Frank Mieczkowski

Frank Mieczkowski

Degree: 2003, MPA

Job Title: Commissioner, Family Court of Delaware

Frank Mieczkowski (MPA '03) is a commissioner in the Family Court of the State of Delaware in New Castle County.

Frank notes that the biggest challenges in Family Court are having unrepresented litigants who are attempting to navigate the legal system with little or no knowledge. The people who come into court are coming with real, everyday family issues that affect their daily lives and are full of emotion. Sometimes that presents considerable difficulties in trying to make a legal determination and explain legal reasoning with parties who are unfamiliar with the law.
 
Before being appointed a commissioner, Frank served as a prosecutor at the Delaware Department of Justice (DOJ) from 2012 through his appointment to the bench in June 2020. At the DOJ, Frank worked primarily as a criminal prosecutor in the Domestic Violence and Child Abuse Unit and the Juvenile Delinquency and Truancy Unit. From 2016 through 2020, he served as the Assistant Unit Head in the Juvenile Unit.

While earning his Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree, Frank served as a Legislative Fellow in 2002 and 2003, which helped develop his interest in law. When he finished at the University of Delaware (UD), he hoped to begin working in the legislature in some capacity. The state, however, was on a hiring freeze that caused him to get into education. After graduating from UD, Frank was an assistant principal at Salesianum School from 2003 to 2007. He then moved into teaching World History full time and enrolled in law school at night.

The Legislative Fellows Program was an invaluable opportunity to get experience in policy, understanding the legislative process, and making considerable contacts in the public sector. Frank knew at the time how beneficial the experience was, but over the years it has proven even more so. Frank's time in the General Assembly drove him to public service after law school and sparked his involvement in community and local politics. And, during Frank's Senate confirmation hearing last June, the then-Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, introduced him as a familiar face from the Legislative Fellows, which was 17 years ago.  

According to Frank, the Institute for Public Administration (IPA) does a wonderful job of ingraining the importance of public service into its students. It leads the way in showing the valuable careers of public servants and the variety of options students have upon graduation. This is true not only within IPA but also throughout the MPA program and the Biden School. By far the most tangible benefit from IPA is the opportunity for practical experience while in an academic setting.

Frank resides in North Wilmington with his wife, Dana, three daughters, and Deke, their Chesapeake Bay Retriever. He remains active in his community in various organizations. When not coaching his daughters' sports, he enjoys hunting, fishing, and being outdoors, preferably on the water. He completed an Ironman Triathlon in 2018 and keeps active with swimming, running, and biking. He continues to root for the Blue Hens in football as well as local Philadelphia teams.

Regarding future goals, Frank plans to remain on the bench in Family Court for the remainder of his term and seek reappointment.​