---
title: "Elena Kagan | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/elena-kagan"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-09"
---

# Elena Kagan

Supreme Court of the United States · Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court

## Profile

- Court: Supreme Court of the United States
- State: National federal courts
- Role: Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-07-29

## Summary

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

## Biography

### Professional career

- Justice, Supreme Court of the United States, 2010-present
- President Obama nominated Kagan in May 2010 to fill the seat vacated by Justice John Paul Stevens
- In 2003, she became Harvard Law School’s first female dean
- Worked in private practice in Washington, D.C., then became a professor at the University of Chicago Law School (1991–1997)
- Law clerk, Hon. Thurgood Marshall, Supreme Court of the United States, 1987-1988
- Law clerk, Hon. Abner Mikva, U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, 1986-1987
- Born April 28, 1960 in New York City, Kagan is the daughter of Robert Kagan, a lawyer, and Gloria Gittelman Kagan, an elementary school teacher
- Kagan clerked for Judge Abner Mikva on the D.C. Circuit and for Justice Thurgood Marshall on the Supreme Court
- The fourth woman and the most recent justice appointed without prior judicial experience
- Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States

### Education

- Harvard University — J.D. (1986)
- Harvard Law School in — J.D. (1986)
- Princeton University — B.A. (1981)
- Hunter College High School

### Additional information

- Special counsel, U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary, 1993-present
- The Senate confirmed her 63–37 on August 5, 2010, and she was sworn in on August 7, 2010.
- Solicitor general of the United States, 2009-2010
- professor, 2001-2010
- Faculty, Harvard Law School, 1999-2010
- In 2009, she was the first female U.S. Solicitor General.
- dean, 2003-2009
- visiting professor, 1999-2001
- Nominated to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals in 1999, but the Senate did not hold hearings.
- Deputy assistant for domestic policy and deputy director of the domestic policy council, Executive Office of the President, 1997-1999
- President Bill Clinton appointed her Associate White House Counsel (1995–1996) and later Deputy Director of the Domestic Policy Council (1997–1999).
- professor, 1994-1997
- Faculty, University of Chicago Law School, 1991-1997
- Associate counsel, President William J. Clinton, 1995-1996
- assistant professor, 1991-1994
- Private practice, Washington, D.C., 1989-1991
- Date of birth: 1960-04-28
- She was supervising editor of the Harvard Law Review.
- Kagan is Jewish, the daughter of a lawyer and a teacher, and grew up in New York City.
- She has been active in public service and academic leadership throughout her career.
- In summary: Elena Kagan is a distinguished jurist with a career spanning academia, government service, and the highest court in the land, recognized for her legal scholarship, leadership, and commitment to the rule of law.
- Birth place: New York, NY

## 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

### courtroom address

Scope: courtwide

Wait at the lectern until recognized, open with the court's prescribed salutation, do not introduce counsel, address the Chief Justice with the specified title, and address other Justices as Justice [name] or Your Honor, not Judge.

Evidence excerpt: Others are referred to as "Justice Thomas," "Justice Kagan," or "Your Honor." Do not use the title "Judge."

[Guide for Counsel in Cases to be Argued, October Term 2024](https://www.supremecourt.gov/casehand/Guide%20for%20Counsel%202024.pdf)
Source checked: 2026-07-30

### argument time

Scope: courtwide

Argument is normally scheduled for 30 minutes, but counsel need not use all allotted time.

Evidence excerpt: Your argument time is normally scheduled for 30 minutes (Rule 28.3). You need not use all your time.

[Guide for Counsel in Cases to be Argued, October Term 2024](https://www.supremecourt.gov/casehand/Guide%20for%20Counsel%202024.pdf)
Source checked: 2026-07-30

### time signal

Scope: courtwide

When the red light comes on, finish answering the pending question but do not present a summation.

Evidence excerpt: When the red light comes on, counsel may finish responding to a question that is pending, but should not present a summation.

[Guide for Counsel in Cases to be Argued, October Term 2024](https://www.supremecourt.gov/casehand/Guide%20for%20Counsel%202024.pdf)
Source checked: 2026-07-30

### prepared script

Scope: courtwide

Speak clearly into the microphone, do not read from a prepared script, and do not use rapid-fire delivery to stretch argument time.

Evidence excerpt: Under no circumstances should you read your argument from a prepared script. You should not attempt to enhance your argument time by a rapid fire delivery.

[Guide for Counsel in Cases to be Argued, October Term 2024](https://www.supremecourt.gov/casehand/Guide%20for%20Counsel%202024.pdf)
Source checked: 2026-07-30

### justice questions

Scope: courtwide

Never interrupt a Justice. If interrupted, stop speaking immediately, listen, and give that Justice full attention.

Evidence excerpt: Never interrupt a Justice who is addressing you. Give your full time and attention to that Justice.

[Guide for Counsel in Cases to be Argued, October Term 2024](https://www.supremecourt.gov/casehand/Guide%20for%20Counsel%202024.pdf)
Source checked: 2026-07-30

### direct answers

Scope: courtwide

Answer questions directly, use yes or no when possible before explaining, and say so if you do not know the answer.

Evidence excerpt: Make every effort to answer questions directly. If at all possible, say "yes" or "no," and then expand upon your answer if you wish. If you do not know the answer, say so.

[Guide for Counsel in Cases to be Argued, October Term 2024](https://www.supremecourt.gov/casehand/Guide%20for%20Counsel%202024.pdf)
Source checked: 2026-07-30


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://www.supremecourt.gov/about/biographies.aspx)
- [Official roster](https://www.supremecourt.gov/about/biographies.aspx)
- [Supreme Court of the United States current members](https://www.supremecourt.gov/about/biographies.aspx)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/1691/elena-kagan/)
- [Guide for Counsel in Cases to be Argued, October Term 2024](https://www.supremecourt.gov/casehand/Guide%20for%20Counsel%202024.pdf)
- [Supreme Court of the United States judicial profile or roster](https://www.supremecourt.gov/about/biographies.aspx)
- [Wikidata: Elena Kagan](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q11105)
- [Supreme Court of the United States judicial profile or roster](https://www.supremecourt.gov/about/biographies.aspx)
- [Wikidata: Elena Kagan](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q11105)

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