Skip to main content

United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit

6th Circuit Cincinnati, Ohio
Official Court Website

About This Court

Hears appeals from the district courts of the 6th Circuit, listed below. Proceedings are governed by the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure, along with the court's own rules.

Active Judges 17

Name Appointed By Confirmed Law School
Rachel Bloomekatz Joseph R. Biden 2023 University of California, Los Angeles, School of Law
John Bush Donald J. Trump 2017 Harvard Law School
Eric Clay William J. Clinton 1997 Yale Law School
Stephanie Davis Joseph R. Biden 2022 Washington University School of Law
Benjamin Flowers Donald J. Trump 2026 University of Chicago Law School
Richard Griffin George W. Bush 2005 University of Michigan Law School
Whitney Hermandorfer Donald J. Trump 2025 George Washington University Law School
Raymond Kethledge George W. Bush 2008 University of Michigan Law School
Joan Larsen Donald J. Trump 2017 Northwestern University School of Law (now Pritzker School of Law)
Andre Mathis Joseph R. Biden 2022 University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law
Karen Moore William J. Clinton 1995 Harvard Law School
Eric Murphy Donald J. Trump 2019 University of Chicago Law School
John Nalbandian Donald J. Trump 2018 University of Virginia School of Law
Chad Readler Donald J. Trump 2019 University of Michigan Law School
Kevin Ritz Joseph R. Biden 2024 University of Virginia School of Law
Jeffrey Sutton George W. Bush 2003 Ohio State University College of Law (now Michael E. Moritz College of Law)
Amul Thapar Donald J. Trump 2017 University of California, Berkeley, School of Law

Senior Judges 15

Name Appointed By Confirmed Law School
Alice Batchelder George H.W. Bush 1991 University of Akron School of Law
Danny Boggs Ronald Reagan 1986 University of Chicago Law School
Ransey Cole William J. Clinton 1995 Yale Law School
Deborah Cook George W. Bush 2003 University of Akron School of Law
Martha Daughtrey William J. Clinton 1993 Vanderbilt University Law School
Julia Gibbons George W. Bush 2002 University of Virginia School of Law
Ronald Gilman William J. Clinton 1997 Harvard Law School
David McKeague George W. Bush 2005 University of Michigan Law School
Alan Norris Ronald Reagan 1986 New York University School of Law
John Rogers George W. Bush 2002 University of Michigan Law School
James Ryan Ronald Reagan 1985 University of Detroit Law School (now University of Detroit Mercy School of Law)
Eugene Siler George H.W. Bush 1991 University of Virginia School of Law
Jane Stranch Barack Obama 2010 Vanderbilt University Law School
Richard Suhrheinrich George H.W. Bush 1990 Detroit College of Law (now Michigan State University College of Law)
Helene White George W. Bush 2008 University of Pennsylvania Law School (now Carey Law School)

Local Rules

The Rules and Internal Operating Procedures of the Sixth Circuit, which supplement the Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure. See the court's official website for the authoritative text.

Title I. Applicability of Rules 4

RuleTitle
6 Cir. R. 1 Scope of Rules and Title
6 Cir. I.O.P. 1 Scope and Title
6 Cir. R. 2 Suspension of Rules
6 Cir. I.O.P. 2 [Reserved]

Title II. Appeal from a Judgment or Order of a District Court 20

RuleTitle
6 Cir. R. 3 Dismissal for Nonpayment of Fees
6 Cir. I.O.P. 3 Fees
6 Cir. R. 4 [Reserved]
6 Cir. I.O.P. 4 [Reserved]
6 Cir. R. 5 Filing of Petition and Subsequent Documents; Fee
6 Cir. I.O.P. 5 [Reserved]
6 Cir. R. 6 Appeal in Bankruptcy Case from a Final Judgment, Order, or Decree of a District Court or of the Bankruptcy Appellate Panel – Fees
6 Cir. I.O.P. 6 [Reserved]
6 Cir. R. 7 [Reserved]
6 Cir. I.O.P. 7 [Reserved]
6 Cir. R. 8 Stay Pending Appeal in Death Penalty Cases
6 Cir. I.O.P. 8 [Reserved]
6 Cir. R. 9 Release in a Criminal Case
6 Cir. I.O.P. 9 Release in a Criminal Case
6 Cir. R. 10 The Record on Appeal
6 Cir. I.O.P. 10 The Record on Appeal — Exhibits
6 Cir. R. 11 Forwarding the Record
6 Cir. I.O.P. 11 Forwarding the Record
6 Cir. R. 12 Filing a Representation Statement; Appearance of Counsel; Counsel’s Representation in Criminal Cases
6 Cir. I.O.P. 12 Appearance

