MEMBER CENTER
The Justice Frank F. Drowota III Outstanding Judicial Service Award is given to a judge or judicial branch official of a federal, state or local court in Tennessee who has demonstrated extraordinary devotion and dedication to the improvement of the law, our legal system and the administration of justice as exemplified by the career of Justice Frank F. Drowota, III. It need not be given every year. The Executive Committee of the Tennessee Bar Association Board of Governors chooses the recipient based on nominations received.
Award Recipients
2006: Hon. Frank F. Drowota III, former Tennessee Supreme Court Chief Justice, Nashville
2007: Lance Bracy, former Chief Disciplinary Counsel, Tennessee Board of Professional Responsibility, Nashville
2008: Hon. William M. Barker, former Tennessee Supreme Court Justice, Chattanooga
2009: Hon. Herschel P. Franks, Tennessee Court of Appeals Judge, Eastern Section, Chattanooga
2010: Hon. Barbara Haynes, Davidson County Circuit Court Judge, Nashville
2011: Hon. John J. Maddux Jr., 13th Judicial District Circuit Court Judge, Cookeville
2012: Hon. Robert L. "Butch" Childers, 30th Judicial District Circuit Court Judge, Memphis
2013: Hon. Janice M. Holder, former Tennessee Supreme Court Justice, Memphis
2014: Hon. Gary Wade, Tennessee Supreme Court Justice, Sevierville
2015: Hon. James F. Butler, 26th Judicial District Chancery Court Judge, Jackson
2016: Hon. William Joseph Haynes Jr., Judge, U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee, Nashville
2017: Hon. Charles D. Susano Jr., Tennessee Court of Appeals Judge, Knoxville
2018: Hon. Cornelia A. Clark, Tennessee Supreme Court Justice, Franklin
2019: Hon. William C. Koch Jr., former Tennessee Supreme Court Justice; Nashville School of Law Dean
2020: Hon. Jeffrey S. Bivins, Tennessee Supreme Court Justice
2021: Hon. Pamela L. Reeves, former Chief Judge, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee, Knoxville (presented posthumously)
2022: Hon. James G. Martin, 21st Judicial District Circuit Court Judge, Franklin
2023: Hon. Sharon G. Lee, Tennessee Supreme Court Justice
2024: Hon. Holly Kirby, Tennessee Supreme Court Chief Justice