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title: "Thomas C Wheeler | KnowJudges"
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# Thomas C Wheeler

United States Court of Federal Claims · U.S. Court of Federal Claims Judge

## Profile

- Court: United States Court of Federal Claims
- State: National federal courts
- Role: U.S. Court of Federal Claims 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 Federal Claims, 2005-present
- Service: Judge of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims until October 23, 2020, when he retired
- Thomas Craig Wheeler was a federal judge on the United States Court of Federal Claims, serving from 2005 until his retirement in 2020
- Associate and partner at Pettit & Martin (1973–1995) and later a partner at Piper & Marbury (now DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary)

### Education

- Georgetown University Law School in — J.D. (1973)
- Georgetown University Law Center in — J.D. (1973)
- Gettysburg College — B.A. (1970)

### Additional information

- He authored four published opinions in 2020, such as Superior Optical Labs, Inc. v.
- Joined the court in 2005 after being nominated by President George W. Bush (R).
- Appointed: June 14, 2005, by President George W. Bush to replace Diane Gilbert Sypolt.
- Confirmed: October 21, 2005, by the U.S. Senate; commission issued October 24, 2005.
- From 1973 to 2005, Wheeler practiced law in Washington, D.C., specializing in government contract claims, litigation, and counseling.
- Born March 18, 1948.
- Wheeler handled 449 cases in his career, primarily in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims.
- United States and Pacific Wind LLC v.
- District of Columbia Bar
- American Bar Association’s Public Contracts and Litigation Sections.
- His work included appearances before the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, the Federal Circuit, U.S. District Courts, and the Government Accountability Office.
- His caseload included disputes over government contracts, services, and claims against the United States.
- Wheeler is married, has two grown children, and was active in his church and community.
- He has interests in skiing, photography, writing, softball, and hiking.

## 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

### motion form

Scope: courtwide

Request a court order by motion. The motion must be written unless made during a hearing or trial, state the grounds with particularity, and state the relief sought.

Evidence excerpt: The motion must: (A) be in writing unless made during a hearing or trial; (B) state with particularity the grounds for seeking the order; and (C) state the relief sought.

[Rules of the United States Court of Federal Claims](https://www.uscfc.uscourts.gov/sites/cfc/files/Rules%207.27.2026.pdf)
Source checked: 2026-07-30

### supporting materials

Scope: courtwide

A motion, objection, or response may be accompanied by a brief or memorandum and, when needed, supporting affidavits.

Evidence excerpt: Any motion, objection, or response may be accompanied by a brief or memorandum and, if necessary, affidavits supporting the motion.

[Rules of the United States Court of Federal Claims](https://www.uscfc.uscourts.gov/sites/cfc/files/Rules%207.27.2026.pdf)
Source checked: 2026-07-30

### meet and confer

Scope: courtwide

Before filing a nondispositive motion, make a reasonable good-faith effort to discuss it with opposing counsel, determine whether it is opposed, narrow disagreements, and include the required certification.

Evidence excerpt: The motion must: (1) include a certification that the movant has in good faith conferred or attempted to confer with opposing counsel.

[Rules of the United States Court of Federal Claims](https://www.uscfc.uscourts.gov/sites/cfc/files/Rules%207.27.2026.pdf)
Source checked: 2026-07-30

### trial testimony

Scope: courtwide

Trial testimony is taken in open court unless an identified rule or statute provides otherwise. Remote contemporaneous testimony requires good cause, compelling circumstances, and appropriate safeguards.

Evidence excerpt: For good cause in compelling circumstances and with appropriate safeguards, the court may permit testimony in open court by contemporaneous transmission from a different location.

[Rules of the United States Court of Federal Claims](https://www.uscfc.uscourts.gov/sites/cfc/files/Rules%207.27.2026.pdf)
Source checked: 2026-07-30


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/10217/thomas-c-wheeler/)
- [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/10217/thomas-c-wheeler/)
- [United States Court of Federal Claims current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/10217/thomas-c-wheeler/)
- [Rules of the United States Court of Federal Claims](https://www.uscfc.uscourts.gov/sites/cfc/files/Rules%207.27.2026.pdf)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/10217/thomas-c-wheeler/)
- [Thomas C. Wheeler - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Thomas_C._Wheeler)

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