William Byrd Traxler, Jr.

William Byrd Traxler Jr. (born May 1, 1948) is an American jurist who currently serves as a senior United States circuit judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.

Early life and education

Traxler was born in Greenville, South Carolina. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Davidson College in 1970 and his Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1973.

Federal judicial service

Traxler was nominated by President George H. W. Bush in 1991, to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina vacated by Clyde H. Hamilton. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on February 27, 1992, and received his commission on March 2, 1992. In February 2013, Chief Justice John Roberts named Traxler the chair of the executive committee of the Judicial Conference of the United States. Traxler's term as the chief judge ended on July 8, 2016, and he was succeeded by Judge Roger Gregory. Traxler assumed senior status on August 31, 2018.