Title III. Appeals from the United States Tax Court 4

RuleTitle
6 Cir. R. 13 Review of a Decision of the Tax Court
6 Cir. I.O.P. 13 [Reserved]
6 Cir. R. 14 Review of a Decision of the Tax Court
6 Cir. I.O.P. 14 Review of a Decision of the Tax Court

Title IV. Review or Enforcement of an Order of an Administrative Agency, Board, Commission, or Officer 13

RuleTitle
6 Cir. R. 15 Electronic Filing
6 Cir. I.O.P. 15 Review or Enforcement of an Agency Order - Paper and Electronic Filing
6 Cir. R. 15.1 [Reserved]
6 Cir. I.O.P. 15.1 [Reserved]
6 Cir. R. 16 [Reserved]
6 Cir. I.O.P. 16 [Reserved]
6 Cir. R. 17 Filing the Record for an Immigration Review Petition
6 Cir. I.O.P. 17 [Reserved]
6 Cir. R. 18 Motion for Stay Pending Review
6 Cir. R. 19 [Reserved]
6 Cir. I.O.P. 19 Amendment, Correction or Settlement of a Judgment
6 Cir. R. 20 Applicability of Rules to the Review or Enforcement of an Agency Order
6 Cir. I.O.P. 20 [Reserved]

Title V. Extraordinary Writs 2

RuleTitle
6 Cir. R. 21 Writs of Mandamus and Prohibition, and Other Extraordinary Writs - Filing Fee
6 Cir. I.O.P. 21 Writ of Mandamus and Prohibition, and Other Extraordinary Writs

Title VI. Habeas Corpus; Proceedings in Forma Pauperis 6

RuleTitle
6 Cir. R. 22 Habeas Corpus and Section 2255 Proceedings — Second or Successive Applications — Death Penalty Cases
6 Cir. I.O.P. 22 Habeas Corpus and Section 2255 Proceedings
6 Cir. R. 23 [Reserved]
6 Cir. I.O.P. 23 [Reserved]
6 Cir. R. 24 Proceedings in Forma Pauperis - Application for Pauper Status on Appeal - Criminal
6 Cir. I.O.P. 24 [Reserved]

Title VII. General Provisions 54

RuleTitle
6 Cir. R. 25 Filing and Service; Electronic Case Filing
6 Cir. I.O.P. 25 Filing and Service; Electronic Case Filing
6 Cir. R. 26 Extending Time; Failure to File or Untimely Filing
6 Cir. I.O.P. 26 Extending Time
6 Cir. R. 26.1 Corporate Disclosure Statement
6 Cir. I.O.P. 26.1 [Reserved]
6 Cir. R. 27 Motions
6 Cir. I.O.P. 27 Motions
6 Cir. R. 28 Briefs
6 Cir. I.O.P. 28 Briefs
6 Cir. R. 28.1 [Reserved]
6 Cir. I.O.P. 28.1 [Reserved]
6 Cir. R. 29 Motion to Participate in Oral Argument
6 Cir. I.O.P. 29 [Reserved]
6 Cir. R. 30 Appendix to the Briefs; Designation of Relevant Documents; Record in Lieu of Appendix
6 Cir. I.O.P. 30 [Reserved]
6 Cir. R. 31 Serving and Filing Briefs
6 Cir. I.O.P. 31 [Reserved]
6 Cir. R. 32 Form of Briefs
6 Cir. I.O.P. 32 [Reserved]
6 Cir. R. 32.1 Citing Judicial Dispositions; Effect of Published Decisions
6 Cir. I.O.P. 32.1 Preparation and Release of Opinions; Publication of Decisions
6 Cir. R. 33 Appeal Conferences - Mediation
6 Cir. I.O.P. 33 [Reserved]
6 Cir. R. 34 Oral Argument
6 Cir. I.O.P. 34 Oral Argument - Calendaring; Panel Selection and Identity; Notice of Hearing, Postponement, and Presentation of Oral Argument; Screening and Summary Decisions
6 Cir. R. 35 (Transferred to 6 Cir. R. 40)
6 Cir. I.O.P. 35 (Transferred to 6 Cir. I.O.P. 40)
6 Cir. R. 36 Entry of Judgment
6 Cir. I.O.P. 36 [Reserved]
6 Cir. R. 37 [Reserved]
6 Cir. I.O.P. 37 [Reserved]
6 Cir. R. 38 [Reserved]
6 Cir. I.O.P. 38 [Reserved]
6 Cir. R. 39 Costs Recoverable for Filing Paper Briefs
6 Cir. I.O.P. 39 Bill of Costs - Allowable Costs and Motion to Extend Time
6 Cir. R. 40 Panel Rehearing; En Banc Determination
6 Cir. I.O.P. 40 Petitions for Rehearing
6 Cir. R. 41 Issuance of Mandate; Stay of Mandate
6 Cir. I.O.P. 41 Issuance of Mandate; Stay of Mandate – Right to Certiorari Not Affected
6 Cir. R. 42 Voluntary Dismissal
6 Cir. I.O.P. 42 [Reserved]
6 Cir. R. 43 [Reserved]
6 Cir. I.O.P. 43 [Reserved]
6 Cir. R. 44 [Reserved]
6 Cir. I.O.P. 44 [Reserved]
6 Cir. R. 45 Duties of Clerks - Procedural Orders
6 Cir. I.O.P. 45 Duties of Clerks – Clerk’s Office
6 Cir. R. 46 Attorneys - Admission of Attorneys, Attorney Discipline, Law Student Practice
6 Cir. I.O.P. 46 [Reserved]
6 Cir. R. 47 Rule Amendments
6 Cir. I.O.P. 47 Advisory Committee On Rules
6 Cir. R. 48 [Reserved]
6 Cir. I.O.P. 48 [Reserved]

