--- title: "William B Porter | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/william-b-porter-virginia-us-magistrate" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-08" --- # William B Porter U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia · U.S. Magistrate Judge ## Profile - Court: U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia - State: Virginia - Role: U.S. Magistrate Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-29 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## 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 ### civil remote testimony Scope: courtwide In federal district-court civil proceedings, testimony is ordinarily taken in open court; remote contemporaneous testimony requires good cause in compelling circumstances and appropriate safeguards. Evidence excerpt: For good cause in compelling circumstances and with appropriate safeguards, the court may permit testimony in open court by contemporaneous transmission from a different location. [Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 43(a), Testimony in Open Court](https://www.uscourts.gov/forms-rules/current-rules-practice-procedure/federal-rules-civil-procedure) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### criminal recording and broadcasting Scope: courtwide Federal district courts may not permit courtroom photography or broadcasting during criminal judicial proceedings unless a statute or another federal rule provides an exception. Evidence excerpt: Except as otherwise provided by a statute or these rules, the court must not permit the taking of photographs in the courtroom during judicial proceedings or the broadcasting of judicial proceedings from the courtroom. [Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 53, Courtroom Photographing and Broadcasting Prohibited](https://www.uscourts.gov/court-records/access-court-proceedings/remote-public-access-proceedings/history-cameras-broadcasting-and-remote-public-access-courts) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/cjra_na_0331.2026.pdf#page=36) - [Official roster](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/cjra_na_0331.2026.pdf#page=36) - [U.S. Courts judicial profile or roster](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/cjra_na_0331.2026.pdf#page=36) - [Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 43(a), Testimony in Open Court](https://www.uscourts.gov/forms-rules/current-rules-practice-procedure/federal-rules-civil-procedure) - [Federal Rule of Criminal Procedure 53, Courtroom Photographing and Broadcasting Prohibited](https://www.uscourts.gov/court-records/access-court-proceedings/remote-public-access-proceedings/history-cameras-broadcasting-and-remote-public-access-courts) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/william-b-porter-virginia-us-magistrate", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/william-b-porter-virginia-us-magistrate", "name": "William B Porter | KnowJudges", "description": "William B Porter, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. 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Porter was appointed as a Magistrate Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, Alexandria Division, with his service beginning on February 5, 2024 - Served in the 19th Judicial Circuit (Fairfax County) from 1997 to 1998 and later joined Blankingship & Keith, P.C., a Fairfax-based general practice law firm, where he became President and Managing Principal in 2014 - As a magistrate judge, Porter brings decades of experience in civil and criminal law, as well as leadership in legal practice management, to the federal judiciary ### Education ### Additional information - His appointment was officially ordered on November 21, 2023 - He held the role of President of the Federal Bar Association’s local chapter from 2018 to 2019 and contributed to the Virginia State Bar in multiple capacities, including as a faculty member for the Harry Carrico Professionalism Course and as a Bar Counsel Representative for the 19th Judicial Circuit from 2012 to 2018 - Porter has been actively involved in the legal community - These roles highlight his commitment to legal professionalism and mentorship within the bar - Before joining the federal bench, Porter had an extensive legal career - At Blankingship & Keith, he played a key role in shaping the firm’s direction, fostering a culture of legal excellence, and providing client-focused services ## 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.