United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit

{{short description|Current United States federal appellate court}} {{Use American English|date=February 2026}} {{Use mdy dates|date=December 2020}} {{Infobox U.S. federal court | court_type = circuit | court_name = United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit | abbreviation = 3d Cir. | seal = Seal of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.svg | seal_size = 150 | map_image_name = File:3rd Circuit map.svg | map_image_width = | map_image_caption = | courthouse = James A. Byrne U.S. Courthouse | location = Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | appeals_from = District of Delaware | appeals_from1 = District of New Jersey | appeals_from2 = Eastern District of Pennsylvania | appeals_from3 = Middle District of Pennsylvania | appeals_from4 = Western District of Pennsylvania | appeals_from5 = District of the Virgin Islands | established = June 16, 1891 | judges_assigned = 14 | circuit_justice = Samuel Alito | chief = Michael Chagares | official_site = {{URL|https://www.ca3.uscourts.gov}} }}

The '''United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit''' (in case citations, '''3d Cir.''') is a federal court with appellate jurisdiction over the district courts for the following districts: * District of Delaware * District of New Jersey * Eastern District of Pennsylvania * Middle District of Pennsylvania * Western District of Pennsylvania

This circuit also hears appeals from the District Court of the Virgin Islands, which is an Article IV territorial court and not a district court under Article III of the Constitution.

The court is composed of 14 active judges and is based at the James A. Byrne United States Courthouse in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The court also conducts sittings in other venues, including the United States Virgin Islands.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Notice for Sitting in Virgin Islands |url=http://www.ca3.uscourts.gov/Public%20Notices/Notice_April_2013.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130401083600/http://www.ca3.uscourts.gov/Public%20Notices/Notice_April_2013.pdf |archive-date=April 1, 2013 |access-date=March 6, 2013 |website=Official website of the Third Circuit}}</ref> It is one of 13 United States courts of appeals. Due to the court's appellate jurisdiction over Delaware, where more than half of publicly traded companies in the United States incorporate, the court handles a significant number of influential commercial cases in the United States.

