---
title: "Mary J Schoelen | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/mary-j-schoelen-10137"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# Mary J Schoelen

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, 2004-present
- Mary Jeannette Schoelen is a Senior Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, appointed in 2004 and elevated to senior status in 2019
- 2004–2019: Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims
- National Veterans Legal Services Project — law clerk during law school

### Education

- George Washington University Law School — J.D. (1993)
- University of California, Irvine — B.A. (1990)

### Additional information

- Mary J. Schoelen serves on senior status at the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (CAVC) since December 20, 2019, after a 15-year active judicial term.
- 2019–present: Senior Judge (retired recall)
- Nominated by President George W. Bush and confirmed by the Senate in 2004.
- 1997–2004: Staff for the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, holding roles including: Minority Counsel (1997–2001) Minority General Counsel (2001–June 2001) Deputy Staff Director for Benefits Programs and General Counsel (2001–2004)
- 1994–1997: Staff attorney, Vietnam Veterans of America’s Veterans Benefits Program
- 1994: Interned with the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs
- Judge Schoelen’s career reflects deep expertise in veterans’ benefits law, with extensive legislative and policy work in the U.S. Senate before her judicial appointment.
- Born: Rota, Spain, while her father was stationed there
- She is recognized for her contributions to fair adjudication of veterans’ claims and her leadership in veterans’ legal advocacy.

## 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/10137/mary-j-schoelen/)
- [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/10137/mary-j-schoelen/)
- [United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/10137/mary-j-schoelen/)
- [Rule 34: Oral Argument](https://www.uscourts.cavc.gov/rule34.php)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/10137/mary-j-schoelen/)

## JSON-LD

```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@graph": [
    {
      "@type": "WebPage",
      "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/mary-j-schoelen-10137",
      "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/mary-j-schoelen-10137",
      "name": "Mary J Schoelen | KnowJudges",
      "description": "Mary J Schoelen, 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/mary-j-schoelen-10137#judge"
      }
    },
    {
      "@type": "Person",
      "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/mary-j-schoelen-10137#judge",
      "name": "Mary J Schoelen",
      "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/mary-j-schoelen-10137",
      "jobTitle": "U.S. Circuit Judge",
      "worksFor": {
        "@type": "GovernmentOrganization",
        "name": "United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims"
      },
      "sameAs": [
        "https://www.courtlistener.com/person/10137/mary-j-schoelen/"
      ]
    },
    {
      "@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": "Mary J Schoelen",
          "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/mary-j-schoelen-10137"
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
}
```