Walter obtained his B.A. degree in political science in 1978 from the University of California at Davis and his J.D. from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law in 1983. Walter is a member of the State Bar of California, County Bar of Sacramento, has been a judicial arbitrator in Sacramento, El Dorado and Placer counties as well as a pro tem settlement conference judge in Sacramento and El Dorado County Superior Courts and the United States District Court, Eastern District of California.

He is a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, Anthony M. Kennedy American Inn of Court, California Association of Black Lawyers, Wiley Manuel Bar Association and the Sacramento County Bar Association Minority Hiring Task Force. Walter has been admitted to practice in all the courts of the State of California and the United States District Court, Eastern District of California. His practice areas include accident litigation, construction litigation, professional liability litigation, employment law, products liability and environmental law.