---
title: "R. David Proctor | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/r-david-proctor-2632"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-09"
---

# R. David Proctor

U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama · Judge

## Profile

- Court: U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama
- State: Alabama
- Role: Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-06-30

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Biography

### Professional career

- Judge, District Court, N.D. Alabama, 2003-present
- Law clerk, Hon. H. Emory Widener, Jr., U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, 1986-1987
- As a senior judge, Proctor continues to hear cases and manage court proceedings

### Education

- University of Tennessee College of Law in — J.D. (1986)
- Carson–Newman College (now Carson–Newman University) in — B.A. (1983)
- Carson-Newman College with his bachelor's degree — 1983

### Additional information

- Joined the court in 2003 after being nominated by President George W. Bush.
- Private practice, Birmingham, AL, 1987-2003
- After his clerkship, Proctor entered private practice in Birmingham, Alabama, where he worked from 1987 until 2003.
- Following law school, he clerked for Hiram Emory Widener Jr. of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit from 1986 to 1987
- Robert David Proctor was born on December 5, 1960, in Atlanta, Georgia.
- Date of birth: 1960-01-01
- Attorneys must indicate whether motions are "Opposed" or "Unopposed" and summarize attempts to resolve disputes in the first paragraph of filings United States Courts.
- During this period, he gained extensive experience in civil and federal law matters.
- His court requires parties to follow specific briefing schedules and procedural rules, including electronic filing deadlines for motions, supplemental responses, and other memoranda.
- Birth place: Atlanta, GA

## 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

### media recording photography broadcasting

Scope: statewide

Alabama Rule of Criminal Procedure 9.4 permits televising, photographing, or radio broadcasting of judicial proceedings only as provided by Alabama judicial ethics canons, law, or another court rule.

Evidence excerpt: The taking of television pictures or other photographs in or of the courtroom during the progress of judicial proceedings or the radio broadcasting of judicial proceedings may be permitted as provided in Canon 3(A)(7) and (7B), Canons of Judicial Ethics, promulgated by the Alabama Supreme Court, or as otherwise may be permitted by law or other rule of court.

[Alabama Rule of Criminal Procedure 9.4: Televising, photographing, or radio broadcasting of judicial proceedings](https://judicial.alabama.gov/docs/library/rules/cr9_4.pdf)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/2632/r-david-proctor/)
- [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/2632/r-david-proctor/)
- [U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/2632/r-david-proctor/)
- [Alabama Rule of Criminal Procedure 9.4: Televising, photographing, or radio broadcasting of judicial proceedings](https://judicial.alabama.gov/docs/library/rules/cr9_4.pdf)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/2632/r-david-proctor/)
- [Senior Judge R. David Proctor | Northern District of Alabama | United States District Court](https://www.alnd.uscourts.gov/content/senior-judge-r-david-proctor)
- [David Proctor - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/David_Proctor)
- [Wikidata: R. David Proctor](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7273576)

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## Published courtroom rules

### Shared court rules

- [Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, December 1, 2025](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-651872d6e45e0d82319ecccc) — Civil actions in United States District Courts; Rule 81 exceptions apply. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule. [Official source](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-civil-procedure.pdf). Collected 2026-10-27.
- [Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, December 1, 2025](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-8721a344fececced2257fe1d) — Criminal proceedings in United States District Courts; this conservative mapping does not distribute appellate-specific provisions to appellate judges. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule. [Official source](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-criminal-procedure.pdf). Collected 2026-10-27.
