For Immediate Release

February 1, 2008 

             WASHINGTON, D.C.–Donald F. Walton has been appointed by the Attorney General as the United States Trustee for Georgia, Florida, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands (Region 21), Clifford J. White III, Director of the Executive Office for United States Trustees, announced today. Mr. Walton’s appointment takes effect today.

             “I am delighted at Don Walton’s appointment as U.S. Trustee for Region 21, as he represents the very best of public service,” Mr. White stated. “Over the years, the U.S. Trustee Program has benefitted immeasurably from his outstanding legal and management skills. I look forward to working with him as he leads this important region.”

             Mr. Walton was appointed Acting U.S. Trustee for Region 21 on September 1, 2007, while also serving as Acting Principal Deputy Director of the Executive Office for U.S. Trustees in Washington, D.C. Mr. Walton joined the U.S. Trustee Program (Program) in 1987 as Assistant U.S. Trustee in Atlanta after working for 11 years as an associate, and then partner, with an Atlanta law firm. He continued as Regional Assistant U.S. Trustee in Atlanta while also serving the Program in a variety of special assignments. In 1992 he received the Attorney General’s Award for Distinguished Service and 2001 he received the Director’s Award for Distinguished Service.

             Mr. Walton received his undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1968. He was commissioned as an ensign in the U.S. Navy Reserve and served three years active duty. He received his law degree cum laude in 1974 from the University of Georgia’s Lumpkin School of Law. Immediately afterward, he clerked for the Honorable James C. Hill, Judge, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia and U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

             The U.S. Trustee Program is the component of the Justice Department that protects the integrity of the bankruptcy system by overseeing case administration and litigating to enforce the bankruptcy laws. The Program has 21 regions and 95 field offices. Region 21 is headquartered in Atlanta with additional offices in Macon and Savannah, Ga.; Miami, Orlando, Tallahassee, and Tampa, Fla.; and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Contact:              Jane Limprecht, Public Information Officer 

                          Executive Office for U.S. Trustees 

                          (202) 305-7411

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