== Current composition of the court == {{clear}} <onlyinclude> {{As of|2025|10|09|df=US}}:<ref>{{Cite web |title=U. S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit |url=http://www.fjc.gov/history/home.nsf/usca_03_frm?OpenFrameSet |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050525102811/http://www.fjc.gov/history/home.nsf/usca_03_frm?OpenFrameSet <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date=May 25, 2005 |access-date=May 30, 2005 |website=Official website of the Federal Judicial Center}}</ref><ref name="dutystation3rd">{{Cite web |title=Third Circuit Court of Appeals Judges |url=http://www.ca3.uscourts.gov/judgelist/coa-jdgs.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050510152333/http://www.ca3.uscourts.gov/judgelist/coa-jdgs.pdf |archive-date=May 10, 2005 |access-date=May 30, 2005 |website=Official website of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit }}</ref> {{start U.S. judgeship Current}} {{U.S. judgeship row Current | index = 61 | title = Chief Judge | name = {{sortname|Michael|Chagares}} | duty station = Newark, NJ | born = 1962 | term = 2006–present | chief term = 2021–present | senior term = — | appointer = {{sortname|G.W.|Bush|List of federal judges appointed by George W. Bush}} }} {{U.S. judgeship row Current | index = 63 | title = Circuit Judge | name = {{sortname|Thomas|Hardiman}} | duty station = Pittsburgh, PA | born = 1965 | term = 2007–present | chief term = — | senior term = — | appointer = {{sortname|G.W.|Bush|List of federal judges appointed by George W. Bush}} }} {{U.S. judgeship row Current | index = 66 | title = Circuit Judge | name = {{sortname|Patty|Shwartz}} | duty station = Newark, NJ | born = 1961 | term = 2013–present | chief term = — | senior term = — | appointer = {{sortname||Obama|List of federal judges appointed by Barack Obama}} }} {{U.S. judgeship row Current | index = 67 | title = Circuit Judge | name = {{sortname|Cheryl Ann|Krause}} | duty station = Philadelphia, PA | born = 1968 | term = 2014–present | chief term = — | senior term = — | appointer = {{sortname||Obama|List of federal judges appointed by Barack Obama}} }} {{U.S. judgeship row Current | index = 68 | title = Circuit Judge | name = {{sortname|L. Felipe|Restrepo}} | duty station = Philadelphia, PA | born = 1959 | term = 2016–present | chief term = — | senior term = — | appointer = {{sortname||Obama|List of federal judges appointed by Barack Obama}} }} {{U.S. judgeship row Current | index = 69 | title = Circuit Judge | name = {{sortname|Stephanos|Bibas}} | duty station = Philadelphia, PA | born = 1969 | term = 2017–present | chief term = — | senior term = — | appointer = {{sortname||Trump|List of federal judges appointed by Donald Trump}} }} {{U.S. judgeship row Current | index = 70 | title = Circuit Judge | name = {{sortname|David J.|Porter|dab=judge}} | duty station = Pittsburgh, PA | born = 1966 | term = 2018–present | chief term = — | senior term = — | appointer = {{sortname||Trump|List of federal judges appointed by Donald Trump}} }} {{U.S. judgeship row Current | index = 71 | title = Circuit Judge | name = {{sortname|Paul|Matey}} | duty station = Newark, NJ | born = 1971 | term = 2019–present | chief term = — | senior term = — | appointer = {{sortname||Trump|List of federal judges appointed by Donald Trump}} }} {{U.S. judgeship row Current | index = 72 | title = Circuit Judge | name = {{sortname|Peter J.|Phipps}} | duty station = Pittsburgh, PA | born = 1973 | term = 2019–present | chief term = — | senior term = — | appointer = {{sortname||Trump|List of federal judges appointed by Donald Trump}} }} {{U.S. judgeship row Current | index = 73 | title = Circuit Judge | name = {{sortname|Arianna J.|Freeman}} | duty station = Philadelphia, PA | born = 1978 | term = 2022–present | chief term = — | senior term = — | appointer = {{sortname||Biden|List of federal judges appointed by Joe Biden}} }} {{U.S. judgeship row Current | index = 74 | title = Circuit Judge | name = {{sortname|T.