Timothy E. Irwin at a glance
- Current role
- Juvenile Court Judge
- Jurisdiction
- Tennessee · State
- Judicial service
- Active
Timothy E. Irwin
Juvenile Court Judge · Tennessee Juvenile Court, Knox County
Biography
Professional career
- In 2024, a former Knox County Juvenile Court magistrate judge, Robin Gunn, filed a federal lawsuit against Judge Irwin and a family services supervisor, alleging discrimination and violations of parents’ constitutional rights in juvenile court proceedings.
- Notable for his unique career trajectory from professional football to law and juvenile justice
- As a long-serving Knox County Juvenile Court judge, he has been recognized for his contributions to youth rehabilitation, community engagement, and legal service, while also being involved in ongoing legal scrutiny related to court administration
Education
Additional information
- In 2000, he opened his own law office.
- He completed studies at Knoxville Central High School in 1976 and attended the University of Tennessee, where he excelled in football, earning All-Southeastern Conference and Academic All-American honors.
- Timothy Edward Irwin was born on December 13, 1958.
- Following law school, Irwin practiced law in Knoxville, Tennessee
- focusing on criminal defense, juvenile justice, personal injury, and sports law.
- He also served on the Board of Governors for the Knoxville Bar Association and participated in the Tennessee Juvenile Court Judges Executive Committee
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 Juvenile Court, Knox County
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 July 26, 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 ↗