S. Jay Plager

Who is S. Jay Plager?

Sheldon Jay Plager is a Judge for the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

He received his Bachelors degree from the University of North Carolina in 1952, and his Juris Doctorate from the University of Florida College of Law in 1958, followed by an LL.M. from Columbia Law School in 1961. He was in the United States Navy from 1948 to 1970, earning the rank of Commander before he was discharged.

He taught as a law professor at the University of Florida from 1958–63, then at the University of Illinois College of Law until 1977, and was then a dean and professor at the Indiana University Maurer School of Law until 1984. He also taught as a visiting professor at the University of Wisconsin Law School, and he was a visiting scholar at Stanford Law School.

From 1986-87, he was counselor to the undersecretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, followed by three years holding various positions in the Office of Management and Budget.

He was nominated by President George H.W. Bush on September 12, 1989, to a seat vacated by Shiro Kashiwa, and he was confirmed by the United States Senate on November 8, 1989. He received his commission on November 11, 1989. Plager assumed senior status on November 30, 2000, and continues to sit as a Senior Circuit Judge. In addition to his teaching and judicial activities, he has authored numerous articles and books.