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title: "S. Jay Plager | KnowJudges"
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# S. Jay Plager

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

## Profile

- Court: U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal 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 Federal Circuit, 1989-2000
- Associate director, U.S. Office of Management and Budget, 1987-1988
- Dean and professor, Indiana University School of Law, 1977-1984
- Law professor, University of Illinois, 1963-1977
- Visiting professor, University of Wisconsin Law School, 1967-1968
- Law professor, University of Florida, 1958-1963
- Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

### Education

- B.A., University of North Carolina (1952) J.D., University of Florida College of Law (1958) LL.M., Columbia Law School (1961)
- University of Florida College of Law (now Fredric G. Levin College of Law) — J.D. (1958)
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

### Additional information

- Visiting fellow, Cambridge University and Rockefeller Foundation Research Center, 1980-present
- Assumed senior status: November 30, 2000.
- Administrator, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, U.S. Office of Management and Budget, 1988-1989
- Senior roles in U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Office of Management and Budget (1986–1989).
- Counselor to the undersecretary of health and human services, 1986-1987
- Visiting scholar, Stanford Law School, 1984-1985
- Served in the U.S. Navy from 1948 to 1970, retiring with the rank of Commander.
- Born: May 16, 1931, Long Branch, New Jersey.
- Date of birth: 1931-01-01
- Visiting scholar/fellow at Wisconsin, Stanford, Cambridge, and Rockefeller Foundation.
- Birth place: Long Branch, NJ

## 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

### argument check in

Scope: courtwide

Arguing counsel must check in with the courtroom deputy at least 30 minutes before the day's session starts.

Evidence excerpt: Arguing counsel must check-in with the courtroom deputy at their assigned courtroom at least thirty minutes before the start of the day's session.

[Federal Circuit: Attending Oral Arguments](https://www.cafc.uscourts.gov/home/oral-argument/attending-oral-arguments/)
Source checked: 2026-07-30

### same day changes

Scope: courtwide

Same-day changes to arguing counsel or time divisions are generally not allowed without a prior new appearance and amended response to the notice of oral argument.

Evidence excerpt: Same-day changes to arguing counsel or time divisions are generally not allowed, absent prior filing of a new entry of appearance and an amended Response to Notice of Oral Argument in the case.

[Federal Circuit: Attending Oral Arguments](https://www.cafc.uscourts.gov/home/oral-argument/attending-oral-arguments/)
Source checked: 2026-07-30


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://www.fjc.gov/node/1386371)
- [Official roster](https://www.fjc.gov/node/1386371)
- [Federal Judicial Center biography](https://www.fjc.gov/node/1386371)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/2576/sheldon-jay-plager/)
- [Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 34, Oral Argument](https://www.uscourts.gov/forms-rules/current-rules-practice-procedure/federal-rules-appellate-procedure)
- [Federal Circuit: Attending Oral Arguments](https://www.cafc.uscourts.gov/home/oral-argument/attending-oral-arguments/)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/2576/sheldon-jay-plager/)
- [Judge S. Jay Plager](https://www.fjc.gov/node/1386371)
- [Wikidata: S. Jay Plager](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7387558)

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