Skip to main content

Meet New Federal Circuit Chief Judge Sharon Prost

By Gabriella Khorasanee, JD on June 10, 2014 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

Last month former Federal Circuit Chief Judge Randall Rader resigned from his post to squash any appearance of impropriety following the news that he had written a complimentary letter to an attorney that appeared before his court.

Following his departure, Judge Sharon Prost has taken the helm as new Federal Circuit Chief Judge -- let's learn a little more about her.

Want to spend more time practicing, and less time advertising? Leave the marketing to the experts.

Succession Rules

On May 23, former Chief Judge Rader announced that he would step down on May 30, 2014, and the Federal Circuit announced in accordance with statutory succession, the new Chief Judge would be Judge Sharon Prost. Under the succession rules, the most senior regular active service judge, who has not yet reached the age of 65 and who has not served as Chief Judge before, shall be designated as Chief Judge, according to Patently-O.

Chief Judge Sharon Prost's Education

Chief Judge Sharon Prost has no shortage of degrees -- she has many initials to fall back on. She first received her B.S. in 1973 from Cornell University, and followed up with an M.B.A. from The George Washington University in 1975. Four years later she received her J.D. from Washington College of Law, and then in 1984, followed that up with an LL.M. from George Washington University School of Law.

Chief Judge Sharon Prost's Work Experience

According to the Federal Circuit website, Chief Judge Prost has worked in all three branches of government. She began working in government by working as counsel for five different agencies in the executive branch, and later went on to work as counsel for several Senate committees. In 2001, Prost was nominated to the Federal Circuit by George W. Bush, filling the seat vacated by S. Jay Plager.

We welcome Chief Judge Sharon Prost in her new role.

Related Resources:

Copied to clipboard