---
title: "David Rasmussen Hansen | KnowJudges"
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# David Rasmussen Hansen

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

## Profile

- Court: U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth 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

- held the role of Chief Judge of the Eighth Circuit from February 1, 2002, to April 1, 2003
- Judge, Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, 1991-2003
- Judge, District Court, N.D. Iowa, 1986-1991
- He also served as a judge in Iowa’s Second Judicial District from 1976 to 1986
- Served in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps from 1964 to 1968
- Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
- Hansen’s career spans over four decades in the federal judiciary, from district court to appellate court, and includes leadership as Chief Judge

### Education

- George Washington University Law School in — J.D. (1963)
- Northwest Missouri State University in — B.A. (1960)

### Additional information

- Partner, Win-Gin Farms, Iowa Falls, IA, 1971-present
- Assumed senior status on April 1, 2003.
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit: Nominated by President George H. W. Bush on July 30, 1991, confirmed November 15, 1991, and commissioned November 18, 1991.
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Iowa: Nominated by President Ronald Reagan on February 3, 1986, confirmed March 3, 1986, and commissioned March 4, 1986.
- Before joining the federal courts, Hansen practiced law in Atlantic and Iowa Falls, Iowa, held the role of a Iowa Falls police court judge (1969–1973), was a partner in Win-Gin Farms, and was chairman of the Hardin County Republican Central Committee (1975–1976).
- Private practice, Iowa Falls, IA, 1968-1976
- U.S. Army, JAG Corps, 1964-1968
- Private practice, Atlantic, IA, 1963-1964
- Date of birth: 1938-01-01
- His work is documented in the Federal Judicial Center and Ezel databases, which preserve his rulings and judicial philosophy.
- Birth place: Exira, IA

## 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/1381806)
- [Official roster](https://www.fjc.gov/node/1381806)
- [Federal Judicial Center biography](https://www.fjc.gov/node/1381806)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/1361/david-rasmussen-hansen/)
- [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/1361/david-rasmussen-hansen/)
- [Wikidata: David R. Hansen](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5238815)

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