---
title: "John G. Roberts, Jr. | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/john-glover-roberts-jr"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-09"
---

# John G. Roberts, Jr.

Supreme Court of the United States · Chief Justice of the United States

## Profile

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

## Summary

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

## Biography

### Professional career

- Chief Justice of the United States (2005–present): Appointed by President George W. Bush and confirmed by the Senate on September 29, 2005
- Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit (2003–2005): Nominated by President George W. Bush and confirmed in 2003
- Before becoming Chief Justice, he held the role of a Judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit from 2003 to 2005.
- Principal deputy solicitor general, U.S. Department of Justice, 1989-1993
- Special assistant to the Attorney General of the United States, 1981-1982
- Law clerk, Hon. William Rehnquist, Supreme Court of the United States, 1980-1981
- Law clerk, Hon. Henry Friendly, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, 1979-1980

### Education

- Harvard University — J.D. (1979)
- Harvard University — B.A. (1976)
- Harvard College — B.A.

### Additional information

- Private practice, Washington, D.C., 1993-2003
- Private practice, Washington, D.C., 1986-1989
- Associate counsel, President Ronald Reagan, 1982-1986
- Date of birth: 1955-01-27
- John G. Roberts, Jr. has an extensive judicial career.
- Roberts previously worked in several legal and governmental roles, including clerking for Justice William Rehnquist and serving as Principal Deputy Solicitor General.
- La Lumiere School
- Birth place: Buffalo, 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/2738/john-glover-roberts-jr/)
- [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: John Roberts](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q11153)
- [Supreme Court of the United States judicial profile or roster](https://www.supremecourt.gov/about/biographies.aspx)
- [Wikidata: John Roberts](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q11153)

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