---
title: "William L. Waller Jr. | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/william-l-waller-jr-4912"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-08-22"
---

# William L. Waller Jr.

Mississippi Supreme Court · Judge

## Profile

- Court: Mississippi Supreme Court
- State: Mississippi
- Role: Judge
- Service status: former
- Last verified: 2026-08-22

## Summary

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

## Biography

### Professional career

- Judge, Mississippi Supreme Court, 1996-present
- William Lowe “Bill” Waller Jr. is an American judge who served on the Supreme Court of Mississippi from 1998 to 2019, including ten years as Chief Justice
- Attorney at the firm Waller and Waller until he became a municipal court judge in 1995
- His legacy is tied to modernizing Mississippi’s justice system through procedural reforms, technology initiatives, and institutional strengthening

### Education

- University of Mississippi School of Law in — J.D. (1977)

### Additional information

- He was elected to the Mississippi Supreme Court in 1996, taking office in 1998, and reelected in 2004
- Practitioner, 1995-1995
- Born February 9, 1952.
- Date of birth: 1952-02-09
- Before joining the state’s highest court, Waller practiced law with Waller and Waller in Jackson for over 20 years and held the role of a municipal court judge in Jackson.
- Waller was born in Jackson, Mississippi, the son of former Mississippi Governor Bill Waller Sr. and Carroll Waller.
- He also served in the Mississippi Army National Guard and U.S. Army Reserve, attaining the rank of Brigadier General
- Waller received multiple Judicial Excellence Awards and the Mississippi State University Pre-Law Society’s Distinguished Jurist Award.

## 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

### electronic media coverage

Scope: statewide

Mississippi allows electronic media coverage of public judicial proceedings in appellate and trial courts of record, subject to the rules and presiding judge control.

Evidence excerpt: Electronic media coverage of public judicial proceedings shall be allowed in the appellate and trial courts of record in this state subject to the conditions below.

[Mississippi Rules for Electronic and Photographic Coverage of Judicial Proceedings](https://courts.ms.gov/research/rules/msrulesofcourt/rules_electronicphotographic_coverage.pdf)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### presiding judge discretion

Scope: statewide

The presiding Mississippi justice or judge may limit or terminate electronic coverage when necessary to protect rights, witnesses, dignity of the court, or orderly proceedings.

Evidence excerpt: The presiding justice or judge has the discretion to limit or terminate electronic coverage at any time during the proceedings

[Mississippi Rules for Electronic and Photographic Coverage of Judicial Proceedings](https://courts.ms.gov/research/rules/msrulesofcourt/rules_electronicphotographic_coverage.pdf)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### advance notice for media

Scope: statewide

Mississippi media representatives must provide advance notice for electronic or photographic coverage under the court rules.

Evidence excerpt: Rule 5 ... requires that media representatives give at least 48 hours

[Mississippi Rules for Electronic and Photographic Coverage of Judicial Proceedings](https://courts.ms.gov/research/rules/msrulesofcourt/rules_electronicphotographic_coverage.pdf)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/4912/william-l-waller-jr/)
- [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/4912/william-l-waller-jr/)
- [Mississippi Supreme Court current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/4912/william-l-waller-jr/)
- [Mississippi Rules for Electronic and Photographic Coverage of Judicial Proceedings](https://courts.ms.gov/research/rules/msrulesofcourt/rules_electronicphotographic_coverage.pdf)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/4912/william-l-waller-jr/)
- [Retirement ceremony for Chief Justice Waller to be held Jan. 25 - State of Mississippi Judiciary News](https://courts.ms.gov/news/2019/01.17.19WLW%20retirement%20ceremony.php)
- [William Waller - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/William_Waller)

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