John A. Draughon, Sr. joined Cooper, Draughon and Cooper, LLP as an Of Counsel attorney to the firm in which he remains engaged in civil trial practice. Admitted to practice law in 1975, Mr. Draughon’s civil litigation experience includes eminent domain proceedings, hospital and business law, construction law, alternative dispute resolution (mediation), bodily injury, contract and property damage claims, ERISA, and local governmental law.

A skilled Macon attorney, Mr. Draughton has a degree from Emory University (BBA 1968). Mr. Draughon served as a personnel officer in the United States Air Force from 1969 until 1972, when he began his studies at the Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University, graduating cum laude in 1975. Mr. Draughon also earned an MBA at Georgia College in 1979.

Mr. Draughon is rated "AV" by the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory, which is the highest rating available for legal ability and general ethical standards. Mr. Draughon is the past President of the Georgia Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), whose membership is based on high personal character, honorable reputation, and proficiency as a trial lawyer. Additionally, Mr. Draughon has been selected by Super Lawyers as a top rated eminent domain attorney in Georgia.

For over twenty-five years, Mr. Draughon has served as a Special Assistant Attorney General for the State of Georgia. In that capacity, he represents the Georgia Department of Transportation in condemnation proceedings.

Mr. Draughon has tried over 40 civil jury trials to verdict in the fields of business law, hospital law, civil rights, and eminent domain. In one memorable medical negligence case, Mr. Draughon obtained the largest verdict in Houston County at that time. A young man who had a heart condition, known as Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome, was not diagnosed by his physician and died as a result. The jury awarded an amount that was commensurate with the value of the life of the young man.

Mr. Draughon was recently re-elected to the Board of Trustees of the Navicent Health Foundation. He previously served for nine years on the Board, during which time he served as Chair and Vice Chair for four years. He is a member of the Macon Civic Club and the Gridiron Secret Society. Mr. Draughon is presently serving as Chairman of the Robert Burns Society, Idle Hour Chapter.

Mr. Draughon and his wife, the former Sally C. Hines, were married in 1968 at Vineville United Methodist Church in Macon, where they continue to be members. They are the proud grandparents of five grandchildren.