---
title: "Ronald Lee Gilman | KnowJudges"
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# Ronald Lee Gilman

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

## Profile

- Court: U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth 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 Sixth Circuit, 1997-2010
- Began his legal career in private practice in Memphis, Tennessee (1967–1997) and later became a professor at the University of Memphis School of Law (1980–1997)
- Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit

### Education

- Harvard University — J.D. (1967)
- Harvard Law School in — J.D. (1967)
- B.S. in Economics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1964
- S.B. — Massachusetts Institute of Technology — 1964

### Additional information

- He assumed senior status on November 21, 2010.
- On July 16, 1997, President Bill Clinton nominated Gilman to the Sixth Circuit, replacing Herbert Theodore Milburn.
- The U.S. Senate confirmed him 98–1 on November 6, 1997, and he received his commission on November 7, 1997.
- Referee, Private Adduction Center, 1994-1997
- Referee at the Private Adjudication Center (1994–1997)
- Arbitrator/mediator, National Association of Securities Dealers, 1993-1997
- Arbitrator/mediator, American Arbitration Association, 1988-1997
- Private practice, Memphis, TN, 1967-1997
- Date of birth: 1942-01-01
- Recognized for his meticulous, precedent-driven approach, fairness, and collegiality.
- Also noted for mentoring law clerks and promoting alternative dispute resolution.
- His judicial philosophy emphasizes restraint, adherence to precedent, and practical sensitivity to the real-world impact of rulings.
- Birth place: Memphis, TN

## 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/1390481)
- [Official roster](https://www.fjc.gov/node/1390481)
- [Federal Judicial Center biography](https://www.fjc.gov/node/1390481)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/1208/ronald-lee-gilman/)
- [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/1208/ronald-lee-gilman/)
- [Wikidata: Ronald Lee Gilman](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7365054)

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