The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has a vacancy for the first time in five years. Judge Evan Wallach confirmed Tuesday that he is taking senior status following nine years on the Federal Circuit and 16 more at the Court of International Trade.

“I thought this was a good time to create a place for someone else,” said Wallach, 71, in an email to The National Law Journal. “I’ve served our country in all three branches, twice in the Army in wartime, for a couple of years working for Sen. Harry Reid, and for close to 26 years on the bench.”