Before becoming a state court judge, Dugan was in private practice for more than 30 years, where his practice focused on personal injury and commercial litigation in both state and federal courts.[3]
State judicial service
On February 9, 2017, Dugan was appointed by the Supreme Court of Illinois to be a Circuit Judge for the St. Clair County Circuit Court. He filled the vacancy left by John B. Barberis Jr., who was appointed to the Illinois Appellate Court. The appointment took effect March 3, 2017.[3][4][5] Dugan's service on the state court bench ended when he became a federal district judge.
Federal judicial service
On February 5, 2020, President Donald Trump announced his intent to nominate Dugan to serve as a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois. On February 12, 2020, his nomination was sent to the Senate. President Trump nominated Dugan to the seat vacated by Judge David R. Herndon, who retired on January 7, 2019.[6] A hearing on his nomination before the Senate Judiciary Committee was held on June 24, 2020.[7] On July 30, 2020, his nomination was reported out of committee by a 13–9 vote.[8] On September 16, 2020, the United States Senate invoked cloture on his nomination by a 56–40 vote.[9] His nomination was confirmed later that day by a 55–41 vote.[10] He received his judicial commission on September 23, 2020.[11]