---
title: "Thomas M. Coffin | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/thomas-m-coffin-9492"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-08"
---

# Thomas M. Coffin

U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon · Magistrate

## Profile

- Court: U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon
- State: Oregon
- Role: Magistrate
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-06-30

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Biography

### Professional career

- Retired U.S. federal magistrate judge for the United States District Court for the District of Oregon, serving from 1992 until his retirement on February 25, 2016
- Also held the role of Senior Litigation Counsel for the U.S. Department of Justice (1984)
- Key fact: Thomas M. Coffin’s career spanned over four decades in federal law enforcement and judicial service, combining prosecutorial experience with a long tenure as a magistrate judge in Oregon

### Education


### Additional information

- Magistrate, District Court, D. Oregon, 1992-present
- Judge Coffin was recognized for his judicial service and was honored with a portrait unveiling at the Wayne Morse Federal Courthouse in Eugene, Oregon, in 2023.
- He was succeeded by Judge Jolie Russo upon retirement

## 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

### electronic devices recording

Scope: statewide

Oregon OJD guidance under UTCR 3.180 requires advance permission from the judge or court designee before electronic notes, courtroom recording, or electronic transmission from the courtroom.

Evidence excerpt: you need advance permission from the judge or court designee before you

[Oregon Judicial Department: Media Coverage at the Courts](https://www.courts.oregon.gov/news/pages/covering-courts.aspx)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### recording limits

Scope: statewide

Oregon OJD guidance lists proceedings and materials where recording is not allowed, including juvenile cases, many family-law cases, voir dire, private conversations, jurors, and recesses.

Evidence excerpt: Recording is never allowed for

[Oregon Judicial Department: Media Coverage at the Courts](https://www.courts.oregon.gov/news/pages/covering-courts.aspx)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### remote hearing platform

Scope: statewide

Oregon OJD states that remote hearings use Webex and that the court provides case participants with the link to join the hearing.

Evidence excerpt: The court uses Webex to host these remote hearings and will provide case participants with the link to join the hearing.

[Oregon Judicial Department: Remote Hearings](https://www.courts.oregon.gov/services/online/Pages/RemoteHearings.aspx)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### remote public access

Scope: statewide

Oregon OJD explains that eligible remote hearings may be live-streamed for public viewing through Webex Events, subject to limitations and court access instructions.

Evidence excerpt: If the remote hearing is eligible for public viewing, it will be live-streamed through Webex Events

[Oregon Judicial Department: Remote Hearings](https://www.courts.oregon.gov/services/online/Pages/RemoteHearings.aspx)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### livestream access

Scope: statewide

Oregon OJD publishes live stream access instructions and states that live streaming begins shortly before scheduled proceedings.

Evidence excerpt: Live streaming of proceedings begins approximately five minutes before the scheduled proceeding time.

[Oregon Judicial Department: Live Stream Proceedings](https://www.courts.oregon.gov/services/online/Pages/live-stream.aspx)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/9492/thomas-m-coffin/)
- [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/9492/thomas-m-coffin/)
- [U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/9492/thomas-m-coffin/)
- [Oregon Judicial Department: Media Coverage at the Courts](https://www.courts.oregon.gov/news/pages/covering-courts.aspx)
- [Oregon Judicial Department: Remote Hearings](https://www.courts.oregon.gov/services/online/Pages/RemoteHearings.aspx)
- [Oregon Judicial Department: Live Stream Proceedings](https://www.courts.oregon.gov/services/online/Pages/live-stream.aspx)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/9492/thomas-m-coffin/)

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## Published courtroom rules

### Shared court rules

- [Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, December 1, 2025](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-651872d6e45e0d82319ecccc) — Civil actions in United States District Courts; Rule 81 exceptions apply. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule. [Official source](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-civil-procedure.pdf). Collected 2026-10-27.
- [Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, December 1, 2025](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-8721a344fececced2257fe1d) — Criminal proceedings in United States District Courts; this conservative mapping does not distribute appellate-specific provisions to appellate judges. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule. [Official source](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-criminal-procedure.pdf). Collected 2026-10-27.
