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title: "Elaine D Kaplan | KnowJudges"
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# Elaine D Kaplan

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, 2013-present
- Elaine Debra Kaplan is an American judge on the United States Court of Federal Claims, appointed in 2013 and serving as Chief Judge from 2021 to April 10, 2025
- U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) (2009–2013) — General Counsel, then Acting Director in 2013
- Private practice (2003–2004) — Of counsel at Bernabei and Katz, an employment law firm
- U.S. Department of Labor (1979–1983) — Attorney in the Solicitor’s Office, litigating cases under the Black Lung Benefits Act and in special appellate litigation
- Being noted for a principled, collaborative leadership style and commitment to fairness and access to justice

### Education

- cum laude, Georgetown University Law Center — J.D. (1979)
- B.A. in History, State University of New York at Binghamton, 1976.

### Additional information

- Designated Chief Judge by President Joe Biden on March 2, 2021, a role she held until April 10, 2025.
- Nominated by President Barack Obama on March 19, 2013, to a seat vacated by Christine Odell Cook Miller, confirmed by the Senate on September 17, 2013, and took office on November 6, 2013.
- NTEU (2004–2009) — Senior Deputy General Counsel.
- National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) (1984–1998) — Litigation and leadership roles, culminating in Special Counsel (1998–2003) under President Clinton
- Born December 18, 1955, in Brooklyn, New York.
- Date of birth: 1955
- Strengthening federal whistleblower protections through her work as Special Counsel.
- The Court of Federal Claims handles monetary claims against the U.S. government, including those under the Federal Tort Claims Act and other statutes.
- overseeing whistleblower protections and Hatch Act enforcement.

## 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/9965/elaine-d-kaplan/)
- [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/9965/elaine-d-kaplan/)
- [United States Court of Federal Claims current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/9965/elaine-d-kaplan/)
- [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/9965/elaine-d-kaplan/)
- [U.S. Court of Federal Claims: Kaplan, Elaine Debra | Federal Judicial Center](https://www.fjc.gov/history/courts/us-court-federal-claims-kaplan-elaine-debra)

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