---
title: "Cornelia A. Clark | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/cornelia-a-clark-5715"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-08-22"
---

# Cornelia A. Clark

Supreme Court of Tennessee · Judge

## Profile

- Court: Supreme Court of Tennessee
- State: Tennessee
- Role: Judge
- Service status: former
- Last verified: 2026-08-22

## Summary

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

## Biography

### Professional career

- Judge, Tennessee Supreme Court, 2005-present
- Justice Clark died September 24, 2021, at age 71 after a short battle with cancer.
- Cornelia Anne “Connie” Clark (1950–2021) was an American jurist and judge who served on the Tennessee Supreme Court from 2005 until her death in 2021, including a term as Chief Justice from 2010 to 2012
- 1989–1999: Appointed by Governor Ned McWherter as circuit judge for Tennessee’s 21st Judicial District (Williamson, Hickman, Perry, Lewis counties), becoming the first woman trial judge in rural Tennessee counties
- Justice Clark served for ten years as an adjunct professor at the Vanderbilt University School of Law and served on the faculty of the Nashville School of Law
- Before joining the bench, she taught high school and served as Franklin City Attorney

### Education

- She received a Master of Arts in Teaching from Harvard University in 1972 and later a J.D. from Vanderbilt Law School in 1979.
- B.A. in sociology from Vanderbilt University in 1971.

### Additional information

- She received multiple awards, including the Liberty Bell Award from the Williamson County Bar Association and the Pioneer Award from Vision 2020
- Practitioner, 2004-2004
- prof, 2004-2004
- Date of birth: 1950-09-15
- Known for precise legal analysis, detailed writing, and active participation in oral arguments.
- Her tenure was the longest among justices then serving
- She mentored numerous judges and was remembered for her kindness, work ethic, and dedication to the Tennessee judicial system Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts
- Harvard Graduate School of Education
- Clark was active in judicial and professional organizations, including the Tennessee Lawyers’ Association for Women, Nashville Bar Association, and the National Association of Women Judges.
- She was honored as a member of the Tennessee judicial family for over 30 years
- Birth place: Franklin

## 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/5715/cornelia-a-clark/)
- [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/5715/cornelia-a-clark/)
- [Supreme Court of Tennessee current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/5715/cornelia-a-clark/)
- [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/5715/cornelia-a-clark/)
- [Judiciary Mourns Loss Of Justice Cornelia Clark](https://www.tncourts.gov/press/2021/09/24/judiciary-mourns-loss-justice-cornelia-clark)
- [Wikidata: Cornelia A. Clark](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5171145)

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