Chicago Law Schools to Become Federal Courtrooms for Citywide October Session

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit will hold oral arguments at six Chicago law schools and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit courthouse from October 5 through October 8. Eight three-judge panels will hear 32 pending appeals drawn from the court’s nationwide docket.

The Federal Circuit hears appeals involving patents, veterans’ benefits, international trade, federal employment, and government contracts from across the country. The proceedings being held in Chicago will be official sessions of the court, and attorneys will present arguments before federal judges under the same procedures followed at the Federal Circuit’s courthouse in Washington, D.C.

“Chicago is a great legal city,” said Chief Judge Kimberly A. Moore. “The Federal Circuit serves the entire country, and sessions like this give law students and members of the public an opportunity to see the court at work. We look forward to hearing cases across Chicago and meeting with students.”

The out-of-town session is a part of the court’s regular public and educational outreach, bringing its work to communities outside of Washington, D.C. Following the conclusion of oral arguments, law students will have the opportunity to participate in question-and-answer sessions with judges about appellate advocacy, the judicial process, legal careers, and more.

The Federal Circuit has held similar sessions in Minneapolis, Minnesota; Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas; Wilmington, Delaware; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Atlanta, Georgia; San Francisco, California; and Boston, Massachusetts.

All eight sessions begin at 10 a.m. CDT. The schedule is:

• Monday, Oct. 5, 10 a.m. CDT
  • Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law: Thorne Auditorium
  • DePaul University College of Law: Leonard M. Ring Courtroom
• Tuesday, Oct. 6, 10 a.m. CDT
  • Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago-Kent College of Law: Judge Abraham Lincoln Marovitz Courtroom
  • University of Illinois Chicago School of Law: Edith and Philip Baim Courtroom
• Wednesday, Oct. 7, 10 a.m. CDT
  • Loyola University Chicago School of Law: Power Rogers & Smith Ceremonial Courtroom
  • University of Chicago Law School: Weymouth Kirkland Courtroom
• Thursday, Oct. 8, 10 a.m. CDT
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit: Main Courtroom, 27th floor
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit: James B. Parsons Ceremonial Courtroom, 25th floor

Oral arguments are open to the public and news media, subject to available seating and security requirements. Additional information is available in the court’s October 2026 public calendar and notice for the October 2026 session.

About the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

Established in 1982 and based in Washington, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit hears appeals from across the country involving patents,international trade, government contracts, federal employment, veterans’ benefits and other areas of federal law. More information is available at www.cafc.uscourts.gov.

For additional information, please contact the Circuit Executive’s Office at 202-275-8040.