--- title: "Clara W. Byrd | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/clara-w-byrd-tn-circuit-court-judge-jackson-macon-smith-trousdale-wilson" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-07" --- # Clara W. Byrd Tennessee Circuit Court, Judicial District 15 (Jackson, Macon, Smith, Trousdale, Wilson) · Circuit Court Judge ## Profile - Court: Tennessee Circuit Court, Judicial District 15 (Jackson, Macon, Smith, Trousdale, Wilson) - State: Tennessee - Role: Circuit Court Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-26 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - as a Sunday school teacher, pianist, and bulletin editor ### Education - NASHVILLE SCHOOL OF LAW Law School 1982 - THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE-CHATTANOOGA Undergraduate 1977 ### Additional information - , serving since her election in 1998 and re‐elected in 2006, 2014, and 2022 - Circuit Court Judge for Tennessee’s 15th Judicial District, serving since 1998, with jurisdiction over Jackson, Macon, Smith, Trousdale, and Wilson counties - She was unopposed in the 2014 general election - J.D. in 1982 - B.A. in 1977 - Attorney, General Civil and Family Law - Before joining the bench, Byrd practiced law in general civil and family law - Biography of Judge Clara W. Byrd - After law school, Byrd practiced - in private practice before her election to the bench - Alabama - and raised throughout the South, Byrd’s father was a Baptist minister who worked in Mississippi, Florida, Louisiana, and Georgia - Her academic qualifications include her - and her - domestic relations, civil litigation, estate, and probate law - The district covers - Lebanon & Mount Juliet Chamber of Commerce - Lebanon Business - Cedar Grove Baptist Church - Byrd enjoys - boating and gardening - when not on the court - She and her husband, Bob, share their home with three dogs and two cats - Official court information ## 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.tncourts.gov/courts/circuit-criminal-chancery-courts/judges/clara-w-byrd) - [Official roster](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/circuit-criminal-chancery-courts/judges/clara-w-byrd) - [Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/circuit-criminal-chancery-courts/judges/clara-w-byrd) - [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) - [Clara W. Byrd | Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts](https://tncourts.gov/courts/circuit-criminal-chancery-courts/judges/clara-w-byrd) - [Clara W. Byrd](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/circuit-criminal-chancery-courts/judges/clara-w-byrd) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/clara-w-byrd-tn-circuit-court-judge-jackson-macon-smith-trousdale-wilson", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/clara-w-byrd-tn-circuit-court-judge-jackson-macon-smith-trousdale-wilson", "name": "Clara W. Byrd | KnowJudges", "description": "Clara W. Byrd, Tennessee Circuit Court, Judicial District 15 (Jackson, Macon, Smith, Trousdale, Wilson). 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