--- title: "Robert W. Clifford | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/robert-w-clifford-4611" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-10-09" --- # Robert W. Clifford Maine Supreme Judicial Court · ret-act-jus ## Profile - Court: Maine Supreme Judicial Court - State: Maine - Role: ret-act-jus - Service status: former - Last verified: 2026-08-22 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - The collected biographical information identifies continued retired-justice service through 2024 and court advisory work involving criminal procedure and lawyer assistance - American lawyer, politician, and retired Associate Justice of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court, serving from August 1, 1986, until his retirement on August 31, 2009 - Superior Court service began in 1979; he was chief justice in 1984–1986 - Before joining the Supreme Judicial Court, Clifford held the role of Chief Justice of the Maine Superior Court (1984–1986) and as a Justice of the Superior Court (1979–1984) ### Education - cites Lewiston High School (1955), Bowdoin College B.A. (1959), Boston College Law School J.D. (1962) and University of Virginia LL.M. in Judicial Process (1998). ### Additional information - ret-act-jus, Supreme Judicial Court of Maine, 2009-present - Robert William Clifford served on Maine’s Supreme Judicial Court from 1986 to 2009, initially appointed by Joseph Brennan and reappointed in 1993, 2000 and 2007. - Practitioner, 1985-1985 - legis, 1985-1985 - Public service included Lewiston alderman (1968–1970), mayor (1971–1973), Maine senator (1973–1977), charter-commission chair (1978–1979) and work revising probate laws. - He was also Mayor of Lewiston (1971–1973) and served on the Lewiston Board of Aldermen - Served in the U.S. Army in Germany in 1962–1964, attaining captain. - Born May 2, 1937, Lewiston, Maine. - Date of birth: 1937-05-02 - Practiced law in Lewiston-Auburn for 15 years with Clifford & Clifford - Practiced at Clifford & Clifford in Lewiston–Auburn for about fifteen years. - Birth place: Lewiston ## 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 ### cameras audio recording Scope: statewide Maine Administrative Order JB-05-15 bars cameras and audio recording equipment in the courtroom unless coverage has been authorized under the order. Evidence excerpt: No cameras or audio recording equipment shall be allowed in the courtroom unless coverage of any events or proceeding has been authorized pursuant to this order. [JB-05-15 Cameras and Audio Recording in the Courts](https://www.courts.maine.gov/adminorders/jb-05-15.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### judicial discretion Scope: statewide Maine authorizes trial and appellate judicial officers to consider camera and recording coverage and permit it in their sole discretion if court integrity will not be adversely affected. Evidence excerpt: authorized to consider camera and recording coverage, and to permit it in their sole discretion if the integrity of the court proceedings will not be adversely affected. [JB-05-15 Cameras and Audio Recording in the Courts](https://www.courts.maine.gov/adminorders/jb-05-15.pdf) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/4611/robert-w-clifford/) - [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/4611/robert-w-clifford/) - [Maine Supreme Judicial Court current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/4611/robert-w-clifford/) - [JB-05-15 Cameras and Audio Recording in the Courts](https://www.courts.maine.gov/adminorders/jb-05-15.pdf) - [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/4611/robert-w-clifford/) - ["Clifford, Robert oral history interview" by Marisa Burnham-Bestor](https://scarab.bates.edu/muskie_oh/88) - [Wikidata: Robert W. Clifford](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7350655) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/robert-w-clifford-4611", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/robert-w-clifford-4611", "name": "Robert W. Clifford | KnowJudges", "description": "Robert W. Clifford, Maine Supreme Judicial Court. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.", "dateModified": "2026-10-09", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/robert-w-clifford-4611#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/robert-w-clifford-4611#judge", "name": "Robert W. 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