William Keith Watkins

William Keith Watkins (born July 5, 1951) is a senior United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama.

Education and career Born in Pike County, Alabama, Watkins received a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from Auburn University in 1973 and a Juris Doctor from the University of Alabama School of Law in 1976. He was in private practice in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, from 1976-1978 and then in Troy, Alabama, from 1978-2005.

Federal judicial service On September 28, 2005, Watkins was nominated by President George W. Bush to a seat on the United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama vacated by Harold Albritton. Watkins was confirmed by the United States Senate on December 21, 2005, and received his commission on December 27, 2005. He served as Chief Judge from 2011 to 2019. He assumed senior status on January 31, 2019.

Notable ruling In April 2017, Watkins issued an order enabling white supremacist Richard B. Spencer to speak at Auburn University despite an initial cancelation by the administrators. In July 2017, Watkins found that Alabama did not need to notify formerly disenfranchised ex-felons of new legislation allowing them to vote.