---
title: "David Austin Tapp | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/david-austin-tapp-14455"
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# David Austin Tapp

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, 2019-present
- American judge serving on the United States Court of Federal Claims since November 19, 2019
- Educational roles: Adjunct professor at University of Louisville School of Law (2015–present)
- Kentucky Circuit Court Judge (28th Judicial Circuit) from 2005 to 2019
- Criminal Justice Administration — Chaminade University of Honolulu — 1991

### Education

- University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law — J.D. (1993)
- Morehead State University — B.A. (1983)
- Currently participates in Duke University’s Master of Judicial Studies program.

### Additional information

- Nomination date: March 5, 2019
- Commission issued: November 19, 2019; oath taken November 22, 2019
- Senate confirmation: November 5, 2019, by a vote of 85–8
- He has received the National Association of Drug Court Professionals’ “All Rise” Award (2011) for work on substance abuse treatment courts.
- Private practice in Somerset, KY (1996–2005)
- Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney (1994–1996)
- Born 1962 in Lexington, Kentucky.
- Date of birth: 1962-01-01
- Other service: Chair of Kentucky’s Circuit Judges Education Committee; co-chair of U.S. Court of Federal Claims Advisory Counsel.
- Appointed by: President Donald J. Trump
- Court function: The U.S. Court of Federal Claims hears monetary claims against the U.S. government, including those for breach of contract, torts, and other statutory claims.
- Tapp is a frequent speaker and author on civil and criminal procedure, court culture, judicial stress, and evidence issues.
- He also served on the U.S. Coordinating Council on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention and Kentucky’s Judicial Child Fatality Task Force.
- Birth place: Lexington, KY

## 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/14455/david-austin-tapp/)
- [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/14455/david-austin-tapp/)
- [United States Court of Federal Claims current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/14455/david-austin-tapp/)
- [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/14455/david-austin-tapp/)
- [U.S. Court of Federal Claims: Tapp, David Austin | Federal Judicial Center](https://www.fjc.gov/history/courts/us-court-federal-claims-tapp-david-austin)
- [Wikidata: David A. Tapp](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q47493077)

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