About the Trust
Providing hope through legal services is the right thing to do, and it is a sound investment. For every dollar invested in legal aid, there is a community benefit of at least $10. For example, helping a veteran receive government benefits may prevent an eviction and ease the burden on homeless shelters, courts, and health systems.
We believe the best way to deliver these services is to help the organizations already providing direct legal services to Tennesseans. We provide funds so these providers can serve those in need with more staffing and resources focusing on issues including domestic violence and safe housing. We are volunteer-driven with an expense ratio of less than 1% (based on previous years reports) so your donation makes the maximum impact.
We believe that justice is grounded in the rule of law, fair courts, and access to justice. Legal representation is critical for meaningful access to our justice system.
Too often low-income Tennesseans cannot afford to hire a lawyer when faced with domestic violence, the loss of housing, or the denial of earned benefits. Individuals, families, seniors, children, people with disabilities, and veterans suffer the consequences of no representation and a denial of justice. One unresolved legal problem often leads to more legal problems.
Tennessee Supreme Court-Justice Janice Holder, Justice Riley Anderson, Chief Justice Frank F. Drowota, Justice Aldolpho Birch, and Justice Muecke Barker.
Justice Frank F. Drowota III served on the Tennessee Supreme Court for 25 years (1980–2005), twice as Chief Justice. A respected jurist and mentor, he participated in more than 4,500 decisions and authored over 1,000 majority opinions, earning a reputation for fairness, thoughtfulness, and steady leadership across the state’s courts.
Rooted in Nashville and devoted to community service, Justice Drowota viewed the law as a form of ministry—work done for the good of others. Beyond the bench, he invested time with local nonprofits, faith communities, and civic organizations, exemplifying integrity and public service that continue to inspire our mission today.
Justice Frank Drowota
Together, we turn caring into change.
Photo and article courtesy of Tennessee Bar Association.
Meet the Trustees
Claire Drowota shared a commitment to equal justice with her late husband, Justice Frank Drowota. A dedicated public servant and community volunteer, Claire helped create the first victim-witness program for the District Attorney General’s Office in Nashville-Davidson County. She served various roles in the Tennessee General Assembly for twenty-two years, including as Executive Director of the Select Oversight Committee on Corrections. Claire also served as staff chair to the National Conference of State Legislature’s Criminal Justice Committee, and as a member of the National Jail and Prison Overcrowding Project, the Mayor’s Crime Summit, and the U.S. Attorney General’s Summit on Corrections. In addition to her professional achievements, Claire is active in her community, serving on the Board of Directors for Renewal House, the Junior League of Nashville, Girl Scout Council of Cumberland Valley, Buddies of Nashville, YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee, and is an elder at Woodmont Christian Church where her favorite part is teaching a Sunday School Class for two-year olds.
Mrs. Frank (Claire) Drowota
Sharon Lee is Special Counsel with Brock Shipe Klenk, PLC. She is a former Chief Justice of the Tennessee Supreme Court, serving as an appellate judge for nineteen years. During her fifteen years on the Supreme Court, she was an advocate for Access to Justice. Before her service on the Court, she was in private practice in a rural county for twenty-six years. Justice Lee saw first-hand how individuals often had one legal problem that cascaded into a series of problems that impacted them and their families. Justice Lee frequently represented individuals pro bono who could not afford to hire a lawyer. She has received numerous professional and community awards for her commitment to justice for all, including the Tennessee Bar Association Justice Frank F. Drowota III Outstanding Judicial Service Award, the Knoxville Bar Association Judicial Excellence Award, Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services Lifetime Achievement Award, the Legal Aid of East Tennessee Hall of Fame inductee, the University of Tennessee Distinguished Alumna Award, and the Legal Aid of East Tennessee’s Chief Justice William M. Barker Equal Access to Justice Award.
Chief Justice Sharon Lee (ret.)
George T. "Buck" Lewis is shareholder with Baker Donelson with over 45 years experience focusing on business litigation, class actions, and appellate work. Buck served as President of the Tennessee Bar Association where he championed Access to Justice issues. He was instrumental in establishing in Tennessee and across the country Free Legal Answers, a virtual legal aid advice clinic which allows low-income persons to post civil legal questions at no cost to be answered by pro bono attorneys. Buck was also President of the Memphis Bar Foundation, Chair of the ABA Pro Bono and Public Service Committee, and Chair of the Tennessee Supreme Court Access to Justice Commission. He is the Larry Wilks Distinguished Practitioner In Residence at the University of Tennessee College of Law and co-founder of the Institute for Professional Leadership.
George T. "Buck" Lewis
Advisory Trustees
Doug Blaze is Dean and Professor Emeritus of the University of Tennessee Winston College of Law. He was an inaugural member of the Tennessee Supreme Court Access to Justice Commission and served as Chair of the Commission. Active in pro bono efforts, Doug received the Deborah Rhode Award from the Association of American Law Schools for his work in promoting pro bono and access to justice, the Bass, Berry & Sims Award for outstanding service to the bench and bar, the Harold Warner Outstanding Teacher Award, and the Carden Institutional Service Award. For his efforts to promote equal access to justice in Tennessee, he received the B. Riney Green Award. For his academic achievements, he was awarded the University of Tennessee’s Macebearer Award, the Thomas Jefferson Prize, and the UT National Alumni Association Public Service Award.
Dean Doug Blaze
An experienced litigator, Jim retired as Chief Counsel for Corporate Litigation for International Paper. The Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services awarded him the Janice M. Holder Award for his contributions to advancing the quality of justice statewide by ensuring the legal system is open and available to all. He has served as President of the Tennessee Bar Association, Board Chair for Memphis Area Legal Services, and the Community Legal Center. Jim has served for many years on the TBA’s Access to Justice Committee which he chaired for several years. He is a co-founder of TBA’s Corporate Counsel Pro Bono Initiative and has served on the TBA Board of Governors.
James “Jim” Patrick Barry
Driven by mission, committed to equal justice for all.
Our mission is to provide legal aid organizations with additional resources to help individuals and families in need, guided by the values of service, justice, and compassion.
We believe that by working together, we can create opportunities that strengthen lives and uplift communities.
The Drowota Trust, a 501(c)(3) entity, was founded with a vision to honor these values and to make a meaningful difference in people’s everyday lives.
What began as a simple commitment to serve has grown into a legacy of giving, supporting, and building hope for the future. We are dedicated to making a positive and lasting impact.
Mission & History
Who We Serve
We are committed to serving individuals and families who need legal presentation in civil cases but cannot afford to hire a lawyer. The Drowota Trust, a 501(c)(3) entity, provides supplemental funds to direct providers of legal service to enable them to serve more individuals and families in need
Together, We Can Make a Lasting Impact
Your support helps us continue building stronger communities, expanding access to justice, and creating opportunities for those who need them most. Whether through a donation or by reaching out to learn more, you can play a vital role in carrying forward our mission of service and hope.