---
title: "David R. Herndon | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/david-r-herndon-1440"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# David R. Herndon

U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois · U.S. District Judge

## Profile

- Court: U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois
- State: Illinois
- Role: U.S. District Judge
- Service status: former
- Last verified: 2026-06-30

## Summary

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

## Biography

### Professional career

- Judge, District Court, S.D. Illinois, 1998-present
- U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of Illinois, serving from 1998 until his retirement in 2019, and Chief Judge from 2007 to 2014
- He then held the role of an Associate Judge of the Third Judicial Circuit Court of Illinois (Bond and Madison Counties) from 1991 to 1998
- From 1977 to 1991, Herndon practiced law in private practice

### Education

- Southern Illinois University School of Law — J.D. (1977)
- Southern Illinois University Edwardsville — B.A. (1974)

### Additional information

- Born August 23, 1953.
- Date of birth: 1953-01-01
- handling a broad range of civil cases
- Birth place: Sedalia, MO

## 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

### recording and broadcasting

Scope: statewide

Photography, broadcasting, and recording in an Illinois courtroom are permitted only under Supreme Court authority or Rule 44's stated exceptions; participants may not record a remote proceeding unless the court directs it or extended-media coverage is approved.

Evidence excerpt: the taking of photographs in the courtroom during sessions of the court or recesses between proceedings and the broadcasting or televising of court proceedings are permitted only to the extent authorized by order of the Supreme Court

[Illinois Supreme Court Rule 44, Photography and Video in the Courtroom](https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/8db700cb-c17a-421d-8fdc-95ad22b399c9/Rule%2044.pdf)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### official record

Scope: statewide

The official record may be taken stenographically or through a Supreme Court-approved electronic recording system, including approved videoconferencing services.

Evidence excerpt: The record of court proceedings may be taken by stenographic means or by an electronic recording system, including video conferencing services, approved by the Supreme Court.

[Illinois Supreme Court Rule 46, Official Record of Court Proceedings](https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/24ad75b6-a0a0-4a9f-b44e-1cf4daa67820/Rule%2046.pdf)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/1440/david-r-herndon/)
- [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/1440/david-r-herndon/)
- [U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/1440/david-r-herndon/)
- [Illinois Supreme Court Rule 44, Photography and Video in the Courtroom](https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/8db700cb-c17a-421d-8fdc-95ad22b399c9/Rule%2044.pdf)
- [Illinois Supreme Court Rule 46, Official Record of Court Proceedings](https://ilcourtsaudio.blob.core.windows.net/antilles-resources/resources/24ad75b6-a0a0-4a9f-b44e-1cf4daa67820/Rule%2046.pdf)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/1440/david-r-herndon/)
- [Wikidata: David R. Herndon](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5238823)

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