S. Jay Plager at a glance
- Current role
- Judge
- Court
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
- Jurisdiction
- National federal courts · Federal
- Judicial service
- November 11, 1989–present
S. Jay Plager
Judge · U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
Available research
Biography
Professional career
- Professional Career: Visiting fellow, Cambridge University and Rockefeller Foundation Research Center, 1980
- Administrator, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, U.S. Office of Management and Budget, 1988-1989
- Associate director, U.S. Office of Management and Budget, 1987-1988
- Counselor to the undersecretary of health and human services, 1986-1987
- Visiting scholar, Stanford Law School, 1984-1985
- Visiting fellow, Cambridge University and Rockefeller Foundation Research Center, 1980-present
- Dean and professor, Indiana University School of Law, 1977-1984
- Visiting professor, University of Wisconsin Law School, 1967-1968
- Law professor, University of Illinois, 1963-1977
- Law professor, University of Florida, 1958-1963
- U.S. Navy, 1948-1970
Judicial service
- Judge, Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, 1989-2000
- Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
Education
- University of North Carolina · A.B., 1952
- University of Florida College of Law (now Fredric G. Levin College of Law) · J.D., 1958
- Columbia Law School · LL.M., 1961
- University of Florida
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Personal record
Born 1931 · Long Branch, NJ
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 ↗
Argument Check In
Arguing counsel must check in with the courtroom deputy at least 30 minutes before the day's session starts.
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 ↗
Same Day Changes
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.
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 ↗
Sources
Federal Judicial Center biography
Identity source · HTML · checked July 25, 2026
https://www.fjc.gov/node/1386371CourtListener judicial biographical directory
Identity source · HTML · checked August 2, 2026
https://www.courtlistener.com/person/2576/sheldon-jay-plager/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-procedureFederal Circuit: Attending Oral Arguments
Judge research source · HTML · checked July 30, 2026
https://www.cafc.uscourts.gov/home/oral-argument/attending-oral-arguments/