This morning the Federal Circuit announced Raymond C. Clevenger III’s retirement from the Federal Circuit. As today’s announcement notes, Judge Clevenger served on the bench of the Federal Circuit for over 36 years, sitting on approximately 800 panels and authoring more than 1,200 opinions for the Court. White quite less important, personally I will never forget helping him carry a freshly-cut Christmas tree from his car in the basement of the courthouse to his chambers (somehow fitting the tree in the elevator), our lively debate about whether Kansas is a Plain State or part of the Midwest, and his uncanny ability to elicit admissions at oral argument. But, most of all and most importantly, I will remember his kindness and graciousness. On behalf of all the law clerks who ever interacted with him, as well as all the lawyers who ever pleaded a case he handled, we wish him great happiness in his retirement. Here is the full text of the court’s announcement.
Circuit Judge Raymond C. Clevenger III retired from judicial service on October 2, 2026, concluding more than 36 years on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. President George H. W. Bush appointed Judge Clevenger to the Federal Circuit, and he began his service on April 30, 1990, following confirmation by the United States Senate. He served in active status for nearly 16 years before assuming senior status on February 1, 2006, and he remained in service as a senior judge for more than 20 years thereafter. Over his tenure, Judge Clevenger sat on approximately 800 panel sittings and authored more than 1,200 opinions for the Court.
“For more than three decades, Judge Clevenger brought careful judgment and thoughtful writing to the work of this Court,” said Chief Judge Kimberly A. Moore. “By continuing to hear appeals as a senior judge for more than 20 years, he gave the Court the benefit of his experience long after he had earned the right to step back. We will miss him on the bench and at the courthouse.”
Before joining the Court, Judge Clevenger served as a law clerk to Justice Byron R. White of the Supreme Court of the United States during the October 1966 Term. He joined Wilmer, Cutler & Pickering in 1967 and was a partner in the firm from 1974 until his appointment to the bench. His full biography is available on the Federal Judicial Center’s website.
The Court thanks Judge Clevenger for his decades of service and extends its best wishes to him in retirement.
