---
title: "Michael A. Chagares | KnowJudges"
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# Michael A. Chagares

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

## Profile

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

- Serves as a judge on the Third Circuit and as Chief Judge since 2021
- Judge, Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, 2006-present
- Adjunct professor: Seton Hall University School of Law (1991–2006)
- Assistant U.S. attorney, District of New Jersey, 1990-2004
- U.S. Attorney’s Office, D. of New Jersey: Assistant U.S. Attorney (1990–2004)
- Law clerk, Hon. Morton I. Greenberg, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, 1987-1988
- Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
- In summary: Michael A. Chagares is a veteran federal judge with a career spanning law clerking, private practice, high-level U.S. Attorney work, and now leadership of the Third Circuit Court of Appeals

### Education

- in, Seton Hall University School of Law — J.D. (1987)
- Gettysburg College — B.A. (1984)

### Additional information

- Current role: Member, Judicial Conference of the United States (2021–present)
- Appointment: Nominated by President George W. Bush on January 25, 2006, to replace Michael Chertoff, who resigned to become Secretary of Homeland Security.
- Confirmation: The U.S. Senate confirmed him on April 4, 2006, by a unanimous 98–0 vote; his commission was issued on April 20, 202006.
- Private practice, Hackensack, NJ, 2004-2006
- Chief, Civil Division (1999–2004)
- Private practice, New Jersey, 1988-1990
- Date of birth: 1962-01-01
- His unanimous Senate confirmation and long service reflect his recognized legal qualifications.
- Birth place: Pittsburgh, PA

## 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/1392371)
- [Official roster](https://www.fjc.gov/node/1392371)
- [Federal Judicial Center biography](https://www.fjc.gov/node/1392371)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/583/michael-a-chagares/)
- [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/583/michael-a-chagares/)
- [Wikidata: Michael Chagares](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q16194475)

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