|Montgomery-Reeves|Tamika Montgomery-Reeves}} | duty station = Wilmington, DE | born = 1981 | term = 2023–present | chief term = — | senior term = — | appointer = {{sortname||Biden|List of federal judges appointed by Joe Biden}} }} {{U.S. judgeship row Current | index = 75 | title = Circuit Judge | name = {{sortname|Cindy K.|Chung}} | duty station = Pittsburgh, PA | born = 1975 | term = 2023–present | chief term = — | senior term = — | appointer = {{sortname||Biden|List of federal judges appointed by Joe Biden}} }} {{U.S. judgeship row Current | index = 76 | title = Circuit Judge | name = {{sortname|Emil|Bove}} | duty station = Newark, NJ | born = 1981 | term = 2025–present | chief term = — | senior term = — | appointer = {{sortname||Trump|List of federal judges appointed by Donald Trump}} }} {{U.S. judgeship row Current | index = 77 | title = Circuit Judge | name = {{sortname|Jennifer|Mascott}} | duty station = Wilmington, DE | born = 1976 | term = 2025–present | chief term = — | senior term = — | appointer = {{sortname||Trump|List of federal judges appointed by Donald Trump}} }} {{U.S. judgeship row Current | index = 45 | title = Senior Judge | name = {{sortname|Anthony Joseph|Scirica}} | duty station = Philadelphia, PA | born = 1940 | term = 1987–2013 | chief term = 2003–2010 | senior term = 2013–present | appointer = {{sortname||Reagan|List of federal judges appointed by Ronald Reagan}} }} {{U.S. judgeship row Current | index = 46 | title = Senior Judge | name = {{sortname|Robert|Cowen}} | duty station = ''inactive'' | born = 1930 | term = 1987–1998 | chief term = — | senior term = 1998–present | appointer = {{sortname||Reagan|List of federal judges appointed by Ronald Reagan}} }} {{U.S. judgeship row Current | index = 47 | title = Senior Judge | name = {{sortname|Richard Lowell|Nygaard}} | duty station = Erie, PA | born = 1940 | term = 1988–2005 | chief term = — | senior term = 2005–present | appointer = {{sortname||Reagan|List of federal judges appointed by Ronald Reagan}} }} {{U.S. judgeship row Current | index = 49 | title = Senior Judge | name = {{sortname|Jane Richards|Roth}} | duty station = Wilmington, DE | born = 1935 | term = 1991–2006 | chief term = — | senior term = 2006–present | appointer = {{sortname|G.H.W.|Bush|List of federal judges appointed by George H. W. Bush}} }} {{U.S. judgeship row Current| | index = 51 | title = Senior Judge | name = {{sortname|Theodore|McKee}} | duty station = Philadelphia, PA | born = 1947 | term = 1994–2022 | chief term = 2010–2016 | senior term = 2022–present | appointer = {{sortname||Clinton|List of federal judges appointed by Bill Clinton}} }} {{U.S. judgeship row Current| | index = 53 | title = Senior Judge | name = {{sortname|Marjorie|Rendell}} | duty station = Philadelphia, PA | born = 1947 | term = 1997–2015 | chief term = — | senior term = 2015–present | appointer = {{sortname||Clinton|List of federal judges appointed by Bill Clinton}} }} {{U.S. judgeship row Current | index = 55 | title = Senior Judge | name = {{sortname|Thomas L.|Ambro}} | duty station = Wilmington, DE | born = 1949 | term = 2000–2023 | chief term = — | senior term = 2023–present | appointer = {{sortname||Clinton|List of federal judges appointed by Bill Clinton}} }} {{U.S. judgeship row Current | index = 56 | title = Senior Judge | name = {{sortname|Julio M.|Fuentes}} | duty station = ''inactive'' | born = 1946 | term = 2000–2016 | chief term = — | senior term = 2016–present | appointer = {{sortname||Clinton|List of federal judges appointed by Bill Clinton}} }} {{U.S. judgeship row Current | index = 57 | title = Senior Judge | name = {{sortname|D. Brooks|Smith}} | duty station = Philadelphia, PA | born = 1951 | term = 2002–2021 | chief term = 2016–2021 | senior term = 2021–present | appointer = {{sortname|G.W.|Bush|List of federal judges appointed by George W. Bush}} }} {{U.S. judgeship row Current | index = 59 | title = Senior Judge | name = {{sortname|D. Michael|Fisher}} | duty station = Pittsburgh, PA | born = 1944 | term = 2003–2017 | chief term = — | senior term = 2017–present | appointer = {{sortname|G.W.|Bush|List of federal judges appointed by George W. Bush}} }} {{end U.S. judgeship Current}} </onlyinclude>

