---
title: "Kurt Damian Engelhardt | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/kurt-damian-engelhardt"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# Kurt Damian Engelhardt

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

## Profile

- Court: U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth 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, E.D. Louisiana, 2001-present
- United States Circuit Judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, appointed by President Donald J. Trump and confirmed by the Senate in May 2018
- During that time, he was Chief Judge of the Eastern District from 2015 to 2018
- Law clerk, Hon. Charles Grisbaum, Louisiana Court of Appeal, Fifth Judicial Circuit, 1985-1987
- Began his legal career as a law clerk to Judge Charles Grisbaum of the Louisiana Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal (1985–1987)

### Education

- Louisiana State University Paul M. Hebert Law Center — J.D. (1985)
- Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College — B.A. (1982)
- in History, Louisiana State University — B.A. (1982)

### Additional information

- Member of the New Orleans chapter of the Federalist Society since 2002.
- As of June 2026, Engelhardt announced he will take senior status at the end of 2026 or upon confirmation of a successor, creating a vacancy on the Fifth Circuit.
- On January 8, 2018, Trump nominated Engelhardt to the Fifth Circuit, replacing Edith Brown Clement.
- The Senate confirmed him on May 9, 2018, and he was sworn in on May 10, 2018.
- Confirmed by the Senate on December 11, 2001, he served until May 15, 2018.
- In 2001, President George W. Bush nominated him to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana, a seat vacated by Morey Leonard Sear.
- Private practice, Louisiana, 1987-2001
- Born April 21, 1960, in New Orleans, Louisiana.
- Date of birth: 1960-01-01
- He will continue to serve as a senior judge.
- He then practiced law in Louisiana, first at Little & Metzger and later at Hailey, McNamara, Hall, Larmann & Papale LLP.
- Birth place: New Orleans, LA

## 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/1391351)
- [Official roster](https://www.fjc.gov/node/1391351)
- [Federal Judicial Center biography](https://www.fjc.gov/node/1391351)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/996/kurt-d-engelhardt/)
- [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/996/kurt-d-engelhardt/)
- [Wikidata: Kurt D. Engelhardt](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q6446680)

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