---
title: "Richard Edward Neel Federico | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/richard-edward-neel-federico"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# Richard Edward Neel Federico

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

## Profile

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

- American lawyer and United States circuit judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit, serving since December 13, 2023
- Office of the Federal Public Defender, District of Kansas, 2017-2023; research and writing specialist, 2017-2018; assistant federal public defender, 2018-2020; senior litigator, 2020-2023
- Trial counsel, Navy Reserve Region Legal Service Office Southwest, Navy Base San Diego, California, 2020-2022
- Appellate defense counsel, Navy Reserve Navy-Marine Corps Appellate Review Authority, Washington Navy Yard, Washington, D.C., 2015-2019
- Assistant federal public defender, District of Oregon, 2015-2017
- Defense Service Office Southeast, Naval Station Mayport, Jacksonville, Florida, 2012-2015; senior defense counsel, 2012-2013, 2014; officer in charge, 2013, 2014-2015
- Served 20 years in the U.S. Navy (2002–2015) as a Captain in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps, in roles as prosecutor, defense counsel, and military judge
- Executive officer, Navy Legal Service Office Southeast, Naval Station Mayport, Jacksonville, Florida, 2012
- Defense counsel, Office of Military Commissions, Washington, D.C., 2008-2011
- U.S. Region Legal Service Office Europe and Southwest Asia, U.S. Naval Support Activity Naples, Italy, 2005-2008; trial counsel, 2005-2006; director, military justice, 2006-2008
- Trial counsel, Trial Service Office East, Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, 2003-2005
- Former U.S. Navy Captain and military judge

### Education

- (highest distinction), Georgetown University Law Center — LL.M. (2012)
- University of Kansas School of Law — J.D. (2002)
- in Journalism, Indiana University Bloomington — B.A. (1999)

### Additional information

- Commissioned: December 13, 2023
- Confirmed by Senate: December 11, 2023, by a vote of 61–29
- Federal Public Defender for the District of Kansas (2017–2023), including research/writing specialist, assistant FPD, and senior litigator
- Seat vacated by: Mary Beck Briscoe, who assumed senior status in 2021
- Born 1977.
- Appointed by: President Joe Biden

## 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/13761401)
- [Official roster](https://www.fjc.gov/node/13761401)
- [Federal Judicial Center biography](https://www.fjc.gov/node/13761401)
- [Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 34, Oral Argument](https://www.uscourts.gov/forms-rules/current-rules-practice-procedure/federal-rules-appellate-procedure)
- [Judge Richard Edward Neel Federico](https://www.fjc.gov/node/13761401)

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