 | This articleneeds additional citations forverification. Please helpimprove this article byadding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Walter King Stapleton" – news ·newspapers ·books ·scholar ·JSTOR(June 2025) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
Walter Stapleton | |
|---|---|
| Senior Judge of theUnited States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit | |
| In office June 2, 1999 – November 23, 2024 | |
| Judge of theUnited States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit | |
| In office April 4, 1985 – June 2, 1999 | |
| Appointed by | Ronald Reagan |
| Preceded by | Seat established by 98 Stat. 333 |
| Succeeded by | Thomas L. Ambro |
| Chief Judge of theUnited States District Court for the District of Delaware | |
| In office December 23, 1983 – May 8, 1985 | |
| Preceded by | James Levin Latchum |
| Succeeded by | Murray Merle Schwartz |
| Judge of theUnited States District Court for the District of Delaware | |
| In office October 14, 1970 – May 8, 1985 | |
| Appointed by | Richard Nixon |
| Preceded by | Edwin DeHaven Steel Jr. |
| Succeeded by | Jane Richards Roth |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1934-06-02)June 2, 1934 Cuthbert, Georgia, U.S. |
| Died | November 23, 2024(2024-11-23) (aged 90) Penn, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Education | Princeton University (AB) Harvard University (LLB) University of Virginia (LLM) |
Walter King Stapleton (June 2, 1934 – November 23, 2024) was aUnited States circuit judge of theUnited States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit and a United States district judge of theUnited States District Court for the District of Delaware.
Stapleton was born inCuthbert, Georgia on June 2, 1934. He received anArtium Baccalaureus degree fromPrinceton University in 1956. He received aBachelor of Laws fromHarvard Law School in 1959. He received aMaster of Laws fromUniversity of Virginia School of Law in 1984. He was in private practice of law inWilmington,Delaware from 1959 to 1970. He was a deputy attorney general of Delaware from 1963 to 1964.[1]
Stapleton was nominated by PresidentRichard Nixon on September 22, 1970, to a seat on theUnited States District Court for the District of Delaware vacated by JudgeEdwin DeHaven Steel Jr. He was confirmed by theUnited States Senate on October 8, 1970, and received commission six days later. He served as Chief Judge from 1983 to 1985. His service was terminated on May 8, 1985, due to elevation to the Third Circuit.[1]
Stapleton was nominated by PresidentRonald Reagan on March 27, 1985, to theUnited States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, to a new seat created by 98 Stat. 333.[2] He was confirmed by the Senate on April 3, 1985, and received commission the following day. He assumedsenior status on June 2, 1999.[1] His service was terminated upon his death in 2024.[3]
Stapleton died inPenn, Pennsylvania on November 23, 2024, at the age of 90.[3]
| Legal offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Judge of theUnited States District Court for the District of Delaware 1970–1985 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Chief Judge of theUnited States District Court for the District of Delaware 1983–1985 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by Seat established by 98 Stat. 333 | Judge of theUnited States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit 1985–1999 | Succeeded by |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
