Frank Drowota facts for kids
Frank F. Drowota III (born July 7, 1938 – died April 15, 2018) was a very important judge in Tennessee. He served as the chief justice of the Tennessee Supreme Court, which is the highest court in the state.
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Early Life and Education
Frank F. Drowota III was born in Williamsburg, Kentucky. When he was a young boy, his family moved to Nashville, Tennessee. He went to Montgomery Bell Academy and finished school there in 1956.
After high school, he went to Vanderbilt University. He studied history and political science and earned his degree in 1960. After college, Drowota joined the United States Navy. He served actively from 1960 to 1962.
He then went back to Vanderbilt to study law. He earned his law degree in 1965. He also served in the United States Navy Reserve. In the Navy Reserve, he worked as a lawyer in the Judge Advocate General's Corps. This means he was a lawyer for the military.
Becoming a Judge
After law school, Frank Drowota worked as a lawyer in Nashville. He practiced law until 1970. That year, he was elected as a judge for the Davidson County Chancery Court. This court handles certain types of legal cases.
In 1974, he was promoted to the Tennessee Court of Appeals. This court reviews decisions made by lower courts. Then, in 1980, he was elected to the Tennessee Supreme Court. This is the highest court in Tennessee. He filled a spot that became open when a previous justice passed away.
Serving on the Supreme Court
Frank Drowota won his election to the Supreme Court. He was then re-elected three more times. He served full eight-year terms in 1982, 1990, and 1998.
While on the Supreme Court, his fellow judges chose him to be the chief justice two times. The chief justice is the main leader of the Supreme Court.
Honored for Service
In 2006, the Tennessee Bar Association created a special award. It was named "The Justice Frank F. Drowota III Outstanding Judicial Service Award." This award honors a Tennessee judge who has shown great service to the legal community. Justice Drowota was the very first person to receive this award.
The same year, Drowota retired from his position. He then helped lead a committee for the Tennessee Bar Association. This committee worked to make sure that judicial campaigns were fair and ethical. He even created a set of rules for judges running for office. He personally talked to judges and candidates to encourage them to follow these rules.
Later Life and Legacy
After retiring, Frank Drowota continued to be involved in his community. He served as a trustee for several important organizations. These included the Frist Foundation, Montgomery Bell Academy, and the Nashville School of Law. In 2007, he became a leader for the YMCA of Middle Tennessee.
Frank Drowota passed away in Nashville on April 15, 2018. He was 79 years old. He is remembered for his long and dedicated service as a judge in Tennessee.
Sources
- Tennessee Blue Book, 1991–94 and 2005-06 editions