Supplemental Procedural Rules 10

RuleTitle
6 Cir. R. 101 [Reserved]
6 Cir. I.O.P. 101 [Reserved]
6 Cir. R. 102 [Reserved]
6 Cir. I.O.P. 102 [Reserved]
6 Cir. R. 103 [Reserved]
6 Cir. I.O.P. 103 [Reserved]
6 Cir. R. 104 [Reserved]
6 Cir. I.O.P. 104 [Reserved]
6 Cir. R. 105 [Reserved]
6 Cir. I.O.P. 105 Complaints of Judicial Misconduct

Administrative Rules 12

RuleTitle
6 Cir. R. 201 [Reserved]
6 Cir. I.O.P. 201 [Reserved]
6 Cir. R. 202 Sessions of Court
6 Cir. I.O.P. 202 Sessions—Court Facilities and Personnel
6 Cir. R. 203 Assignment of Judges; Quorum
6 Cir. I.O.P. 203 [Reserved]
6 Cir. R. 204 Court Library and Materials
6 Cir. I.O.P. 204 Library Hours of Operation
6 Cir. R. 205 Judicial Conference of the Sixth Circuit
6 Cir. I.O.P. 205 [Reserved]
6 Cir. R. 206 [Reserved]
6 Cir. I.O.P. 206 [Reserved]

Sixth Circuit Guide to Electronic Filing 15

RuleTitle
Guide to Electronic Filing Introduction
Guide § 1 Definitions
Guide § 2 Registration; Passwords
Guide § 3 Mandatory Electronic Filing; Exceptions
Guide § 4 [Reserved]
Guide § 5 Record on Appeal and Appendices
Guide § 6 Briefs on Appeal - Proof Briefs Eliminated
Guide § 7 Documents Filed Under Seal
Guide § 8 Signatures
Guide § 9 Entry onto the Docket; Official Court Record
Guide § 10 Service of Documents
Guide § 11 Access to Documents
Guide § 12 Privacy Protection and Redactions
Guide § 13 Filing Deadlines; Technical Failures
Guide § 14 Training

District Courts in the 6th Circuit 9

Eastern District of Kentucky Lexington, Kentucky Western District of Kentucky Louisville, Kentucky Eastern District of Michigan Detroit, Michigan Western District of Michigan Grand Rapids, Michigan Northern District of Ohio Cleveland, Ohio Southern District of Ohio Columbus, Ohio Eastern District of Tennessee Knoxville, Tennessee Middle District of Tennessee Nashville, Tennessee Western District of Tennessee Memphis, Tennessee