<P> In September 2002, Boasberg became an Associate Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, where he served in the Civil and Criminal Divisions and the Domestic Violence Branch until his appointment to the federal bench in 2011 . During the 111th Congress, Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton recommended Boasberg to fill a judicial vacancy on the United States District Court for the District of Columbia . On June 17, 2010, President Barack Obama formally nominated Boasberg to the District Court for the District of Columbia . Boasberg was confirmed on March 14, 2011 by a vote of 96 ayes to 0 nays . He received his commission on March 17, 2011 . </P> <P> On April 26, 2012, Boasberg ruled that the public had no right to view government photos of a deceased Osama Bin Laden . Judicial Watch, a conservative legal group, had filed a request under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), but were unsuccessful in convincing the Judge that FOIA rights outweighed national - security factors . </P> <P> On January 18, 2013, Boasberg issued a permanent injunction prohibiting the Internal Revenue Service from enforcing regulations on Registered Tax Return Preparers, which otherwise required tax return preparers to register with the IRS and pass a written test as evidence of competency . Loving v. Internal Revenue Service, No. 12 - 385 (U.S.D.C.D.C. 1 / 18 / 2013). The IRS appealed and in 2014, the Court of Appeals upheld Boasberg's district court decision . </P> <P> On February 7, 2014 Chief Justice John G. Roberts announced that he would appoint Boasberg to the United States Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court for a term starting May 18, 2014 to a seat being vacated by Reggie Walton . His term began May 18, 2014 . </P>

District judge james boasberg in the district of columbia