---
title: "Ferdinand Francis Fernandez | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/ferdinand-francis-fernandez"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-09"
---

# Ferdinand Francis Fernandez

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

## Profile

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

- Senior Judge, Ninth Circuit (since June 1, 2002)
- Judge, District Court, C.D. California, 1985-1989
- Judge, Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino, 1980-1985
- Law clerk, Hon. William M. Byrne, U.S. District Court, Central District of California, 1963-1964
- Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

### Education

- Harvard University — LL.M. (1963)
- Harvard Law School — LL.M. (1963)
- University of Southern California — B.S. (1958)

### Additional information

- 28, 1989) Confirmed by Senate (May 18, 1989) Commissioned May 22, 1989
- 17, 1985; tenure ended May 24, 1989 due to elevation
- 16, 1985) Commissioned Oct.
- Private practice, Pomona, CA, 1964-1980
- Private practice in Pomona, California (1964–1980)
- Date of birth: 1937-01-01
- USC Gould School of Law
- Birth place: Pasadena, CA

## 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/1380686)
- [Official roster](https://www.fjc.gov/node/1380686)
- [Federal Judicial Center biography](https://www.fjc.gov/node/1380686)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/1045/ferdinand-francis-fernandez/)
- [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/1045/ferdinand-francis-fernandez/)
- [Wikidata: Ferdinand Francis Fernandez](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5443835)

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