== List of former judges ==

{{start U.S. judgeship Former}} {{U.S. judgeship row Former | index = 1 | name = {{sortname|Marcus Wilson|Acheson}} | state = PA | borndied = 1828–1906 | term = 1891–1906<ref group="Note">Acheson was appointed as a circuit judge for the Third Circuit in 1891 by Benjamin Harrison. The Judiciary Act of 1891 reassigned his seat to what is now the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.</ref> | chief term = — | senior term = — | appointer = {{sortname||B. Harrison|List of federal judges appointed by Benjamin Harrison}} / Operation of law | termination = death }} {{U.S. judgeship row Former | index = 2 | name = {{sortname|George M.|Dallas|dab=judge}} | state = PA | borndied = 1839–1917 | term = 1892–1909 | chief term = — | senior term = — | appointer = {{sortname|B.|Harrison|List of federal judges appointed by Benjamin Harrison}} | termination = retirement }} {{U.S. judgeship row Former | index = 3 | name = {{sortname|George|Gray|dab=Delaware politician}} | state = DE | borndied = 1840–1925 | term = 1899–1914<ref name="recess">Recess appointment, confirmed by the United States Senate at a later date.</ref> | chief term = — | senior term = — | appointer = {{sortname||McKinley|List of federal judges appointed by William McKinley}} | termination = retirement }} {{U.S. judgeship row Former | index = 4 | name = {{sortname|Joseph|Buffington}} | state = PA | borndied = 1855–1947 | term = 1906–1938<ref name="recess" /> | chief term = — | senior term = 1938–1947 | appointer = {{sortname|T.|Roosevelt|List of federal judges appointed by Theodore Roosevelt}} | termination = death }} {{U.S. judgeship row Former | index = 5 | name = {{sortname|William M.|Lanning}} | state = NJ | borndied = 1849–1912 | term = 1909–1912 | chief term = — | senior term = — | appointer = {{sortname||Taft|List of federal judges appointed by William Howard Taft}} | termination = death }} {{U.S. judgeship row Former | index = 6 | name = {{sortname|Robert W.|Archbald}} | state = PA | borndied = 1848–1926 | term = 1911–1913 | chief term = — | senior term = — | appointer = <ref>Archbald did not have a permanent seat on this court. Instead, he was appointed to the ill-fated United States Commerce Court in 1910 by William Howard Taft. Aside from their duties on the Commerce Court, the judges of the Commerce Court also acted as at-large appellate judges, able to be assigned by the chief justice of the United States to whichever circuit most needed help. Archbald was assigned to the Third Circuit upon his commission.</ref> | termination = removal }} {{U.S. judgeship row Former | index = 7 | name = {{sortname|John Bayard|McPherson}} | state = PA | borndied = 1846–1919 | term = 1912–1919 | chief term = — | senior term = — | appointer = {{sortname||Taft|List of federal judges appointed by William Howard Taft}} | termination = death }} {{U.S. judgeship row Former | index = 8 | name = {{sortname|Victor Baynard|Woolley}} | state = DE | borndied = 1867–1945 | term = 1914–1938 | chief term = — | senior term = 1938–1945 | appointer = {{sortname||Wilson|List of federal judges appointed by Woodrow Wilson}} | termination = death }} {{U.S. judgeship row Former | index = 9 | name = {{sortname|Thomas Griffith|Haight}} | state = NJ | borndied = 1879–1942 | term = 1919–1920<ref name="recess" /> | chief term = — | senior term = — | appointer = {{sortname||Wilson|List of federal judges appointed by Woodrow Wilson}} | termination = resignation }} {{U.S. judgeship row Former | index = 10 | name = {{sortname|John Warren|Davis|dab=judge}} | state = NJ | borndied = 1867–1945 | term = 1920–1939 | chief term = — | senior term = 1939–1941 | appointer = {{sortname||Wilson|List of federal judges appointed by Woodrow Wilson}} | termination = resignation }} {{U.S. judgeship row Former | index = 11 | name = {{sortname|Joseph Whitaker|Thompson}} | state = PA | borndied = 1861–1946 | term = 1931–1938 | chief term = — | senior term = 1938–1946 | appointer = {{sortname||Hoover|List of federal judges appointed by Herbert Hoover}} | termination = death }} {{U.S. judgeship row Former | index = 12 | name = {{sortname|John|Biggs Jr.}} | state = DE | borndied = 1895–1979 | term = 1937–1965 | chief term = 1948–1965 | senior term = 1965–1979 | appointer = {{sortname|F.|Roosevelt|List of federal judges appointed by Franklin D. Roosevelt}} | termination = death }} {{U.S. judgeship row Former | index = 13 | name = {{sortname|Albert Branson|Maris}} | state = PA | borndied = 1893–1989 | term = 1938–1958 | chief term = — | senior term = 1958–1989 | appointer = {{sortname|F.|Roosevelt|List of federal judges appointed by Franklin D. Roosevelt}} | termination = death }} {{U.S. judgeship row Former | index = 14 | name = {{sortname|William|Clark|dab=judge}} | state = NJ | borndied = 1891–1957 | term = 1938–1943 | chief term = — | senior term = — | appointer = {{sortname|F.|Roosevelt|List of federal judges appointed by Franklin D. Roosevelt}} | termination = resignation }} {{U.S. judgeship row Former | index = 15 | name = {{sortname|Francis|Biddle}} | state = PA | borndied = 1886–1968 | term = 1939–1940 | chief term = — | senior term = — | appointer = {{sortname|F.|Roosevelt|List of federal judges appointed by Franklin D. Roosevelt}} | termination = resignation }} {{U.S. judgeship row Former | index = 16 | name = {{sortname|Charles Alvin|Jones}} | state = PA | borndied = 1887–1966 | term = 1939–1944 | chief term = — | senior term = — | appointer = {{sortname|F.|Roosevelt|List of federal judges appointed by Franklin D. Roosevelt}} | termination = resignation }} {{U.S. judgeship row Former | index = 17 | name = {{sortname|Herbert Funk|Goodrich}} | state = PA | borndied = 1889–1962 | term = 1940–1962 | chief term = — | senior term = — | appointer = {{sortname|F.