---
title: "Richard A. Paez | KnowJudges"
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page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-09"
---

# Richard A. Paez

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

## Profile

- Court: U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth 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 Ninth Circuit, 2000-present
- Judge, District Court, C.D. California, 1994-2000
- Trial Judge, Municipal Court of California, County of Los Angeles, 1981-1994
- Began his legal career as a staff attorney for California Rural Legal Assistance (1972–1974) and then for the Western Center on Law and Poverty (1974–1976)

### Education

- University of California, Berkeley, Boalt Hall School of Law in — J.D. (1972)
- Brigham Young University in — B.A. (1969)

### Additional information

- He assumed senior status on December 13, 2021, following the confirmation of his successor, Lucy H. Koh.
- received his commission on March 14, 2000.
- On January 26, 1999, Paez was nominated to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit to fill the seat vacated by Cecil F. Poole.
- received his commission on June 16, 1994.
- Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles, California, 1976-1981; senior counsel, 1976-1978; director of litigation, 1978-1979; deputy director of litigation, 1979-1980; acting executive director and director of litigation, 1980-1981
- Joined the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles in 1976, serving in various roles including senior counsel, director of litigation, deputy director for litigation, and acting executive director until 1981.
- Richard Anthony Paez was born on May 5, 1947, in Salt Lake City, Utah.
- Date of birth: 1947-01-01
- The second Mexican American to serve on this court.
- Recognized for his long-standing service on the federal bench, his advocacy for judicial independence, and his contributions to civil rights and legal aid early in his career.
- His confirmation process highlighted the political challenges faced by judicial nominees and underscored his resilience and commitment to public service.
- Birth place: Salt Lake City, UT

## 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/1386026)
- [Official roster](https://www.fjc.gov/node/1386026)
- [Federal Judicial Center biography](https://www.fjc.gov/node/1386026)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/2487/richard-a-paez/)
- [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/2487/richard-a-paez/)
- [Judge Richard A. Paez](https://www.fjc.gov/node/1386026)
- [Wikidata: Richard Paez](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7328257)

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