David S. Tatel

About the Author

David S. Tatel is a distinguished jurist and author whose career has been marked by a profound commitment to justice and equality. Serving as a federal judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit from 1994 until his retirement in 2022, Tatel navigated the complexities of the legal system with insight and integrity, even as he confronted the challenges of progressive vision loss due to retinitis pigmentosa. In his acclaimed memoir, Vision: A Memoir of Blindness and Justice, he offers an intimate exploration of how blindness reshaped his perspective on law, leadership, and life, blending personal vulnerability with sharp intellectual analysis. A graduate of the University of Michigan Law School, Tatel has also been a tireless advocate for civil rights and environmental protection, influencing landmark decisions that continue to echo in American jurisprudence. Through his writing, he illuminates the intersections of disability, empathy, and the pursuit of a more just society.