Walter A. Griess was born August 29, 1949 in Cincinnati, Ohio and graduated from Withrow High School in Cincinnati in 1967. He received a B.A. degree in English from the University of Alabama in 1971 and graduated from the University of Alabama School of Law, receiving the J.D. degree in 1974. At UA, he was a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity.
From 1975 to 1976, Walter was an Assistant city Attorney for the City of Birmingham, Alabama. In 1976, he relocated to Eutaw, Alabama, and began a private practice. In addition to his civil practice, he also served as County Solicitor for Greene County and Assistant District Attorney for the 17th Judicial Circuit from 1977 to 1992.
In 1997, he formed the law firm of Griess & Shaw, P.C. with David T. Shaw, which became Griess, Shaw & Willingham P.C. in 2015 with the addition of partner Zane L. Willingham.
Walter is a former President of the 17th Judicial Circuit Bar Association, and is a member of the Alabama Bar Association, Farrah Law Society and the Alabama Criminal Defense Lawyers Association. He is also a former Adjunct Faculty Member at the University of Alabama School of Law where he taught Trial Advocacy. In 2003, Mr. Griess attended the National Institute for Trial Advocacy at Harvard Law School.
Walter is a former executive vice president of the University of Alabama Alumni Association, and a member of the Denny Society at UA.
Walter is married to Chan Griess. They are members of St. Stephens Episcopal Church. In his spare time he enjoys traveling, good music and good food.
Walter A. Griess is a member of the Alabama State Bar (1975) and Georgia State Bar (1987), and is licensed to practice before the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama.
