--- title: "Lawrence B Hagel | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/lawrence-b-hagel-10072" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Lawrence B Hagel United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims · U.S. Circuit Judge ## Profile - Court: United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims - State: National federal courts - Role: U.S. Circuit Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-06-30 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Judge, United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, 2003-present - Judge Lawrence B. Hagel is a senior judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, appointed in 2003 by President George W. Bush, who held the role of Chief Judge from 2015 to 2016 and took senior status in 2016 - Before joining the court, Hagel was General Counsel of the Paralyzed Veterans of America from 1999 to 2003, where he developed litigation strategies for veterans’ benefits cases and filed amicus briefs in the U.S. Supreme Court, including Brown v. ### Education - LL.M. (Labor Law), National Law Center at George Washington University, 1983, with highest honors - University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law — J.D. (1976) - in, U.S. Naval Academy — B.S. (1969) ### Additional information - Senior Status: Assumed senior status (retired recall) on October 8, 2016. - Chief Judge: held the role of Chief Judge from August 7, 2015, to October 8, 2016. - Joined the court in December 2003, following a nomination from President George W. Bush. - Appointment: Nominated by President George W. Bush and confirmed by the Senate in December 2003 to a renewable 15‐year term on the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. - He also co‐founded and served on the Executive Board of the Veterans Consortium Pro Bono Program (1992–2003). - Gardner. - Graduated from the Naval Academy, commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps. held the role of an infantry platoon commander, headquarters company commander, and field advisor to a Vietnamese infantry battalion during the Vietnam War. - Awards: Combat Action Ribbon, Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal. ## 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 ### oral argument permission Scope: courtwide Oral argument is allowed only when ordered by the court and will occur at the place and time the court orders. Evidence excerpt: Oral argument will be allowed only when ordered by the Court and will be held where and when the Court orders. [Rule 34: Oral Argument](https://www.uscourts.cavc.gov/rule34.php) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ### oral argument request Scope: courtwide For an appeal on the merits, move for oral argument no later than 14 days after the reply brief is due or filed, and explain why argument will aid the court. Do not embed the request in a brief. Evidence excerpt: A motion for oral argument shall specify why such argument will aid the Court. A motion for oral argument may not be included in any brief. [Rule 34: Oral Argument](https://www.uscourts.cavc.gov/rule34.php) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ### amicus argument Scope: courtwide An amicus curiae may participate in oral argument only by invitation of the court. Evidence excerpt: An amicus curiae will be permitted to participate in oral argument only at the invitation of the Court. [Rule 34: Oral Argument](https://www.uscourts.cavc.gov/rule34.php) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ### argument schedule changes Scope: courtwide Request postponement or additional argument time by motion reasonably before the argument date and show good cause. Evidence excerpt: A request for postponement of the argument or for the allowance of additional time shall be made by motion filed reasonably in advance of the date fixed for argument and shall contain a showing of good cause. [Rule 34: Oral Argument](https://www.uscourts.cavc.gov/rule34.php) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ### argument order Scope: courtwide The appellant generally opens and concludes merits argument; on a motion, the movant generally opens and concludes. Evidence excerpt: The appellant will generally open and conclude the argument. In argument on motions, the movant generally will open and conclude the argument. [Rule 34: Oral Argument](https://www.uscourts.cavc.gov/rule34.php) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ### physical exhibits Scope: courtwide Coordinate non-document physical exhibits with the clerk so they are in the courtroom before court convenes, and remove them after argument unless directed otherwise. Evidence excerpt: A party who wishes to use physical exhibits other than documents shall arrange with the Clerk to have them placed in the courtroom on the date of the argument before the Court convenes. [Rule 34: Oral Argument](https://www.uscourts.cavc.gov/rule34.php) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/10072/lawrence-b-hagel/) - [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/10072/lawrence-b-hagel/) - [United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/10072/lawrence-b-hagel/) - [Rule 34: Oral Argument](https://www.uscourts.cavc.gov/rule34.php) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/10072/lawrence-b-hagel/) - [Lawrence Hagel - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Lawrence_Hagel) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/lawrence-b-hagel-10072", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/lawrence-b-hagel-10072", "name": "Lawrence B Hagel | KnowJudges", "description": "Lawrence B Hagel, United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.", "dateModified": "2026-10-07", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/lawrence-b-hagel-10072#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/lawrence-b-hagel-10072#judge", "name": "Lawrence B Hagel", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/lawrence-b-hagel-10072", "jobTitle": "U.S. Circuit Judge", "worksFor": { "@type": "GovernmentOrganization", "name": "United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims" }, "sameAs": [ "https://www.courtlistener.com/person/10072/lawrence-b-hagel/" ] }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "KnowJudges", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "National federal courts", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/state/national-federal-courts" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Lawrence B Hagel", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/lawrence-b-hagel-10072" } ] } ] } ```