Joseph "Woody" Woodruff at a glance
- Current role
- Circuit Court Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Tennessee · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Joseph "Woody" Woodruff
Circuit Court Judge · Tennessee Circuit Court, Judicial District 21 (Williamson)
Judicial assignments
- Tennessee 21st Judicial DistrictCircuit Court Judge
Reported in the official 2025–2026 Tennessee Blue Book. Later appointments or departures may not yet appear in this edition.
Source checked October 15, 2026. Roster source
These published assignments do not certify a complete bench.
Biography
Professional career
- Partner, Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis, LLP \[1987 - 2014\]
- He held the role of a judge advocate in the U.S. Army’s Judge Advocate General’s Corps from 1981 to 1987, then became a partner at Waller Lansden Dortch & Davis in 1987
- US Army Judge Advocate General's School Advanced Course - 1986
- US Army Judge Advocate General's School Basic Course 1981
Education
- Bachelor’s degree from the University of Alabama in 1974 and a J.D. from the University of Alabama School of Law in 1981.
- University of Alabama — B.A. (1974)
- THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA Undergraduate 1974
Additional information
- He was elected to the bench on August 7, 2014
- Judge Woodruff has presided over high-profile cases, including rulings related to same-sex marriage challenges.
- In one instance, he criticized the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Obergefell v.
- Judge Joseph A. Woodruff presides over Division I of the Circuit Court in Williamson County, which handles both civil and criminal cases.
- He shares responsibility for Part I criminal cases with Judge David Veile, while non-criminal cases—including divorces, personal injury, business disputes, and contract matters—are assigned randomly among the four divisions of the Circuit Court.
- representing the 21st Judicial District, which includes Hickman, Lewis, Perry, and Williamson Counties
- Joseph A. Woodruff is a seasoned legal professional with extensive experience in both military and civilian law.
- As a Circuit Court judge, he manages a broad docket of civil and criminal cases in Williamson County, Tennessee, and is recognized for his legal expertise, professional affiliations, and community involvement
- Beyond his legal work, he has been involved with local cultural and educational organizations, including the Heritage Foundation of Franklin and Williamson County, the Nashville Shakespeare Festival, the Pull-Tight Players, and the Kids On Stage Foundation.
- He is registered as a Republican
- Judge Woodruff has been a member of the Tennessee Bar Association and the Federalist Society for Law and Public Policy.
- He has been recognized as a fellow of the Tennessee Bar Foundation, the Nashville Bar Foundation, and the Litigation Counsel of America.
Applicable Court Rules & Procedures
Recording and broadcasting
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.
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 ↗
Statewide
Tennessee Rule 30 prohibits media coverage of jury selection, jurors, closed proceedings, and certain minor or juvenile-court participants.
Media coverage of jury selection is prohibited.Rule 30: Media Guidelines ↗
Remote appearances
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.
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 ↗
Published courtroom rules
Shared court rules
Rule 30: Media Guidelines
Tennessee Circuit Court, Judicial District 21 (Williamson)
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 ↗ · Collected 2026-07-26Sources
Identity source checked July 26, 2026.
Biography sources checked August 2, 2026.
Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster ↗Rule 30: Media Guidelines
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Rule 30: Media Guidelines ↗Rule 55: Use of Technology for Court Proceedings
Statewide source · HTML · Source checked July 26, 2026
View Rule 55: Use of Technology for Court Proceedings ↗