---
title: "W. Mark Ward | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/w-mark-ward-tn-senior-judge-statewide"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-08-02"
---

# W. Mark Ward

Tennessee Senior Judges · Senior Judge

## Profile

- Court: Tennessee Senior Judges
- State: Tennessee
- Role: Senior Judge
- Service status: senior
- Last verified: 2026-07-26

## Summary

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

## Biography

### Professional career

- Senior Judge (2023–present) – Appointed by the Tennessee Supreme Court to assist statewide with docket backlogs and judicial recusals
- University of Memphis School of Law, Adjunct Professor of Criminal Procedure (2000-2025)
- Criminal Court Judge, 30th Judicial District (2004–2022) – Served nearly two decades on the criminal bench in Shelby County
- Assistant Shelby County Public Defender (1983-2004)
- Law Clerk, Court of Criminal Appeals

### Education

- UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS Other 1998
- UNIVERSITY OF MEMPHIS Law School 1978

### Additional information

- He currently serves as a Senior Judge, a role to which he was appointed for a four‐year term beginning June 1, 2023
- Year Elected/Appointed: 2023
- Private Practice (1981-1997)
- Well‐known Tennessee jurist with decades of experience in criminal law.

## 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

### media coverage and recording

Scope: 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.

Evidence excerpt: 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](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/supreme-court/rules/supreme-court-rules/rule-30-media-guidelines)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### recording restrictions

Scope: statewide

Tennessee Rule 30 prohibits media coverage of jury selection, jurors, closed proceedings, and certain minor or juvenile-court participants.

Evidence excerpt: Media coverage of jury selection is prohibited.

[Rule 30: Media Guidelines](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/supreme-court/rules/supreme-court-rules/rule-30-media-guidelines)
Source checked: 2026-07-26

### remote technology

Scope: 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.

Evidence excerpt: 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](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/supreme-court/rules/supreme-court-rules/rule-55-use-technology-court-proceedings)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/judges/w-mark-ward-retired-2022)
- [Official roster](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/judges/w-mark-ward-retired-2022)
- [Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts official judicial roster](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/judges/w-mark-ward-retired-2022)
- [Rule 30: Media Guidelines](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/supreme-court/rules/supreme-court-rules/rule-30-media-guidelines)
- [Rule 55: Use of Technology for Court Proceedings](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/supreme-court/rules/supreme-court-rules/rule-55-use-technology-court-proceedings)
- [W. Mark Ward](https://www.tncourts.gov/courts/judges/w-mark-ward-retired-2022)

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