He served as a law clerk to Judge Ward Williams of the Washington State Court of Appeals from 1984 to 1985 and as an Assistant City Attorney in Seattle, from 1985 to 1988.

[3] Bastian was selected as a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers in 2007, and chaired the Equal Justice Coalition from 2010 to 2013.

[7] The American Bar Association's committee on federal judicial recommendations unanimously rated Bastian as well-qualified for the position.

[9] On April 11, 2014, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid filed a motion to invoke cloture on the nomination.

[12] On September 17, 2020, Bastian issued a nationwide preliminary injunction against the United States Postal Service to reverse changes that had occurred in early July that had slowed down mail delivery and removed sorting machines.