On October 16, 1985, Archer was nominated by President
Ronald Reagan to a seat on the
United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit vacated by Judge
Jack Miller. Archer was confirmed by the
United States Senate on December 16, 1985, and received his commission on December 17, 1985. He assumed duties as a Circuit Judge on December 23, 1985. He replaced Judge
Helen W. Nies as Chief Judge on March 18, 1994, and served in that capacity until December 24, 1997, when (now former) Chief Judge
Haldane Robert Mayer replaced him. Archer assumed
senior status on December 24, 1997. He died on July 27, 2011. ==Personal life==