| Karl Spillman Forester | |
| Office: | Senior Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky |
| Term Start: | May 2, 2005 |
| Term End: | March 29, 2014 |
| Office1: | Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky |
| Term Start1: | 2001 |
| Term End1: | 2005 |
| Predecessor1: | Henry Rupert Wilhoit Jr. |
| Successor1: | Joseph Martin Hood |
| Office2: | Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky |
| Term Start2: | July 27, 1988 |
| Term End2: | May 2, 2005 |
| Appointer2: | Ronald Reagan |
| Predecessor2: | Seat established by 71 Stat. 586 |
| Successor2: | Gregory F. Van Tatenhove |
| Birth Name: | Karl Spillman Forester |
| Birth Date: | 2 May 1940 |
| Birth Place: | Harlan, Kentucky |
| Death Place: | Lexington, Kentucky |
| Education: | University of Kentucky (B.A.) University of Kentucky College of Law (J.D.) |
Karl Spillman Forester (May 2, 1940 – March 29, 2014) was a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky.
Born in Harlan, Kentucky,[1] Forester received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Kentucky in 1962 and a Juris Doctor from the University of Kentucky College of Law in 1966. He was in private practice in Harlan from 1966 to 1988.[2]
Forester was nominated by President Ronald Reagan on March 30, 1988, to the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, to a new seat authorized by 71 Stat. 586 following the certification of Green Wix Unthank as disabled. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on July 26, 1988, and received commission on July 27, 1988. He served as Chief Judge from 2001 to 2005. He assumed senior status on May 2, 2005. His service terminated on March 29, 2014, due to death.[2]
Forester died on March 29, 2014, in Lexington, Kentucky at the age of 73.[3]