Kenneth Francis Ripple

Kenneth Francis Ripple (born May 19, 1943) is a Senior Circuit Judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. He received an A.B. degree from Fordham University in 1965, his law degree from University of Virginia School of Law in 1968, and an advanced legal degree from The George Washington University Law School in 1972.

Judge Ripple began his career as an officer in the Navy's Judge Advocate General Corps. In 1972, he became Legal Officer for the United States Supreme Court and, one year later, became Special Assistant to the Chief Justice. In 1977, Judge Ripple entered private practice where he spent eight years before joining the law faculty at the University of Notre Dame.

Judge Ripple was nominated by Ronald Reagan on April 1, 1985 to a new seat on the Seventh Circuit. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on May 3, 1985.

Judge Ripple has authored numerous books and articles on constitutional litigation, judicial decision-making and a wide variety of other legal topics. A member of the Virginia, New York, Indiana and District of Columbia Bars, Judge Ripple has the distinction of serving on the American delegation to the 1980 Anglo-American Judicial Exchange. He is also a member of the American Law Institute and has chaired the Advisory Committee on Federal Appellate Rules of Procedure.

Judge Ripple continues to hold a position as Professor of Law at the University of Notre Dame Law School, teaching Conflict of Laws, Federal Courts, and a Judicial Process Seminar.

Judge Ripple took senior status on September 1, 2008.