---
title: "David Frank Hamilton | KnowJudges"
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# David Frank Hamilton

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit · U.S. Circuit Judge

## Profile

- Court: U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
- State: National federal courts
- Role: U.S. Circuit Judge
- Service status: senior
- Last verified: 2026-07-25

## Summary

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

## Biography

### Professional career

- Judge, Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, 2009-present
- Served until November 24, 2009, when appointed to the Seventh Circuit. held the role of Chief Judge of the Southern District of Indiana from January 1, 2008, to November 24, 2009
- Judge, District Court, S.D. Indiana, 1994-2009
- Previous Role: Judge, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana (1994–2009)
- Private practice in Indianapolis (1984–1989, 1991–1994) at Barnes & Thornburg
- Law clerk, Hon. Richard Cudahy, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, 1983-1984
- Law clerk to Judge Richard Cudahy (7th Circuit) from 1983–1984
- Current Role: Senior Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
- Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit

### Education

- Yale University — J.D. (1983)
- Yale Law School — J.D. (1983)
- Haverford College — B.A. (1979)
- Fulbright Scholar at the University of Tübingen, Germany.

### Additional information

- Served until December 5, 2022, when he took senior status.
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit: Nominated by President Barack Obama on March 17, 2009, to replace Kenneth F. Ripple, confirmed by the Senate on November 19, 2009 (59–39 vote).
- U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana: Nominated by President Bill Clinton on June 8, 1994, confirmed October 7, 1994, and commissioned October 11, 1994.
- Legal Counsel to Indiana Governor Evan Bayh (1989–1991).
- Date of birth: 1957-01-01
- Counsel, Gov.
- Extensive pro bono work with the Indiana Civil Liberties Union, serving as board member and Vice President for Litigation.

## 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

### appellate oral argument

Scope: courtwide

In federal courts of appeals, oral argument is allowed unless a three-judge panel unanimously finds one of Rule 34's specified grounds for dispensing with it; the clerk provides the date, time, place, and time allocation.

Evidence excerpt: Oral argument must be allowed in every case unless a panel of three judges who have examined the briefs and record unanimously agrees that oral argument is unnecessary

[Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 34, Oral Argument](https://www.uscourts.gov/forms-rules/current-rules-practice-procedure/federal-rules-appellate-procedure)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://www.fjc.gov/node/1381726)
- [Official roster](https://www.fjc.gov/node/1381726)
- [Federal Judicial Center biography](https://www.fjc.gov/node/1381726)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/1343/david-frank-hamilton/)
- [Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 34, Oral Argument](https://www.uscourts.gov/forms-rules/current-rules-practice-procedure/federal-rules-appellate-procedure)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/1343/david-frank-hamilton/)
- [Wikidata: David Hamilton](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5234683)

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