Presiding Judge Stephen Louis A. Dillard of the Court of Appeals of the State of Georgia was honored with the 30th Annual William H. Rehnquist Award for Judicial Excellence during an event at the U.S. Supreme Court last Thursday.
U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. presented the award to Dillard before a gathering of his family, friends, and honored guests.
One of the highest judicial recognitions in the country, the Rehnquist Award honors a state court judge who demonstrates the outstanding qualities of judicial excellence, including integrity, fairness, open-mindedness, knowledge of the law, professional ethics, creativity, sound judgment, courage, and decisiveness.
“So here is what I want you to know about my friend Steve: he is a smart, hard-working public servant who loves the law and who has dedicated himself not only to the public-facing aspects of judging — such as writing opinions and conducting oral arguments — but also to the behind- the-scenes operational work that ensures the continuing success of his court and Georgia’s judicial branch,” said Georgia Supreme Court Presiding Justice Sarah Hawkins Warren during her introduction of Dillard.
In his presentation of the award, Roberts spoke about Dillard’s leadership to improve court operations at the Court of Appeals and his contributions on the Georgia Appellate Jurisdiction Reform Commission that resulted in the reassignment of several case types which allows the Supreme Court to focus on cases of greatest significance. He also spoke of Dillard’s work to increase transparency, access to the courts, and civic education.
“In his 15 years on the bench, Judge Dillard has made remarkable contributions to judicial reform, court administration, civic engagement, and legal scholarship,” Roberts said. “He is a most worthy recipient of this award.”
Dillard expanded on his approach to public service and preserving the rule of law during his remarks.
“There is so much more to being a judge than the actual judging, and it’s critical for judges to remember that a significant part of being a good judge is being public facing and accessible to the people we serve. Judges are, first and foremost, public servants, not cloistered black-robed philosophers,” he said. “And I promise all of you that I will always strive to be the kind of judge who lives up to the attributes and civic values enshrined by this prestigious award.”
U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. presented the award to Dillard before a gathering of his family, friends, and honored guests.
One of the highest judicial recognitions in the country, the Rehnquist Award honors a state court judge who demonstrates the outstanding qualities of judicial excellence, including integrity, fairness, open-mindedness, knowledge of the law, professional ethics, creativity, sound judgment, courage, and decisiveness.
“So here is what I want you to know about my friend Steve: he is a smart, hard-working public servant who loves the law and who has dedicated himself not only to the public-facing aspects of judging — such as writing opinions and conducting oral arguments — but also to the behind- the-scenes operational work that ensures the continuing success of his court and Georgia’s judicial branch,” said Georgia Supreme Court Presiding Justice Sarah Hawkins Warren during her introduction of Dillard.
In his presentation of the award, Roberts spoke about Dillard’s leadership to improve court operations at the Court of Appeals and his contributions on the Georgia Appellate Jurisdiction Reform Commission that resulted in the reassignment of several case types which allows the Supreme Court to focus on cases of greatest significance. He also spoke of Dillard’s work to increase transparency, access to the courts, and civic education.
“In his 15 years on the bench, Judge Dillard has made remarkable contributions to judicial reform, court administration, civic engagement, and legal scholarship,” Roberts said. “He is a most worthy recipient of this award.”
Dillard expanded on his approach to public service and preserving the rule of law during his remarks.
“There is so much more to being a judge than the actual judging, and it’s critical for judges to remember that a significant part of being a good judge is being public facing and accessible to the people we serve. Judges are, first and foremost, public servants, not cloistered black-robed philosophers,” he said. “And I promise all of you that I will always strive to be the kind of judge who lives up to the attributes and civic values enshrined by this prestigious award.”