|Roosevelt|List of federal judges appointed by Franklin D. Roosevelt}} | termination = death }} {{U.S. judgeship row Former | index = 18 | name = {{sortname|Gerald|McLaughlin}} | state = NJ | borndied = 1893–1977 | term = 1943–1968 | chief term = — | senior term = 1968–1977 | appointer = {{sortname|F.|Roosevelt|List of federal judges appointed by Franklin D. Roosevelt}} | termination = death }} {{U.S. judgeship row Former | index = 19 | name = {{sortname|John Joseph|O'Connell}} | state = PA | borndied = 1894–1949 | term = 1945–1949 | chief term = — | senior term = — | appointer = {{sortname||Truman|List of federal judges appointed by Harry S. Truman}} | termination = death }} {{U.S. judgeship row Former | index = 20 | name = {{sortname|Harry Ellis|Kalodner}} | state = PA | borndied = 1896–1977 | term = 1946–1969 | chief term = 1965–1966 | senior term = 1969–1977 | appointer = {{sortname||Truman|List of federal judges appointed by Harry S. Truman}} | termination = death }} {{U.S. judgeship row Former | index = 21 | name = {{sortname|William H.|Hastie}} | state = VI | borndied = 1904–1976 | term = 1949–1971<ref name="recess" /> | chief term = 1968–1971 | senior term = 1971–1976 | appointer = {{sortname||Truman|List of federal judges appointed by Harry S. Truman}} | termination = death }} {{U.S. judgeship row Former | index = 22 | name = {{sortname|Austin Leander|Staley}} | state = PA | borndied = 1902–1978 | term = 1950–1967 | chief term = 1966–1967 | senior term = 1967–1978 | appointer = {{sortname||Truman|List of federal judges appointed by Harry S. Truman}} | termination = death }} {{U.S. judgeship row Former | index = 23 | name = {{sortname|Phillip|Forman}} | state = NJ | borndied = 1895–1978 | term = 1959–1961 | chief term = — | senior term = 1961–1978 | appointer = {{sortname||Eisenhower|List of federal judges appointed by Dwight D. Eisenhower}} | termination = death }} {{U.S. judgeship row Former | index = 24 | name = {{sortname|James Cullen|Ganey}} | state = PA | borndied = 1899–1972 | term = 1961–1966 | chief term = — | senior term = 1966–1972 | appointer = {{sortname||Kennedy|List of federal judges appointed by John F. Kennedy}} | termination = death }} {{U.S. judgeship row Former | index = 25 | name = {{sortname|William Francis|Smith}} | state = NJ | borndied = 1903–1968 | term = 1961–1968 | chief term = — | senior term = — | appointer = {{sortname||Kennedy|List of federal judges appointed by John F. Kennedy}} | termination = death }} {{U.S. judgeship row Former | index = 26 | name = {{sortname|Abraham Lincoln|Freedman}} | state = PA | borndied = 1904–1971 | term = 1964–1971 | chief term = — | senior term = — | appointer = {{sortname|L.|Johnson|List of federal judges appointed by Lyndon B. Johnson}} | termination = death }} {{U.S. judgeship row Former | index = 27 | name = {{sortname|Collins J.|Seitz}} | state = DE | borndied = 1914–1998 | term = 1966–1989 | chief term = 1971–1984 | senior term = 1989–1998 | appointer = {{sortname|L.|Johnson|List of federal judges appointed by Lyndon B. Johnson}} | termination = death }} {{U.S. judgeship row Former | index = 28 | name = {{sortname|Francis Lund|Van Dusen}} | state = PA | borndied = 1912–1993 | term = 1967–1977 | chief term = — | senior term = 1977–1993 | appointer = {{sortname|L.|Johnson|List of federal judges appointed by Lyndon B. Johnson}} | termination = death }} {{U.S. judgeship row Former | index = 29 | name = {{sortname|Ruggero J.| Aldisert}} | state = PA | borndied = 1919–2014 | term = 1968–1986 | chief term = 1984–1986 | senior term = 1986–2014 | appointer = {{sortname|L.|Johnson|List of federal judges appointed by Lyndon B. Johnson}} | termination = death }} {{U.S. judgeship row Former | index = 30 | name = {{sortname|David Henry|Stahl}} | state = PA | borndied = 1920–1970 | term = 1968–1970 | chief term = — | senior term = — | appointer = {{sortname|L.|Johnson|List of federal judges appointed by Lyndon B. Johnson}} | termination = death }} {{U.S. judgeship row Former | index = 31 | name = {{sortname|Arlin M.|Adams}} | state = PA | borndied = 1921–2015 | term = 1969–1987 | chief term = — | senior term = — | appointer = {{sortname||Nixon|List of federal judges appointed by Richard Nixon}} | termination = retirement }} {{U.S. judgeship row Former | index = 32 | name = {{sortname|John Joseph|Gibbons}} | state = NJ | borndied = 1924–2018 | term = 1969–1990 | chief term = 1987–1990 | senior term = — | appointer = {{sortname||Nixon|List of federal judges appointed by Richard Nixon}} | termination = retirement }} {{U.S. judgeship row Former | index = 33 | name = {{sortname|Max|Rosenn}} | state = PA | borndied = 1910–2006 | term = 1970–1981 | chief term = — | senior term = 1981–2006 | appointer = {{sortname||Nixon|List of federal judges appointed by Richard Nixon}} | termination = death }} {{U.S. judgeship row Former | index = 34 | name = {{sortname|James|Rosen|James Rosen (jurist)}} | state = NJ | borndied = 1909–1972 | term = 1971–1972 | chief term = — | senior term = — | appointer = {{sortname||Nixon|List of federal judges appointed by Richard Nixon}} | termination = death }} {{U.S. judgeship row Former | index = 35 | name = {{sortname|James|Hunter III}} | state = NJ | borndied = 1916–1989 | term = 1971–1986 | chief term = — | senior term = 1986–1989 | appointer = {{sortname||Nixon|List of federal judges appointed by Richard Nixon}} | termination = death }} {{U.S. judgeship row Former | index = 36 | name = {{sortname|Joseph F.|Weis Jr.}} | state = PA | borndied = 1923–2014 | term = 1973–1988 | chief term = — | senior term = 1988–2014 | appointer = {{sortname||Nixon|List of federal judges appointed by Richard Nixon}} | termination = death }} {{U.S. judgeship row Former | index = 37 | name = Leonard I. Garth | state = NJ | borndied = 1921–2016 | term = 1973–1986 | chief term = — | senior term = 1986–2016 | appointer = {{sortname||Nixon|List of federal judges appointed by Richard Nixon}} | termination = death }}

