This study explores regionalism in the appointment and decisionmaking patterns of federal district judges. We begin with an examination of the general appointment strategies of Ronald Reagan, Jimmy Carter, and other recent presidents. The role of local constraints in this process is emphasized. Next, the behavior of federal district judges appointed by recent presidents is analyzed by comparing levels of support for civil rights and civil liberties claims in cases decided during the 1977-1985 period. The Reagan appointees' support scores are compared with those of judges appointed by Carter and other recent Democratic and Republican presidents. Comparisons are made in the nation as a whole and also across circuits and states. Our findings indicate that the Reagan appointees are less supportive of civil rights and liberties claims than judges named to the bench by Carter or other recent Democratic and Republican presidents.