David William McKeague at a glance
- Current role
- U.S. Circuit Judge
- Court
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
- Jurisdiction
- National federal courts · Federal
- Judicial service
- Senior
David William McKeague
U.S. Circuit Judge · U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
Available research
Biography
Professional career
- U.S. Army Reserve service (1969–1975).
- Private practice in Lansing, Michigan (1971–1992).
- Adjunct professor at Michigan State University College of Law (1998–2013).
- Professional Career: Private practice, Lansing, Michigan, 1971-1992
- Adjunct professor, Michigan State University College of Law, 1998-2013
- Private practice, Lansing, MI, 1971-1992
- U.S. Army Reserve, 1969-1975
Judicial service
- Judge, District Court, W.D. Michigan, 1992-2005
- Judge, Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, 2005-present
- Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit Nominated by President George W. Bush on February 14, 2005, to a seat vacated by Richard Fred Suhrheinrich. Confirmed by the Senate on June 9, 2005, and commissioned June 10, 2005. Assumed senior status on November 1, 2017.
- McKeague’s opinions have addressed a range of federal issues, including immigration, environmental law, and administrative law. For example, in Mu Ju Li v. Mukasey (2008), the Sixth Circuit dismissed a petition for lack of jurisdiction after the Board of Immigration Appeals issued a new decision that superseded an earlier one. His judicial philosophy is often described as consistent in applying statutory text, showing deference to government authority, and resolving many cases on summary judgment or administrative record review.
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan Nominated by President George H. W. Bush on September 11, 1991, to a seat vacated by Douglas Woodruff Hillman. Confirmed by the Senate on February 6, 1992, and commissioned February 10, 1992. Served until June 13, 2005, when elevated to the Court of Appeals.
- David William McKeague is a veteran federal judge with over three decades of service, beginning in the district court, moving to the appellate court, and now serving in senior status. His career reflects a blend of legal scholarship, judicial service, and a focus on statutory interpretation and procedural resolution.
Education
- Ross School of Business
- University of Michigan · B.A., 1968
- University of Michigan Law School · J.D., 1971
Personal record
Born 1946 · Pittsburgh, PA
Courtroom rules and guidance
Appellate Oral Argument
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.
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 unnecessaryFederal Rule of Appellate Procedure 34, Oral Argument ↗
Sources
Federal Judicial Center biography
Identity source · HTML · checked July 25, 2026
https://www.fjc.gov/node/1384726CourtListener judicial biographical directory
Identity source · HTML · checked August 2, 2026
https://www.courtlistener.com/person/2150/david-william-mckeague/Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 34, Oral Argument
Judge research source · HTML · checked July 26, 2026
https://www.uscourts.gov/forms-rules/current-rules-practice-procedure/federal-rules-appellate-procedure