Thomas Selby "T. S." Ellis III (May 15, 1940 – July 30, 2025) was an American jurist who served as a United States District Judge and later as a senior United States District Judge for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. Appointed by President Ronald Reagan in 1986, Ellis brought a background in private legal practice to the bench, having earned degrees from Princeton University and Yale Law School, clerked for Judge Caleb M. Wright, and worked as a litigation and antitrust partner at Crowell & Moring. He assumed senior status in 2008 and continued handling cases until his death. During his judicial tenure, Ellis presided over several high-profile cases, particularly in national security, earning a reputation for incisive questioning and conservative jurisprudence. Notably, he presided over the AIPAC espionage trial and dismissed espionage charges against Steven J. Rosen and Keith Weissman (former AIPAC lobbyists) in 2009, ruling the government's case failed to meet legal standards for classifying information as secret. He also oversaw aspects of the Paul Manafort investigation in the Mueller probe and handled complex corruption and white-collar crime trials. Known for his no-nonsense courtroom demeanor and frequent criticism of inefficiencies by both prosecutors and defense attorneys, Ellis's opinions often addressed Fourth Amendment issues and executive power. His career reflected a commitment to the rule of law in Virginia's fast-paced 'rocket docket' district, influencing discussions on classified information handling and prosecutorial discretion, though he faced some criticism for perceived leniency in political cases.