---
title: "Charles F Lettow | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/charles-f-lettow-9910"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# Charles F Lettow

United States Court of Federal Claims · U.S. Court of Federal Claims Judge

## Profile

- Court: United States Court of Federal Claims
- State: National federal courts
- Role: U.S. Court of Federal Claims Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-06-30

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Biography

### Professional career

- Judge, United States Court of Federal Claims, 2003-present
- Charles Frederick Lettow (1941–2024) was an American jurist who held the role of a judge and later senior judge of the United States Court of Federal Claims from 2003 until his death in 2024
- In 1973, he joined Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton in Washington, D.C., becoming a partner in 1976
- Lettow clerked for Judge Benjamin C. Duniway (9th Circuit) (1968–1969) and Chief Justice Warren E. Burger of the U.S. Supreme Court (1969–1970)

### Education

- In 2001, he earned a M.A. in history from Brown University.

### Additional information

- Retired in September 2024, shortly before his death.
- Charles F. Lettow died on December 24, 2024, in Iowa Falls, Iowa, at age 83.
- U.S. Court of Federal Claims until July 13, 2018, when he assumed senior status.
- Nominated by President George W. Bush on January 7, 2003, Lettow was confirmed by the Senate on July 9, 2003, and commissioned on July 14, 2003.
- He was active in the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer in McLean, Virginia, and served on the board of trustees of The Potomac School (1983–1990).
- Stauffer Chemical Co. (1983), and over 40 federal appellate cases.
- He then held the role of Counsel to the Council on Environmental Quality (1970–1973), helping design the Environmental Protection Agency and overseeing treaty negotiations.
- He obtained a B.S. in chemical engineering from Iowa State University in 1962, served in the U.S. Army (Third Infantry Division) from 1963–1965, and later received a J.D. from Stanford Law School in 1968, where he was Note Editor of the Stanford Law Review and a member of the Order of the Coif.
- Born February 10, 1941 in Iowa Falls, Iowa, to Carl Friedrich and Catherine Lettow, Lettow grew up on a family farm and developed a strong work ethic through rural life.
- Date of birth: 1941-02-10
- He argued three U.S. Supreme Court cases, including U.S. v.
- Recognized for his contributions to legal scholarship and public service, including awards from the National Association of Attorneys General and the National State and Local Legal Center.
- His career spanned military service, high-level government work, private legal practice, and judicial service, leaving a lasting mark on federal claims jurisprudence.
- Lettow was married to Sue Lettow and had four children.

## Before you appear

- Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed.
- Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance.
- Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding.

## Courtroom Rules

### motion form

Scope: courtwide

Request a court order by motion. The motion must be written unless made during a hearing or trial, state the grounds with particularity, and state the relief sought.

Evidence excerpt: The motion must: (A) be in writing unless made during a hearing or trial; (B) state with particularity the grounds for seeking the order; and (C) state the relief sought.

[Rules of the United States Court of Federal Claims](https://www.uscfc.uscourts.gov/sites/cfc/files/Rules%207.27.2026.pdf)
Source checked: 2026-07-30

### supporting materials

Scope: courtwide

A motion, objection, or response may be accompanied by a brief or memorandum and, when needed, supporting affidavits.

Evidence excerpt: Any motion, objection, or response may be accompanied by a brief or memorandum and, if necessary, affidavits supporting the motion.

[Rules of the United States Court of Federal Claims](https://www.uscfc.uscourts.gov/sites/cfc/files/Rules%207.27.2026.pdf)
Source checked: 2026-07-30

### meet and confer

Scope: courtwide

Before filing a nondispositive motion, make a reasonable good-faith effort to discuss it with opposing counsel, determine whether it is opposed, narrow disagreements, and include the required certification.

Evidence excerpt: The motion must: (1) include a certification that the movant has in good faith conferred or attempted to confer with opposing counsel.

[Rules of the United States Court of Federal Claims](https://www.uscfc.uscourts.gov/sites/cfc/files/Rules%207.27.2026.pdf)
Source checked: 2026-07-30

### trial testimony

Scope: courtwide

Trial testimony is taken in open court unless an identified rule or statute provides otherwise. Remote contemporaneous testimony requires good cause, compelling circumstances, and appropriate safeguards.

Evidence excerpt: For good cause in compelling circumstances and with appropriate safeguards, the court may permit testimony in open court by contemporaneous transmission from a different location.

[Rules of the United States Court of Federal Claims](https://www.uscfc.uscourts.gov/sites/cfc/files/Rules%207.27.2026.pdf)
Source checked: 2026-07-30


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/9910/charles-f-lettow/)
- [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/9910/charles-f-lettow/)
- [United States Court of Federal Claims current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/9910/charles-f-lettow/)
- [Rules of the United States Court of Federal Claims](https://www.uscfc.uscourts.gov/sites/cfc/files/Rules%207.27.2026.pdf)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/9910/charles-f-lettow/)
- [U.S. Court of Federal Claims: Lettow, Charles Frederick | Federal Judicial Center](https://www.fjc.gov/history/courts/us-court-federal-claims-lettow-charles-frederick)

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