{{U.S. judgeship row Former | index = 38 | name = {{sortname|A. Leon|Higginbotham Jr.}} | state = PA | borndied = 1928–1998 | term = 1977–1991 | chief term = 1990–1991 | senior term = 1991–1993 | appointer = {{sortname||Carter|List of federal judges appointed by Jimmy Carter}} | termination = retirement }} {{U.S. judgeship row Former | index = 39 | name = {{sortname|Dolores|Sloviter}} | state = PA | borndied = 1932–2022 | term = 1979–2013 | chief term = 1991–1998 | senior term = 2013–2022 | appointer = {{sortname||Carter|List of federal judges appointed by Jimmy Carter}} | termination = death }} {{U.S. judgeship row Former | index = 40 | name = {{sortname|Edward R.|Becker}} | state = PA | borndied = 1933–2006 | term = 1981–2003 | chief term = 1998–2003 | senior term = 2003–2006 | appointer = {{sortname||Reagan|List of federal judges appointed by Ronald Reagan}} | termination = death }} {{U.S. judgeship row Former | index = 41 | name = {{sortname|Carol Los|Mansmann}} | state = PA | borndied = 1942–2002 | term = 1985–2002 | chief term = — | senior term = — | appointer = {{sortname||Reagan|List of federal judges appointed by Ronald Reagan}} | termination = death }} {{U.S. judgeship row Former | index = 42 | name = {{Sortname|Walter King|Stapleton}} | state = DE | borndied = 1934–2024 | term = 1985–1999 | chief term = — | senior term = 1999–2024 | appointer = {{sortname||Reagan|List of federal judges appointed by Ronald Reagan}} | termination = death }} {{U.S. judgeship row Former | index = 43 | name = {{Sortname|Morton Ira|Greenberg}} | state = NJ | borndied = 1933–2021 | term = 1987–2000 | chief term = — | senior term = 2000–2021 | appointer = {{sortname||Reagan|List of federal judges appointed by Ronald Reagan}} | termination = death }} {{U.S. judgeship row Former | index = 44 | name = {{sortname|William D.|Hutchinson}} | state = PA | borndied = 1932–1995 | term = 1987–1995 | chief term = — | senior term = — | appointer = {{sortname||Reagan|List of federal judges appointed by Ronald Reagan}} | termination = death }} {{U.S. judgeship row Former | index = 48 | name = {{sortname|Samuel|Alito}} | state = NJ | borndied = 1950–present | term = 1990–2006 | chief term = — | senior term = — | appointer = {{sortname|G.H.W.|Bush|List of federal judges appointed by George H. W. Bush}} | termination = elevation }} {{U.S. judgeship row Former | index = 50 | name = {{sortname|Timothy K.|Lewis}} | state = PA | borndied = 1954–present | term = 1992–1999 | chief term = — | senior term = — | appointer = {{sortname|G.H.W.|Bush|List of federal judges appointed by George H. W. Bush}} | termination = resignation }} {{U.S. judgeship row Former | index = 52 | name = {{sortname|H. Lee|Sarokin}} | state = NJ | borndied = 1928–2023 | term = 1994–1996 | chief term = — | senior term = — | appointer = {{sortname||Clinton|List of federal judges appointed by Bill Clinton}} | termination = retirement }} {{U.S. judgeship row Former | index = 54 | name = {{sortname|Maryanne Trump|Barry}} | state = NJ | borndied = 1937–2023 | term = 1999–2011 | chief term = — | senior term = 2011–2019 | appointer = {{sortname||Clinton|List of federal judges appointed by Bill Clinton}} | termination = retirement }} {{U.S. judgeship row Former | index = 58 | name = {{sortname|Michael|Chertoff}} | state = NJ | borndied = 1953–present | term = 2003–2005 | chief term = — | senior term = — | appointer = {{sortname|G.W.|Bush|List of federal judges appointed by George W. Bush}} | termination = resignation }} {{U.S. judgeship row Former | index = 60 | name = {{sortname|Franklin|Van Antwerpen}} | state = PA | borndied = 1941–2016 | term = 2004–2006 | chief term = — | senior term = 2006–2016 | appointer = {{sortname|G.W.|Bush|List of federal judges appointed by George W. Bush}} | termination = death }} {{U.S. judgeship row Former | index = 62 | name = {{sortname|Kent A.|Jordan}} | state = DE | borndied = 1957–present | term = 2006–2025 | chief term = — | senior term = — | appointer = {{sortname|G.W.|Bush|List of federal judges appointed by George W. Bush}} | termination = retirement }} {{U.S. judgeship row Former | index = 64 | name = {{sortname|Joseph A.|Greenaway Jr.}} | state = NJ | borndied = 1957–present | term = 2010–2023 | chief term = — | senior term = — | appointer = {{sortname||Obama|List of federal judges appointed by Barack Obama|Obama}} | termination = retirement }} {{U.S. judgeship row Former | index = 65 | name = {{sortname|Thomas I.|Vanaskie}} | state = PA | borndied = 1953–present | term = 2010–2018 | chief term = — | senior term = 2018–2019 | appointer = {{sortname||Obama|List of federal judges appointed by Barack Obama|Obama}} | termination = retirement }} {{end U.S. judgeship Former}}

