On June 15, 1972, upon the recommendation of U.S. Senator Jacob Javits, President Richard M. Nixon nominated Carter to a seat on the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York vacated by Thomas F. Croake [REF].
As a judge, Carter handled litigation concerning the merger of the National Basketball Association and the American Basketball Association, as well as settled a basketball antitrust lawsuit and presided over several cases involving basketball stars.