ATLANTA— State Representative Wendell Willard (R-Sandy Springs) received the 2013 Distinguished Service Award from the State Bar of Georgia at their annual meeting on June 22.
“I am proud to receive this award,” said Rep. Willard. “It is a great honor to be recognized by my peers that I work with on a daily basis. My opportunity to serve my community and state has been enriched so much by my work as a lawyer and legislator.”
The award was presented by Robin Frazer Clark, President of the State Bar of Georgia.
“The Distinguished Service Award is the highest honor bestowed by the State Bar of Georgia for conspicuous service to the cause of jurisprudence and to the advancement of the legal profession in the state of Georgia,” said Clark. “This is a lifetime achievement award, and this year’s recipient is being honored for an exceptional career of more than 45 years of as an attorney and, most notably, his stellar record of leadership on behalf of the people of his community and the State of Georgia.”
The State Bar of Georgia chose Rep. Willard for the award because of his leadership as primary sponsor of legislation to reform Georgia’s juvenile justice code, which was signed into law this year; for strengthening laws related to abuse of the elderly and disabled; and for shepherding legislation enacted in 2011 to modernize Georgia’s Evidence Code.
Clark also noted that Willard is a lifelong Georgian, attended Georgia State University and graduated from Atlanta Law School. He served in the U.S. Marine Reserve and as a banking trust officer before beginning his legal career in 1968.
Other hallmarks of Willard’s career in public service include serving as a county attorney for DeKalb County and city attorney for Sandy Springs.
“His many years of devotion to public service and significant legislative accomplishments have served to promote the cause of justice, uphold the rule of law and protect the rights of all citizens,” concluded Clark.
Representative Wendell Willard represents the citizens of District 51, which includes portions of Fulton County. He was elected into the House of Representatives in 2000, and is the Chairman of the Judiciary committee. He also serves on the Appropriations, Ethics, Judiciary Non-Civil, Rules and Ways & Means committees.
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