 His service terminated on December 17, 1971, due to his elevation to the Ninth Circuit.Goodwin was nominated to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit by President Nixon, on November 3, 1971, to a seat vacated by Judge John Kilkenny.He was confirmed by the Senate on November 23, 1971, received his commission on November 30, 1971, and served as Chief Judge from 1988 until he assumed senior status on January 31, 1991.