---
title: "David Kennedy | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/david-kennedy-tn-juvenile-court-magistrate-wilson"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-08-02"
---

# David Kennedy

Tennessee Juvenile Court, Wilson County · Juvenile Court Magistrate

## Profile

- Court: Tennessee Juvenile Court, Wilson County
- State: Tennessee
- Role: Juvenile Court Magistrate
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-07-26

## Summary

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

## Biography

### Professional career

- Wilson County Juvenile Court Magistrate — As of 2021, Kennedy joined the Wilson County Juvenile Court in Lebanon, Tennessee, where he continued to serve the community in juvenile justice matters
- David S. Kennedy was a distinguished jurist with a long career in the Tennessee judiciary, most recently serving as a U.S. Bankruptcy Judge for the Western District of Tennessee and, more recently, as a magistrate in the Wilson County Juvenile Court
- U.S. Bankruptcy Judge (Western District of Tennessee, Memphis) — Kennedy held the role of Chief Judge of the Bankruptcy Court in Memphis for over three decades, a role in which he was widely respected for his mentorship and dedication to bankruptcy law

### Education



### Additional information

- Year Elected/Appointed: 2021
- His court was the first bankruptcy courtroom many attorneys and legal professionals encountered, and he was known for his willingness to share legal knowledge and guidance with those in the field
- Memorial donations were directed to the Bankruptcy Achievement Award Fund in his name

## 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/juvenile-family-courts/judges/david-kennedy)
- [Official roster](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/juvenile-family-courts/judges/david-kennedy)
- [Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/juvenile-family-courts/judges/david-kennedy)
- [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)
- [David Kennedy](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/juvenile-family-courts/judges/david-kennedy)

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## Published courtroom rules

### Shared court rules

- [Rule 30: Media Guidelines](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-c1debbfd57a23e78c6318aec) — Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim.  Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory. [Official source](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/supreme-court/rules/supreme-court-rules/rule-30-media-guidelines). Collected 2026-07-26.
