---
title: "Harry Thomas Edwards | KnowJudges"
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---

# Harry Thomas Edwards

U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit · U.S. Circuit Judge

## Profile

- Court: U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia 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

- Professor of Law at NYU School of Law since 1990
- Judge, District Court, District of Columbia, 1980-2005
- Service: Served on the D.C. Circuit from 1980 to 2005, rising to Chief Judge from September 1994 to July 16, 2001
- Professor of law, University of Michigan Law School, 1977-1980
- Professor of law, Harvard Law School, 1975-1977
- Professor of law, University of Michigan Law School, 1970-1975
- Harry Thomas Edwards is an American lawyer, jurist, and professor, currently serving as a Senior Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit

### Education

- in, University of Michigan Law School (graduated with distinction; member of Michigan Law Review and Order of the Coif) — J.D. (1965)
- Cornell University — B.S. (1962)

### Additional information

- Senior Status: Assumed senior status on November 3, 2005.
- Appointment: Nominated by President Jimmy Carter on December 6, 1979, to replace David L. Bazelon; confirmed by the Senate on February 20, 1980.
- Chairman of the board, National Railroad Passenger Corporation, 1978-1980
- Was Chairman of the Board of Amtrak (1978–1980).
- held the role of a labor arbitrator (1971–1980).
- Taught law at University of Michigan (1970–75, 1977–80) and Harvard Law School (1975–77).
- Private practice, Chicago, IL, 1965-1970
- Practiced law in Chicago (1965–1970).
- Born November 3, 1940, New York City.
- Date of birth: 1940-01-01
- Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, American Law Institute, and American Bar Foundation.
- Former Co-Chair of the Committee on Identifying the Needs of the Forensic Science Community (National Academy of Sciences).
- 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

### 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/1380411)
- [Official roster](https://www.fjc.gov/node/1380411)
- [Federal Judicial Center biography](https://www.fjc.gov/node/1380411)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/975/harry-thomas-edwards/)
- [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/975/harry-thomas-edwards/)

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