William Clark O'Kelley

Who is William Clark O'Kelley?

William Clark O'Kelley is a United States federal judge.

Born in Atlanta, Georgia, O'Kelley received an A.B. from Emory University in 1951 and an LL.B. from Emory University School of Law in 1953. He was in the U.S. Air Force from 1953 to 1957, thereafter remaining in the U.S. Air Force Reserve until 1966. He was in private practice in Atlanta from 1957 to 1959, and was an assistant U.S. Attorney of the Northern District of Georgia from 1959 to 1961, returning to private practice in Atlanta until 1970. He was also a special hearing officer for the U.S. Department of Justice from 1962 to 1968.

On October 7, 1970, O'Kelley was nominated by President Richard Nixon to a new seat on the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia created by 84 Stat. 294. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on October 13, 1970, and received his commission on October 16, 1970. He was assigned as a judge on the U.S. Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court from 1980 to 1987, and was chief judge of the Northern District of Georgia from 1988 to 1994. He assumed senior status on October 1, 1996.