Notices & Announcements

The Honorable Raymond C. Clevenger III Retires from the Federal Circuit

Circuit Judge Raymond C. Clevenger III retired from judicial service on October 2, 2026, concluding more than 36 years on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. President George H. W. Bush appointed Judge Clevenger to the Federal Circuit, and he began his service on April 30, 1990, following confirmation by the United States Senate. He served in active status for nearly 16 years before assuming senior status on February 1, 2006, and he remained in service as a senior judge for more than 20 years thereafter. Over his tenure, Judge Clevenger sat on approximately 800 panel sittings and authored more than 1,200 opinions for the Court.

“For more than three decades, Judge Clevenger brought careful judgment and thoughtful writing to the work of this Court,” said Chief Judge Kimberly A. Moore. “By continuing to hear appeals as a senior judge for more than 20 years, he gave the Court the benefit of his experience long after he had earned the right to step back. We will miss him on the bench and at the courthouse.”

Before joining the Court, Judge Clevenger served as a law clerk to Justice Byron R. White of the Supreme Court of the United States during the October 1966 Term. He joined Wilmer, Cutler & Pickering in 1967 and was a partner in the firm from 1974 until his appointment to the bench. His full biography is available on the Federal Judicial Center’s website.

The Court thanks Judge Clevenger for his decades of service and extends its best wishes to him in retirement.

Chicago Law Schools Become Federal Courtrooms for Citywide October Session

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit will hold oral arguments at six Chicago law schools and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit courthouse from October 5 through October 8. Eight three-judge panels will hear 32 pending appeals drawn from the court’s nationwide docket. The full press release is available here (pdf).

Notice of Proposed Amendments to the Federal Circuit Rules of Practice

Pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 2071(b) and Federal Circuit Rule 47(a), the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit gives notice that it proposes to amend Federal Circuit Rules of Practice 32 and the Practice Note to Rule 32.  The proposed amendments are available on the court’s website.  If adopted, the amendments would take effect on December 1, 2026.

Public comments must be received by the Clerk of Court on or before August 17, 2026, and may be submitted by email or by mail to Proposed Rules Comments 2026, Clerk’s Office, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, 717 Madison Place, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20439.

The full notice is available on the court’s website (pdf). 

Federal Circuit Schedules October 2026 Session for Chicago

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit is pleased to announce that it intends to sit in Chicago, Illinois as part of its October 2026 session. The Federal Circuit will also concurrently hold its regular session in Washington, D.C. Counsel scheduled for the October 2026 session in either location will be notified by the Clerk’s Office later this year. The full notice is available here (pdf).

Final 500 Tickets Released Today at 11:30 a.m. ET!

The last wave of free timed-entry tickets for the Federal Circuit Center for Innovation & Law’s America250 event, “Justice Up Close, History All Around,“ will be released today, Monday, June 29, at 11:30 a.m. ET.

Spend the day exploring the Howard T. Markey National Courts Building Complex—just steps from the White House. Tour Dolley Madison’s restored parlor, see a real moon rock, put on a judicial robe for a mock trial, and meet federal judges.

These are the final tickets for this one-day event on Friday, July 3.

Reserve your tickets here.

Notice of Modification to the Internal Operating Procedures

Pursuant to Federal Circuit Rule 47(c), the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has modified Internal Operating Procedure #2(6)(b), effective immediately.  The updated version of the Internal Operating Procedures is available on the court’s website.  

August 2026 Court Week

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit will not be sitting for arguments in August 2026.  An updated session calendar is available on the website.

Judge William C. Bryson Receives the 2026 American Inns of Court Professionalism Award for the Federal Circuit

Circuit Judge William C. Bryson (left) receives the 2026 American Inns of Court Professionalism Award for the Federal Circuit from Joseph B. Berger III, Lieutenant General, USA (Ret.), Executive Director of the American Inns of Court, during the 2026 Federal Circuit Judicial Conference on May 15, 2026, in Washington, D.C. (Photo credit: Doug Stroud)

The United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit is pleased to announce that Circuit Judge William C. Bryson has been selected to receive the 2026 American Inns of Court Professionalism Award for the Federal Circuit. The award is presented annually to a lawyer or judge whose career reflects sterling character, unquestioned integrity, and sustained dedication to the highest standards of the legal profession and the rule of law.

Judge Bryson was nominated by Circuit Judge Alan D. Lourie, with supporting letters from Chief Judge Kimberly A. Moore, Circuit Judge Raymond C. Clevenger III, and Circuit Judge Richard Linn. Nominated by President Bill Clinton and confirmed by the Senate in 1994, Judge Bryson brought to the Federal Circuit a distinguished record of public service at the Department of Justice spanning fifteen years, including service as Deputy Solicitor General and Acting Associate Attorney General. Since assuming senior status in 2013, he has continued to carry an appellate caseload while also sitting by designation on district courts in Texas and Delaware.

The award was presented by Joseph B. Berger III, Lieutenant General, USA (Ret.), Executive Director of the American Inns of Court, on Friday, May 15, 2026, during the 2026 Federal Circuit Judicial Conference in Washington, D.C. Judge Bryson will also be recognized at the American Inns of Court annual Celebration of Excellence at the Supreme Court of the United States.