Jackson L. Kiser

Jackson L. Kiser (June 24, 1929 – October 21, 2020) was an American attorney and jurist who served as a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia. Early life and education Born in Welch, West Virginia, Kiser earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Concord College in 1951 and a Bachelor of Laws from Washington and Lee University School of Law in 1952. Career He served as an attorney for the Judge Advocate General's Corps from 1952 to 1955. Afterward, he served as a captain in the United States Army Reserve from 1955 to 1961. Later, he was a United States commissioner for the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia from 1956 to 1958. He then worked as an assistant United States Attorney of the Western District of Virginia from 1958 to 1961. He was in private practice in Martinsville, Virginia, from 1961 to 1982. Federal judicial service On November 4, 1981, President Ronald Reagan nominated Kiser to a new seat on the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia created by 92 Stat. 1629. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on December 3, 1981, and received his commission the same day. He served as Chief Judge from 1993 to 1997. He assumed senior status on April 30, 1997, and relocated his chambers from Roanoke, Virginia to Danville, Virginia. Kiser died October 21, 2020, after a brief illness.