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A resolution honoring the life of Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Cornelia A. Clark.
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WHEREAS, Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Cornelia A. “Connie” Clark recently passed away after a short battle with cancer; and
WHEREAS, Justice Clark was born in Franklin, Tennessee, and later moved with her family to Atlanta, Georgia; and
WHEREAS, after high school, Justice Clark attended Vanderbilt University, where she received a Bachelor of Arts, and Harvard University, where she earned a Master of Arts; and
WHEREAS, in 1979, she received her Juris Doctor from Vanderbilt University School of Law and began her legal career in private practice. She became the first woman to be a partner with the former firm of Farris, Warfield & Kanaday. She also served as city attorney for the City of Franklin; and
WHEREAS, in 1989, Governor Ned McWherter appointed Justice Clark to the trial bench covering the 21st Judicial District of Williamson, Hickman, Perry, and Lewis counties. She was the first woman trial judge to serve rural counties in Tennessee; and
WHEREAS, from 1999 to 2005, prior to joining the Supreme Court, Justice Clark was the director of the Administrative Office of the Courts; and
WHEREAS, Justice Clark was first appointed to the Tennessee Supreme Court in 2005 by Governor Phil Bredesen, and was retained by voters in 2006 and 2014. She served as chief justice from 2010 until 2012; and
WHEREAS, Justice Clark had a significant impact on the community and received many prestigious recognitions including the Janice M. Holder Access to Justice Award, from the Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services; the Tennessee Bar Association’s Justice Frank F. Drowota III Outstanding Judicial Service Award; the Vanderbilt University School of Law Distinguished Service Award; the Judge Martha Craig Daughtrey Award from the Lawyers’ Association for Women - Marion Griffin Chapter; and the Pioneer Award from Vision 2020; and
WHEREAS, Justice Clark was a trailblazer and beloved member of the legal community. She had the longest tenure of any justice currently serving on the Tennessee Supreme Court and heard over 1,1000 cases. She was known for her precise and detailed legal analysis and writing style; and
WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that the Metropolitan Council honor the life of Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Cornelia A. Clark and recognize her immeasurable contributions to Nashville and the entire state of Tennessee.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1. That the Metropolitan Council hereby goes on record as honoring the life of Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Cornelia A. Clark
Section 2. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.