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Former U.S. District Judge Walter D. Kelley Jr. Joins FedArb as Arbitrator and Mediator
Former federal judge brings judicial authority, appellate perspective and decades of plaintiff- and defense-side business litigation experience to complex commercial, antitrust and intellectual property disputes.
June 22, 2026 – FedArb is pleased to announce that Hon. Walter D. Kelley Jr. has joined its panel as an arbitrator and mediator. Based in Washington, D.C., Judge Kelley brings federal judicial experience, an appellate perspective, and decades of business litigation experience from both the plaintiff and defense sides to high-stakes disputes involving sophisticated parties.
Nominated by President George W. Bush and unanimously confirmed by the Senate, Judge Kelley took office as a U.S. District Court judge for the Eastern District of Virginia in 2004. He issued more than 50 written opinions and sat by designation on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.
Before and after his judicial service, Judge Kelley litigated business disputes in private practice on both sides of the table, including antitrust, commercial litigation, and intellectual property matters. He was a partner at what is now Troutman Pepper Locke, Jones Day, and Hausfeld LLP. He was recognized by Best Lawyers in America and Super Lawyers, and he was named a Lawdragon 500 Global Plaintiff Lawyer. As part of a trial team, he helped secure a $111 million jury verdict in 2025 for patent infringement, and he previously obtained a $25 million jury verdict for copyright infringement. Judge Kelley retired from Hausfeld at the end of 2024 to devote his full-time attention to arbitration and mediation.
Judge Kelley serves as a FedArb neutral for complex commercial, antitrust, intellectual property, class action, and qui tam disputes. He also serves on the International Trade Commission’s Roster of Section 337 Mediators, where he mediates disputes involving patent infringement, trademark and trade dress issues, unfair competition, and international commerce.
“Judge Kelley brings something relatively rare: he has tried these cases himself, for plaintiffs and for defendants, and then judged them from the bench,” said Kennen D. Hagen, President and CEO of FedArb. “That combination of perspectives is exactly what sophisticated parties are looking for when the stakes are high.”
“After decades of litigating and judging these disputes, what drew me to FedArb was the chance to focus entirely on resolving them efficiently, and with the kind of practical judgment that comes from having sat on every side of the table,” Judge Kelley said.
About FedArb
About FedArb
FedArb is a global ADR firm providing comprehensive dispute resolution services to companies and law firms facing complex litigation. With a panel of more than 150 experienced professionals, including former law firm practice heads and more than 50 former Article III judges, FedArb helps litigators resolve disputes through arbitration, mediation, mock exercises, and other ADR methods efficiently and cost-effectively. For nearly two decades, FedArb has been the trusted choice for resolving consequential disputes, offering responsive client service and a commitment to putting the client first.