---
title: "Joshua Paul Kolar | KnowJudges"
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page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# Joshua Paul Kolar

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

## Profile

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

- American judge serving on the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit since January 31, 2024
- In summary: Judge Joshua P. Kolar is a veteran federal judge with a background in public prosecution, private legal practice, and military service, now serving on the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals since 2024
- Magistrate Judge: U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana (2019–2024)
- Served in Afghanistan (2014–2015) as a Navy Intelligence Officer
- Private Practice: Associate at Mayer Brown LLP, Chicago (2003–2005, 2006–2007)
- Law clerk, Hon. Wayne R. Andersen, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, 2005-2006

### Education

- Northwestern University School of Law (now Pritzker School of Law) — J.D. (2003)
- Northwestern University — B.A. (1999)

### Additional information

- Magistrate, District Court, N.D. Indiana, 2019-present
- U.S. Navy Reserve since 2009, rank Lieutenant Commander
- Confirmed by Senate: January 30, 2024, vote 66–25
- Predecessor: Michael Stephen Kanne (died June 16, 2022)
- Assistant U.S. attorney, Northern District of Indiana, 2007-2018; national security lead and antiterrorism advisory council coordinator, 2015-2018
- Assistant U.S. Attorney: Northern District of Indiana (2007–2018), including roles as National Security Lead and Anti-Terrorism Advisory Council Coordinator
- Private practice, Chicago, Illinois, 2003-2005, 2006-2007
- Born 1976 in Chicago, Illinois.
- Elhassani, securing a conviction for conspiracy to provide material support to ISIS.
- As Assistant U.S. Attorney, Kolar prosecuted cases involving public corruption, terrorism-related offenses, sanctions violations, narcotics conspiracies, and firearms offenses.
- He also handled high-profile cases such as United States v.
- Awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, and multiple campaign stars

## 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/13761466)
- [Official roster](https://www.fjc.gov/node/13761466)
- [Federal Judicial Center biography](https://www.fjc.gov/node/13761466)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/9245/joshua-p-kolar/)
- [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/9245/joshua-p-kolar/)
- [Judge Joshua Paul Kolar](https://www.fjc.gov/node/13761466)

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