Sentencing Commission seeks advisory group members for six circuits

The United States Sentencing Commission has issued a request for applications to fill upcoming vacancies in the voting membership of its Practitioners Advisory Group, the standing body that advises the agency on federal sentencing guidelines. The notice, signed by Commission Chair Carlton W. Reeves, was published in the Federal Register of Thursday, September 3, 2026 (Vol. 91, No. 170, Notices section, p. 56731), under official reference FR Doc. 2026–18007.

The six open seats are circuit memberships covering the Fourth, Seventh, Eighth, Ninth, Eleventh and District of Columbia Circuits. Interested and eligible attorneys must submit a letter of interest and a resume so that materials are received no later than October 26, 2026.

The advisory group and its role

The Practitioners Advisory Group is a standing advisory body of the Commission, established pursuant to 28 U.S.C. 995 and Rule 5.4 of the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure. Its charter tasks it with assisting the Commission in its statutory responsibilities, providing views on proposed priorities and amendments, and disseminating information on federal sentencing issues to defense attorneys and the defense community.

The group is capped at 17 voting members, each serving no more than two consecutive three-year terms. The composition is fixed by charter:

• one Chair and one Vice Chair;
• 12 circuit members, one for each federal judicial circuit other than the Federal Circuit;
• three at-large members.

Eligibility and how to apply

To serve as a voting member, an applicant must be an attorney who devotes a substantial portion of professional work to advocating for privately represented individuals, or for individuals represented by private practitioners through appointment under the Criminal Justice Act of 1964; has significant experience with federal sentencing or post-conviction issues; and is in good standing with the highest court of the jurisdiction where admitted. Circuit members must also have their primary place of business or a substantial portion of their practice in the circuit concerned.

Applications are submitted by email to pubaffairs@ussc.gov or by regular mail to United States Sentencing Commission, One Columbus Circle NE, Suite 2–500, South Lobby, Washington, DC 20002–8002, Attention: Public Affairs—PAG Membership. Further information is available from Jennifer Dukes, Senior Public Affairs Specialist, at (202) 502–4597, and on the Commission’s website at www.ussc.gov/advisory-groups.

Why it matters

The call for members comes as the Commission prepares a comprehensive review of its Rules of Practice and Procedure and evaluates the guidelines ahead of the 40th anniversary of the Guidelines Manual. Filling the advisory group’s circuit seats ensures that the defense bar’s perspective is represented across the federal circuits as the agency shapes its amendment cycle ending May 1, 2027.

Source: Federal Register, Vol. 91, No. 170, 3 September 2026, Notices, p. 56731 (official reference: FR Doc. 2026–18007).