Assistant United States Attorney. The complaint, brought by defense counsel, alleged that Ritz had misrepresented charges during a plea agreement in a criminal case. Ritz responded by stating that he was unaware of the ethics complaint at the time. Additionally, he faced inquiries about why federal gun charges were not pursued against a suspect allegedly involved in the fatal shooting of Memphis police officer Joseph McKinney. On May 9, 2024, his nomination was reported out of committee by an 11–10 party-line vote. On September 12, 2024, the United States Senate invoked cloture on his nomination by a 49–42 vote, with Senator Kyrsten Sinema voting against the motion. On September 16, 2024, his nomination was confirmed by a 48–46 vote, with Senator Sinema voting against confirmation. He received his judicial commission on September 19, 2024.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain: "President Biden Announces Three New Nominees to Serve as U.S. Attorneys, One to Serve as U.S. Marshal" (Press release). Washington, D.C.: The White House. July 29, 2022. Retrieved July 29, 2022.