Sheldon Jay Plager (born May 16, 1931) is a Senior United States circuit judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

He was in the United States Navy from 1948 to 1970, being commissioned as an ensign in 1952 and serving in active duty following World War II, earning the rank of Commander before he retired.

From 1986 to 1987, he was counselor to the undersecretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, followed by three years as associate director and later administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs in the Office of Management and Budget.

[2][1] Plager was nominated by President George H. W. Bush on September 12, 1989, to a seat on the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit vacated by Shiro Kashiwa, and he was confirmed by the United States Senate on November 8, 1989.

In addition to his teaching and judicial activities, he has authored numerous articles and books.