{{Reflist|group="Note"}}

== Chief judges == {{start U.S. judge succession | float = right | seat title = Chief Judge }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = Biggs Jr. | term = 1948–1965 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = Kalodner | term = 1965–1966 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = Staley | term = 1966–1967 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = Hastie | term = 1968–1971 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = Seitz | term = 1971–1984 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = Aldisert | term = 1984–1986 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = Gibbons | term = 1987–1990 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = Higginbotham | term = 1990–1991 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = Sloviter | term = 1991–1998 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = Becker | term = 1998–2003 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = Scirica | term = 2003–2010 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = McKee | term = 2010–2016 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = D. Smith | term = 2016–2021 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = '''Chagares''' | term = 2021–present }} {{end U.S. judge succession}}

{{ChiefJudge}}

== Succession of seats == {{seatTableIntro|fourteen}}

{{col-begin}} {{col-break}} {{start U.S. judge succession | seat title = Seat 1 }} {{U.S. judge succession note | text = Established on December 10, 1869 by the Judiciary Act of 1869 as a circuit judgeship for the Third Circuit }} {{U.S. judge succession note | text = Reassigned on June 16, 1891 to the newly formed United States Circuit Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit by the Judiciary Act of 1891 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = Acheson | state = PA | term = 1892–1906 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = Buffington | state = PA | term = 1906–1938 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = Biddle | state = PA | term = 1939–1940 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = Goodrich | state = PA | term = 1940–1962 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = Freedman | state = PA | term = 1964–1971 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = Weis, Jr. | state = PA | term = 1973–1988 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = Nygaard | state = PA | term = 1988–2005 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = '''Hardiman''' | state = PA | term = 2007–present }} {{end U.S. judge succession}} {{col-break}} {{start U.S. judge succession | seat title = Seat 2 }} {{U.S. judge succession note | text = Established on June 16, 1891 by the Judiciary Act of 1891 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = Dallas | state = PA | term = 1892–1909 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = Lanning | state = NJ | term = 1909–1912 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = McPherson | state = PA | term = 1912–1919 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = Haight | state = NJ | term = 1919–1920 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = Davis | state = NJ | term = 1920–1939 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = Jones | state = PA | term = 1939–1944 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = Kalodner | state = PA | term = 1946–1969 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = Adams | state = PA | term = 1969–1987 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = Hutchinson | state = PA | term = 1987–1995 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = Rendell | state = PA | term = 1997–2015 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = '''Bibas''' | state = PA | term = 2017–present }} {{end U.S. judge succession}} {{col-break}} {{start U.S. judge succession | seat title = Seat 3 }} {{U.S. judge succession note | text = Established on February 23, 1899 by 30&nbsp;Stat.&nbsp;846 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = Gray | state = DE | term = 1899–1914 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = Woolley | state = DE | term = 1914–1938 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = Maris | state = PA | term = 1938–1958 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = Forman | state = NJ | term = 1959–1961 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = W. Smith | state = NJ | term = 1961–1968 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = Hunter III | state = NJ | term = 1971–1986 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = Cowen | state = NJ | term = 1987–1998 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = Fuentes | state = NJ | term = 2000–2016 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = '''Matey''' | state = NJ | term = 2019–present }} {{end U.S. judge succession}} {{col-break}} {{start U.S. judge succession | seat title = Seat 4 }} {{U.S. judge succession note | text = Established on June 10, 1930 by 46&nbsp;Stat.&nbsp;538 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = Thompson | state = PA | term = 1931–1938 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = Clark | state = NJ | term = 1938–1943 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = McLaughlin | state = NJ | term = 1943–1968 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = Gibbons | state = NJ | term = 1969–1990 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = Alito | state = NJ | term = 1990–2006 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = Greenaway, Jr. | state = NJ | term = 2010–2023 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = '''Bove III''' | state = NJ | term = 2025–present }} {{end U.S. judge succession}} {{col-end}} {{col-begin}} {{col-break}} {{start U.S. judge succession | seat title = Seat 5 }} {{U.S. judge succession note | text = Established as a temporary judgeship on June 24, 1936 by 49&nbsp;Stat.&nbsp;1903 }} {{U.S. judge succession note | text = Made permanent on May 31, 1938, by 52&nbsp;Stat.