Shelby County has officially welcomed Judge Chris Frulla to its Circuit Court as he was sworn in on Sept. 3, marking a transition from his previous work in anthropology to pursuing the family tradition of law. Frulla, who holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Anthropology from the College of Charleston. His former career involved working in private archeology, where his efforts were critical in uncovering significant artifacts and histories. In a statement obtained by Tennessee Courts, Judge Frulla recounted an experience in the Bahamas which lead to the discovery of previously unknown 18th-century burials.
Prior to his judicial appointment, Frulla had to shift his career trajectory. "I determined that while I did have a strong interest in archeology, it was not what I wanted to do for my career," he told Tennessee Courts. His decision to step into law came from both soul searching and the influence of his father, also an attorney. With over ten years of experience as a licensed attorney, he took the next step in his career by serving on the bench.
His path to the judgeship was set in motion when a vacancy opened following Judge Valerie Smith's elevation to the Tennessee Court of Appeals. Governor Bill Lee appointed Frulla to fill the position on August 28.
A significant moment on Judge Frulla’s first day in court occurred unexpectedly. "Walking out on the bench the first day, to my surprise, my father was sitting in the gallery," Frulla said, capturing the moment he spotted his father in attendance, as reported by Tennessee Courts.
