Joseph K. Coffey was born in 1970 in Manning.  He is the son of the Honorable William C. Coffey, Jr. and Elizabeth K. Coffey.  Judge Coffey is married to Katherine S. Coffey, and they have two children:  Merrix R. Coffey and Walker K. Coffey.

Judge Coffey received his B.A. degree from The Citadel in 1992, and his J.D. Degree from the University of South Carolina in 1999; Judge Coffey was admitted to the South Carolina Bar in 2000 and is a partner in the law firm of Coffey & McKenzie, P.A. of Manning.

Judge Coffey is an active member of the Manning Rotary Club, Citadel Club of Sumter and Clarendon, NBSC Advisory Board, Manning United Methodist Church and serves on the Board of Trustees for Garden City Chapel.