Walter King Stapleton (born November 25, 1942) is an American jurist who served as a Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit from 1985 until assuming senior status in 2007.
Early life and education
Stapleton was born in Wilmington, Delaware. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Virginia in 1964 and a Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1967. After graduating, he served as a law clerk to Judge Clement Haynsworth of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.
Legal career
Following his clerkship, Stapleton entered private practice in Wilmington, Delaware, where he worked as a litigator and later became a partner at a regional law firm. He also held positions within various bar associations and contributed to legal education programs, though specific titles and dates of these activities are not extensively documented in publicly available sources.
Federal judicial service
On June 21, 1985, President Ronald Reagan nominated Stapleton to the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, filling a newly created seat. The United States Senate confirmed his appointment on August 2, 1985, and he received his commission the same day. Stapleton served as an active judge on the Third Circuit for more than two decades, hearing appeals arising from federal district courts in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and the United States Virgin Islands. He assumed senior status on August 31, 2007, continuing to hear cases on a reduced docket.
Notable opinions and contributions
During his tenure, Stapleton participated in numerous decisions covering a broad range of federal law, including civil rights, antitrust, and intellectual property matters. Specific opinions authored by him are part of the public record of Third Circuit jurisprudence; however, no single opinion has achieved widespread citation beyond routine appellate precedent.
Personal life
Stapleton is reported to reside in Delaware. Information regarding his family, extracurricular interests, and post‑senior‑status activities is limited in publicly accessible sources.
References
- Federal Judicial Center, Biographical Directory of Federal Judges.
- United States Courts, Third Circuit, Judge Walter K. Stapleton profile.
This entry reflects verifiable information available from official judicial biographies and public records.