&nbsp;584 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = Biggs, Jr. | state = DE | term = 1937–1965 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = Seitz | state = DE | term = 1966–1989 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = Roth | state = DE | term = 1991–2006 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = Jordan | state = DE | term = 2006–2025 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = '''Mascott''' | state = DE | term = 2025–present }} {{end U.S. judge succession}} {{col-break}} {{start U.S. judge succession | seat title = Seat 6 }} {{U.S. judge succession note | text = Established on December 7, 1944, by 58&nbsp;Stat.&nbsp;796 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = O'Connell | state = PA | term = 1945–1949 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = Staley | state = PA | term = 1950–1967 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = Aldisert | state = PA | term = 1968–1986 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = Scirica | state = PA | term = 1987–2013 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = '''Restrepo''' | state = PA | term = 2016–present }} {{end U.S. judge succession}} {{col-break}} {{start U.S. judge succession | seat title = Seat 7 }} {{U.S. judge succession note | text = Established on August 3, 1949 by 63&nbsp;Stat.&nbsp;493 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = Hastie | state = VI | term = 1950–1971 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = Rosen | state = NJ | term = 1971–1972 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = Garth | state = NJ | term = 1973–1986 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = Greenberg | state = NJ | term = 1987–2000 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = Chertoff | state = NJ | term = 2003–2005 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = '''Chagares''' | state = NJ | term = 2006–present }} {{end U.S. judge succession}} {{col-break}} {{start U.S. judge succession | seat title = Seat 8 }} {{U.S. judge succession note | text = Established on May 19, 1961 by 75&nbsp;Stat.&nbsp;80 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = Ganey | state = PA | term = 1961–1966 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = Van Dusen | state = PA | term = 1967–1977 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = Higginbotham, Jr. | state = PA | term = 1977–1991 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = McKee | state = PA | term = 1994–2022 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = '''Freeman''' | state = PA | term = 2022–present }} {{end U.S. judge succession}} {{col-end}} {{col-begin}} {{col-break}} {{start U.S. judge succession | seat title = Seat 9 }} {{U.S. judge succession note | text = Established on June 18, 1968 by 82&nbsp;Stat.&nbsp;184 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = Stahl | state = PA | term = 1968–1970 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = Rosenn | state = PA | term = 1970–1981 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = Becker | state = PA | term = 1981–2003 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = Van Antwerpen | state = PA | term = 2004–2006 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = Vanaskie | state = PA | term = 2010–2018 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = '''Phipps''' | state = PA | term = 2019–present }} {{end U.S. judge succession}} {{col-break}} {{start U.S. judge succession | seat title = Seat 10 }} {{U.S. judge succession note | text = Established on October 20, 1978 by 92&nbsp;Stat.&nbsp;1629 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = Sloviter | state = PA | term = 1979–2013 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = '''Krause''' | state = PA | term = 2014–present }} {{end U.S. judge succession}} {{col-break}} {{start U.S. judge succession | seat title = Seat 11 }} {{U.S. judge succession note | text = Established on July 10, 1984 by 98&nbsp;Stat.&nbsp;333 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = Mansmann | state = PA | term = 1985–2002 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = Fisher | state = PA | term = 2003–2017 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = '''Porter''' | state = PA | term = 2018–present }} {{end U.S. judge succession}} {{col-end}} {{col-begin}} {{col-break}} {{start U.S. judge succession | seat title = Seat 12 }} {{U.S. judge succession note | text = Established on July 10, 1984 by 98&nbsp;Stat.&nbsp;333 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = Stapleton | state = DE | term = 1985–1999 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = Ambro | state = DE | term = 2000–2023 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = '''Montgomery-Reeves''' | state = DE | term = 2023–present }} {{end U.S. judge succession}} {{col-break}} {{start U.S. judge succession | seat title = Seat 13 }} {{U.S. judge succession note | text = Established on December 1, 1990 by 104&nbsp;Stat.&nbsp;5089 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = Lewis | state = PA | term = 1992–1999 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = D. Smith | state = PA | term = 2002–2021 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = '''Chung''' | state = PA | term = 2023–present }} {{end U.S. judge succession}} {{col-break}} {{start U.S. judge succession | seat title = Seat 14 }} {{U.S. judge succession note | text = Established on December 1, 1990 by 104&nbsp;Stat.&nbsp;5089 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = Sarokin | state = NJ | term = 1994–1996 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = Barry | state = NJ | term = 1999–2011 }} {{U.S. judge succession row | name = '''Shwartz''' | state = NJ | term = 2013–present }} {{end U.S. judge succession}} {{col-end}}

== See also == * Judicial appointment history for United States federal courts#Third Circuit * List of current United States circuit judges

== References == {{reflist}}

== External links == * {{official|https://www.ca3.uscourts.gov/}} * [http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/getcase.pl?court=3rd&navby=year&year=recent Recent opinions from Findlaw]

{{United States courts of appeals judges}} {{United States 3rd Circuit district judges}} {{United States Courts of Appeals}} {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit}} Category:United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit Category:Buildings and structures in Newark, New Jersey Category:1891 establishments in the United States Category:Courts and tribunals established in 1891