President Donald Trump announced plans on June 19, 2019, to nominate Louisville Law Professor Justin Walker to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky.
Walker joined the faculty at Louisville Law in 2015, where he teaches Lawyering Skills and Writing for Practice. After graduating from Harvard Law School, he spent a year clerking for then-Judge Brett Kavanaugh, the newest justice on the Supreme Court. He also clerked for Justice Anthony Kennedy.
“Professor Walker will make a strong addition to the federal bench,” said Dean Colin Crawford. “He is well-regarded among his colleagues and students and has a true respect for the law. We congratulate him on this achievement and look forward to finding ways to continue his involvement with the School of Law as he takes on this new role.”
Walker has written about the separation of powers, national security law and federal courts. He has taught in Germany and Finland and is co-director of Louisville Law’s new Ordered Liberty Program.
He joined Louisville firm Dinsmore & Shohl as counsel earlier this year.
“Professor Walker is first and foremost a good and gentle person, deeply committed to the rule of law and the independence of our judiciary,” said John Selent, partner at Dinsmore. “He is equally committed to the administration of justice and will use his substantial analytical abilities to do so as Judge Justin Reed Walker.”
Donald Kelly, partner in charge of the Louisville office of Wyatt Tarrant & Combs, praised Walker’s nomination.
“He is a true constitutional scholar who has made an immediate impact on the Brandeis School of Law, its students, faculty and alumni and the greater Louisville community,” he said. “I am confident he will make an excellent judge.”
Logan Wood, a 2019 graduate of Louisville Law, worked as Walker’s research assistant as a student.
“I have been lucky enough to witness Justin’s dedication, intelligence and genuine heart at the Brandeis School of Law for the past three years, and there is no one more deserving of a nomination to the federal bench. While his resume speaks for itself, Justin goes above and beyond in everything that he does. He has zealously advocated for the needs and desires of the students and is always willing to lend a hand,” she said. “I have never once doubted his passion for the law or his ability to be fair and impartial. He will bring a great presence to the federal bench, and I support him fully.”
