--- title: "Scott J. Laurer | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/scott-j-laurer-15387" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Scott J. Laurer United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims · U.S. Circuit Judge ## Profile - Court: United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims - State: National federal courts - Role: U.S. Circuit Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-06-30 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Judge, United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, Washington, DC, 2020-present - Federal judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, appointed in August 2020 by President Donald J. Trump and confirmed by the Senate - Before judicial service, Laurer was a retired U.S. Navy Captain in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps, serving from 1990 to 2019. - Commanding Officer, U.S. Region Legal Service Office, Naples, Italy, 2013-2015 - Executive Assistant to Commander, Naval Legal Service Command & Deputy Judge Advocate General, U.S. Navy JAG Corps at the Pentagon, Washington, DC, 2007-2008 - Executive Officer, Naval Legal Legal Service Office Central, U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General's Corps, Pensacola, FL, 2003-2005 - Deputy Executive Assistant to the Judge Advocate General, U.S. Navy JAG Corps, Washington, DC, 1999-2000 - Administrative Law Attorney, Office of the Judge General Advocate of the Navy, Arlington, VA, 1997-1999 - Trial Counsel (Prosecutor) & Command Services Attorney, Naval Legal Service Office, U.S. Navy JAG Corps, San Francisco, CA, 1991-1993 - Commanding Officer, U.S. Region Legal Service Office Europe, Africa, and Southwest Asia - In summary, Judge Laurer’s career spans over three decades in the U.S. Navy legal service, high-level national security advisory roles, and now federal judicial service, reflecting a consistent commitment to public service and legal integrity ### Education - International and Comparative Law — George Washington University — 2001 - Temple University — J.D. (1990) - Political Science — Rutgers University-New Brunswick — 1987 - B.A. in Political Science, Rutgers University–New Brunswick J.D., Temple University Beasley School of Law LLM (International Law), George Washington University Law School ### Additional information - Deputy Legal Advisor, National Security Council, Washington, DC, 2017-2019 - Special Counsel to the Chief of Naval Operations, The Pentagon, Washington, DC, 2015-2017 - Legal Advisor for Strategic International Agreements for Commander, International Security Assistance Force and U.S. Forces-Afghanistan, Kabul, Afghanistan, 2012-2013 - Senior Legal Advisor, North American Aerospace Defense Command, Colorado Springs, CO, 2010-2012 - Deputy Legal Counsel, The Pentagon, Washington, DC, 2008-2010 - Chief, Operational Law & Exercises, Chief, Operational Law & ExercisesChief, Operational Law & Exercises U.S. European Command, Struttgart, Germany, 2005-2007 - Deputy Fleet Judge Advocate, U.S. Seventh Fleet, 1995-1997 - Staff Judge Advocate, Naval Special Warfare Group ONE, Coronado, CA, 1993-1995 - Born in Woodbury, New Jersey in 1965, Laurer is the third of seven children. - Date of birth: 1965-01-01 - Special Legal Advisor to Commander, International Security Assistance Force and U.S. Forces–Afghanistan - Senior Legal Advisor to Commander, North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command - Deputy Legal Counsel to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff - Preceded by: Mary J. Schoelen - He also supported combat operations as senior legal advisor for the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group during deployments in Operations Enduring Freedom, Southern Watch, and Iraqi Freedom. - His term is renewable for 15 years. - Judge Laurer serves on the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, a federal court with exclusive jurisdiction to review final benefit decisions of the Board of Veterans’ Appeals within the Department of Veterans Affairs. - His father served in the Navy during the Korean War era, and his uncle served in the Army in Vietnam. - He grew up in a family environment emphasizing service and teamwork. - Defense Meritorious Service Medal ## 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 ### oral argument permission Scope: courtwide Oral argument is allowed only when ordered by the court and will occur at the place and time the court orders. Evidence excerpt: Oral argument will be allowed only when ordered by the Court and will be held where and when the Court orders. [Rule 34: Oral Argument](https://www.uscourts.cavc.gov/rule34.php) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ### oral argument request Scope: courtwide For an appeal on the merits, move for oral argument no later than 14 days after the reply brief is due or filed, and explain why argument will aid the court. Do not embed the request in a brief. Evidence excerpt: A motion for oral argument shall specify why such argument will aid the Court. A motion for oral argument may not be included in any brief. [Rule 34: Oral Argument](https://www.uscourts.cavc.gov/rule34.php) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ### amicus argument Scope: courtwide An amicus curiae may participate in oral argument only by invitation of the court. Evidence excerpt: An amicus curiae will be permitted to participate in oral argument only at the invitation of the Court. [Rule 34: Oral Argument](https://www.uscourts.cavc.gov/rule34.php) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ### argument schedule changes Scope: courtwide Request postponement or additional argument time by motion reasonably before the argument date and show good cause. Evidence excerpt: A request for postponement of the argument or for the allowance of additional time shall be made by motion filed reasonably in advance of the date fixed for argument and shall contain a showing of good cause. [Rule 34: Oral Argument](https://www.uscourts.cavc.gov/rule34.php) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ### argument order Scope: courtwide The appellant generally opens and concludes merits argument; on a motion, the movant generally opens and concludes. Evidence excerpt: The appellant will generally open and conclude the argument. In argument on motions, the movant generally will open and conclude the argument. [Rule 34: Oral Argument](https://www.uscourts.cavc.gov/rule34.php) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ### physical exhibits Scope: courtwide Coordinate non-document physical exhibits with the clerk so they are in the courtroom before court convenes, and remove them after argument unless directed otherwise. Evidence excerpt: A party who wishes to use physical exhibits other than documents shall arrange with the Clerk to have them placed in the courtroom on the date of the argument before the Court convenes. [Rule 34: Oral Argument](https://www.uscourts.cavc.gov/rule34.php) Source checked: 2026-07-30 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/15387/scott-j-laurer/) - [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/15387/scott-j-laurer/) - [United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/15387/scott-j-laurer/) - [Rule 34: Oral Argument](https://www.uscourts.cavc.gov/rule34.php) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/15387/scott-j-laurer/) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/scott-j-laurer-15387", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/scott-j-laurer-15387", "name": "Scott J. Laurer | KnowJudges", "description": "Scott J. Laurer, United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. 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