Chief Judge Traxler to Chair Executive Committee

Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr. has appointed Chief Judge William B. Traxler, Jr. (4th Cir.) Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Judicial Conference of the United States.

In making the appointment, Chief Justice Roberts said: “Judge Traxler assumes this important administrative role at a time when the federal judiciary faces significant financial challenges. I know the Executive Committee and the Judicial Conference will benefit from Bill Traxler’s skilled leadership, commitment to cost containment and prudent management. I am pleased that Bill has agreed to take on this new responsibility in addition to the many demands he already faces as chief judge of his circuit. I look forward to working closely with him.”

Traxler’s appointment as chair of the Executive Committee becomes effective today. He has been a member of the Committee since 2010 and succeeds Judge David B. Sentelle (D.C. Cir.), who has chaired the Executive Committee since June, 2010, and who assumed senior status February 12, 2013.

Traxler expressed his appreciation to the Chief Justice for the appointment. “I thank the Chief Justice for his confidence and support and look forward to this important assignment,” he said.

The seven-member Executive Committee serves as the senior executive arm of the Judicial Conference and is authorized to act on behalf of the Conference between its biannual sessions. Also serving on the Executive Committee are Chief Judges Joel F. Dubina (11th Cir.), William Jay Riley (8th Cir.), Mary Beck Briscoe (10th Cir.), and Sarah S. Vance, (E.D. La.), and Judges Robert S. Lasnik (W.D. Wash.), and Rodney W. Sippel (E.D. Mo.). Judge Thomas F. Hogan, Director of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, is an ex-officio member of the Committee.

Traxler was appointed to the U.S. District Court for South Carolina in March 1992 and served on that court until October 1998 when he was elevated to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. He has served as chief judge of the Fourth Circuit since 2009.

Traxler received his B.A. from Davidson College in 1970 and J.D. from the University of South Carolina Law Center in 1973. He worked in the Office of the Solicitor, 13th Judicial Circuit, Greenville County, South Carolina as assistant solicitor, deputy solicitor, and solicitor before becoming resident judge for the the 13th Judicial Circuit, Greenville County, South Carolina.