Gov. Phil Bredesen today named Cornelia “Connie” Clark to serve as the newest justice of the Tennessee Supreme Court, where she will fill a vacancy created by the retirement of Justice Frank Drowota.
“Each day in her work, Judge Clark displays the qualities required in a Supreme Court justice. She’s knowledgeable of the law, hard-working, articulate, and always conducts herself with the highest of moral standards,” Bredesen said. “I’m confident that in Judge Clark we’ve chosen the best person to fill this important position.”
Clark has served since May 1999 as director of the Tennessee Administrative Office of the Courts, where she managed a $90 million annual budget and supervised activities assigned by the Tennessee Supreme Court and the state’s General Assembly. Prior to that, she served as circuit judge for the 21st Judicial District. From 1979-1989, Clark practiced law as a partner with the Nashville firm of Farris, Warfield & Kanaday (now Stites & Harbison).
“I am honored that Governor Bredesen has selected me to serve the people of Tennessee in this position that holds such a high degree of public trust,” Clark said. “I promise to discharge my duties to the best of my ability and to always put the public good first in my work.”
Clark, 55, holds a bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt University and a master’s degree in teaching from Harvard University. She earned her law degree from Vanderbilt School of Law, where she also served ten years as an adjunct professor. She is a member of the board of directors of the Conference of State Court Administrators and a faculty member of the National Judicial College. Clark is also a member of the Williamson County, Tennessee and American Bar Associations.
Clark, a native of Williamson County, has served as a faculty member of the American Academy of Judicial Education, as a member of the Nashville Bar Association’s Board of Directors and as chairman of the Tennessee Bar Foundation. As a judge, Clark served as vice president of the Tennessee Judicial Conference and as Dean of the Tennessee Judicial Academy.
Justice Drowota, who retired from the Tennessee Supreme Court this month, served from 1980-2005 as Associate Justice.