---
title: "C. Clifford Shirley Jr. | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/c-clifford-shirley-jr-9547"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-08-02"
---

# C. Clifford Shirley Jr.

U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee · Magistrate

## Profile

- Court: U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee
- State: Tennessee
- Role: Magistrate
- Service status: former
- Last verified: 2026-06-30

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Biography

### Professional career

- U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Eastern District of Tennessee, serving from February 13, 2002, until his retirement on February 12, 2018
- As a magistrate judge, Shirley handled pretrial matters, motions, and certain civil and criminal cases in the Eastern District of Tennessee
- Shirley’s career combined private legal practice, academic service, and judicial service, and he is remembered for his work in complex civil cases and for upholding court integrity through sanctions in high-profile misconduct cases
- He later held the role of an adjunct professor at the University of Tennessee College of Law
- District Judge Curtis Collier later reprimanded Bell and ordered him to lecture on legal ethics at Tennessee law schools and bar associations

### Education

- Shirley earned his B.A. from David Lipscomb College in 1974 and his J.D. from the University of Tennessee College of Law in 1977.

### Additional information

- Magistrate, District Court, E.D. Tennessee, 2002-present
- One of his most publicized decisions was the 2010 lawyer contempt case involving Knoxville attorney James A.H. Bell.
- Before joining the judiciary, he practiced law for 25 years, including 16 years at the Knoxville firm Lowe, Shirley & Yeager.
- His work included notable rulings, such as in Brina Fitzg. v. [Defendants], where he recommended and the court adopted an award of $8,206.57 in attorneys’ fees and costs for plaintiffs

## Before you appear

- Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed.
- Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance.
- Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding.

## Courtroom Rules

### media coverage and recording

Scope: statewide

Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 30 allows media coverage of public judicial proceedings subject to the presiding judge's control and requires written media requests at least two business days before the proceeding unless waived.

Evidence excerpt: Requests by representatives of the media for such coverage must be made in writing to the presiding judge not less than two (2) business days before the proceeding is scheduled to begin.

[Rule 30: Media Guidelines](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/supreme-court/rules/supreme-court-rules/rule-30-media-guidelines)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### recording restrictions

Scope: statewide

Tennessee Rule 30 prohibits media coverage of jury selection, jurors, closed proceedings, and certain minor or juvenile-court participants.

Evidence excerpt: Media coverage of jury selection is prohibited.

[Rule 30: Media Guidelines](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/supreme-court/rules/supreme-court-rules/rule-30-media-guidelines)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### remote technology

Scope: statewide

Tennessee Supreme Court Rule 55 permits teleconferencing, video conferencing, or other technology for court proceedings at the discretion of the trial or appellate court.

Evidence excerpt: The use of teleconferencing, video conferencing or other technology to conduct court proceedings or other court business remotely is permissible at the discretion of the trial or appellate court.

[Rule 55: Use of Technology for Court Proceedings](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/supreme-court/rules/supreme-court-rules/rule-55-use-technology-court-proceedings)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/9547/c-clifford-shirley-jr/)
- [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/9547/c-clifford-shirley-jr/)
- [U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/9547/c-clifford-shirley-jr/)
- [Rule 30: Media Guidelines](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/supreme-court/rules/supreme-court-rules/rule-30-media-guidelines)
- [Rule 55: Use of Technology for Court Proceedings](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/supreme-court/rules/supreme-court-rules/rule-55-use-technology-court-proceedings)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/9547/c-clifford-shirley-jr/)

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