---
title: "Justin Reed Walker | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/justin-reed-walker"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-09"
---

# Justin Reed Walker

U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit · U.S. Circuit Judge

## Profile

- Court: U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
- State: National federal courts
- Role: U.S. Circuit Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-07-25

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Biography

### Professional career

- Judge, Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, 2020-present
- American federal judge serving on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit since September 2, 2020, appointed by President Donald Trump and confirmed by the Senate
- associate professor of law, 2019-present
- Judge, District Court, W.D. Kentucky, 2019-2020
- assistant professor of law, 2015-2019
- Law clerk, Hon. Anthony M. Kennedy, Supreme Court of the United States, 2011-2012
- Law clerk, Hon. Brett M. Kavanaugh, U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, 2010-2011
- Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit

### Education

- Harvard University — J.D. (2009)
- Harvard Law School, magna cum laude, Harvard Law Review notes editor — J.D. (2009)
- Duke University, summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa — B.A. (2004)

### Additional information

- Appointed: September 2, 2020, replacing Thomas B. Griffith
- 2, 2020), appointed by Trump to replace Joseph H. McKinley Jr.
- University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law, 2015-2019
- Private practice in Washington, D.C. (2009–2010, 2012–2013) and Louisville, KY (2013–2019)
- Law clerkships: Hon. Brett M. Kavanaugh, D.C. Circuit (2010–2011) Hon. Anthony M. Kennedy, U.S. Supreme Court (2011–2012)
- Born in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1982, Walker was named after Justin Hayward of The Moody Blues.
- Date of birth: 1982-01-01
- St. Xavier High School
- Has taught law in multiple U.S. states and abroad
- He grew up in a Democratic household but became active in Republican politics early, including internships for U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell.
- Birth place: Louisville, KY

## Before you appear

- Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed.
- Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance.
- Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding.

## Courtroom Rules

### appellate oral argument

Scope: courtwide

In federal courts of appeals, oral argument is allowed unless a three-judge panel unanimously finds one of Rule 34's specified grounds for dispensing with it; the clerk provides the date, time, place, and time allocation.

Evidence excerpt: Oral argument must be allowed in every case unless a panel of three judges who have examined the briefs and record unanimously agrees that oral argument is unnecessary

[Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 34, Oral Argument](https://www.uscourts.gov/forms-rules/current-rules-practice-procedure/federal-rules-appellate-procedure)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://www.fjc.gov/node/7263221)
- [Official roster](https://www.fjc.gov/node/7263221)
- [Federal Judicial Center biography](https://www.fjc.gov/node/7263221)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/14418/justin-reed-walker/)
- [Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 34, Oral Argument](https://www.uscourts.gov/forms-rules/current-rules-practice-procedure/federal-rules-appellate-procedure)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/14418/justin-reed-walker/)
- [Wikidata: Justin R. Walker](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q64748397)

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