--- title: "Todd Michael Hughes | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/todd-michael-hughes" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Todd Michael Hughes 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: active - 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, 2013-present - On February 7, 2013, President Barack Obama nominated Hughes to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, filling the seat vacated by Judge William Curtis Bryson - Joined the Commercial Litigation Branch of the Civil Division at the U.S. Department of Justice in 1994 as a trial attorney - Law clerk, Hon. Robert Krupansky, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, 1992-1994 - Hughes clerked for Judge Robert B. Krupansky of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit early in his legal career ### Education - Bachelor of Arts from Harvard College in 1989 and completed a joint Juris Doctor and Master of Arts in English at Duke University in 1992. - Duke University School of Law ### Additional information - received his commission the same day, officially assuming office on September 30, 2013. - He was confirmed by the Senate on September 24, 2013, by a 98–0 vote - He advanced to Assistant Director for Commercial Litigation in 1999 and became Deputy Director in 2007, serving until 2013. - trial attorney, 1994-1999 - Todd Michael Hughes was born on November 1, 1966, in Delaware, Ohio. - Date of birth: 1966-01-01 - The Federal Circuit specializes in cases involving patents, trademarks, international trade, government contracts, and veterans’ benefits. - Colleagues have described him as highly intelligent, pragmatic, and well-prepared for the complex issues handled by the Federal Circuit. - Todd M. Hughes combines extensive legal experience with a historic role in advancing diversity on the federal bench. - Multiple commendations from the DOJ and the Department of Veterans Affairs and has taught at Cleveland-Marshall College of Law and Duke University’s writing program. - During his tenure at the DOJ, he handled federal personnel law, veterans’ benefits, international trade, government contracts, and jurisdictional issues before the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. - He also gained extensive experience appearing before the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and the U.S. Court of International Trade. - His confirmation represented a broader effort by the Obama administration to diversify the federal bench, including the appointment of other judges and ambassadors. - His career spans significant service at the Department of Justice and a landmark appointment to the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, where he continues to adjudicate specialized and high-profile federal cases. - Birth place: Delaware, OH ## 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/1394276) - [Official roster](https://www.fjc.gov/node/1394276) - [Federal Judicial Center biography](https://www.fjc.gov/node/1394276) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/1553/todd-michael-hughes/) - [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/1553/todd-michael-hughes/) - [Wikidata: Todd M. Hughes](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7812514) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/todd-michael-hughes", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/todd-michael-hughes", "name": "Todd Michael Hughes | KnowJudges", "description": "Todd Michael Hughes, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. 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