---
title: "Gustavo Antonio Gelpí Jr. | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/gustavo-antonio-gelpi-jr"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-09"
---

# Gustavo Antonio Gelpí Jr.

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

## Profile

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

## Summary

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

## Biography

### Professional career

- Judge, District Court, D. Puerto Rico, 2006-present
- Assistant to the attorney general, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, 1997-present
- U.S. District Judge, U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico (2006–2021) Nominated by President George W. Bush (April 24, 2006) Confirmed July 20, 2006; commissioned August 1, 2006 held the role of Chief Judge from April 13, 2018, to October 20, 2021
- U.S. Magistrate Judge, U.S. District Court, District of Puerto Rico, 2001-2006
- Assistant Attorney General and Solicitor General of Puerto Rico (1997–2000)
- Deputy attorney general for the office of legal counsel, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, 1997-1999
- Assistant federal public defender, District of Puerto Rico, 1993-1997
- Law clerk, Hon. Juan M. Perez-Gimenez, U.S. District Court, District of Puerto Rico, 1991-1993
- Law clerk to Hon. Juan M. Pérez-Giménez (U.S. District Court, D. Puerto Rico), 1991–1993
- American judge serving on the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit

### Education

- Suffolk University Law School — J.D. (1991)
- Brandeis University — B.A. (1987)

### Additional information

- Special litigation counsel, McConnell Valdes, 2001-present
- Elevated to the First Circuit in 2021, ending his district court service
- Confirmed by Senate: October 18, 2021, vote 52–41
- Solicitor general, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, 1999-2000
- Born December 11, 1965, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
- Date of birth: 1965-01-01
- Preceded by: Juan R. Torruella
- Academia del Perpetuo Socorro
- Birth place: San Juan

## 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/1392456)
- [Official roster](https://www.fjc.gov/node/1392456)
- [Federal Judicial Center biography](https://www.fjc.gov/node/1392456)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/1172/gustavo-antonio-gelpi-jr/)
- [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/1172/gustavo-antonio-gelpi-jr/)
- [Wikidata: Gustavo Gelpí](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5621408)

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