---
title: "Rhesa Hawkins Barksdale | KnowJudges"
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page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# Rhesa Hawkins Barksdale

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: senior
- Last verified: 2026-07-25

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Biography

### Professional career

- Judge, Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, 1990-2009
- Law clerk, Hon. Byron White, Supreme Court of the United States, 1972-1973
- U.S. Supreme Court, Justice Byron White — law clerk (1972–1973)
- As a senior judge, Barksdale continues to sit on panels and author opinions in Fifth Circuit cases, with recent appearances in matters such as United States v
- Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
- In summary, Rhesa Hawkins Barksdale is a decorated military veteran, distinguished legal scholar, and long-serving federal judge whose career spans military service, legal practice, and over two decades on the Fifth Circuit

### Education

- University of Mississippi School of Law, first in class — J.D. (1972)

### Additional information

- Instructor, Mississippi College School of Law, 1976-present
- 14, 2025) and Jackson v.
- He assumed senior status on August 8, 2009.
- Confirmed by the Senate on March 9, 1990 and commissioned on March 12, 1990.
- Private practice, Jackson, MS, 1973-1990
- From 1973 to 1990, Barksdale practiced law in Jackson, Mississippi, and also taught constitutional law at the University of Mississippi School of Law and Mississippi College School of Law.
- On November 17, 1989, President George H. W. Bush nominated Barksdale to the Fifth Circuit, a seat vacated by Alvin B. Rubin.
- Chairman, Mississippi Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program, 1982-1985
- He chaired the Mississippi Vietnam Veterans Leadership Program from 1982 to 1985.
- Instructor in constitutional law, University of Mississippi Law School Paralegal Course, 1975-1976
- B.S. from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1966 and served in the U.S. Army from 1966 to 1970, including combat service in Vietnam, where he received the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Silver Star, and Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star.
- Date of birth: 1944-01-01
- Murrah High School
- Birth place: Jackson, MS

## 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/1377456)
- [Official roster](https://www.fjc.gov/node/1377456)
- [Federal Judicial Center biography](https://www.fjc.gov/node/1377456)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/174/rhesa-hawkins-barksdale/)
- [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/174/rhesa-hawkins-barksdale/)
- [Wikidata: Rhesa Hawkins Barksdale](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7320422)

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