United States Court of Appeals For The Third Circuit - Chief Judges

Chief Judges

Chief Judge
Biggs 1948–1965
Kalodner 1965–1966
Hastie 1968–1971
Staley 1966–1967
Seitz 1971–1984
Aldisert 1984–1986
Gibbons 1987–1990
Higginbotham 1990–1991
Sloviter 1991–1998
Becker 1998–2003
Scirica 2003–2010
McKee 2010–present

Chief judges have administrative responsibilities with respect to their circuits, and preside over any panel on which they serve unless the circuit justice (i.e., the Supreme Court justice responsible for the circuit) is also on the panel. Unlike the Supreme Court, where one justice is specifically nominated to be chief, the office of chief judge rotates among the circuit judges. To be chief, a judge must have been in active service on the court for at least one year, be under the age of 65, and have not previously served as chief judge. A vacancy is filled by the judge highest in seniority among the group of qualified judges. The chief judge serves for a term of seven years or until age 70, whichever occurs first. The age restrictions are waived if no members of the court would otherwise be qualified for the position.

When the office was created in 1948, the chief judge was the longest-serving judge who had not elected to retire on what has since 1958 been known as senior status or declined to serve as chief judge. After August 6, 1959, judges could not become chief after turning 70 years old. The current rules have been in operation since October 1, 1982.

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