Presiding Judge Stephen Louis A. Dillard of the Court of Appeals of the State of Georgia has been named the recipient of the 30th Annual William H. Rehnquist Award for Judicial Excellence presented by the National Center for State Courts (NCSC).
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.
“Judge Dillard’s transformational efforts to improve appellate court administration will have lasting impacts for many years to come,” said NCSC President Elizabeth Clement. “His enthusiasm for and commitment to transparency and public trust is evident from his leadership in making courts more accessible.”
Dillard will receive the Rehnquist Award from U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. during an event at the Supreme Court of the United States this month.
Dillard’s nomination spoke to numerous initiatives that improved the administration of justice including a restructuring of central staff to prioritize resources and more efficient case resolution. He was also successful in gaining additional staff resources from the General Assembly to handle an increasing caseload.
His contributions on the Georgia Appellate Jurisdiction Reform Commission led to several categories of cases shifting from the supreme court to court of appeals to help reduce redundancies and improve efficiencies. Dillard was also instrumental in getting the Appellate Jurisdiction Reform Act of 2016 signed into law.
“These changes were nothing short of revolutionary, and Stephen played a key leadership role throughout this historic process,” wrote Judge Don R. Willett of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
Devoted to endeavors that seek to improve public trust and confidence in our courts, Dillard has actively supported the Georgia High School Mock Trial Competition since 2012. He serves as a special consultant who teaches effective oral argument techniques and judges arguments during the competition.
His work to implement live streaming of oral arguments was an extension of his commitment to demystifying the judiciary and connecting with the public.
Dillard earned an undergraduate degree from Samford University and his law degree from the Mississippi College School of Law. Earlier this year, he received a master of laws in judicial studies from the Duke University School of Law.
Before his appointment to the Court of Appeals in 2010, Dillard clerked for U.S. Court of Appeals Judge Daniel A. Manion, Seventh Circuit, and spent 12 years in private practice, specializing in complex litigation and appellate practice.
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.
“Judge Dillard’s transformational efforts to improve appellate court administration will have lasting impacts for many years to come,” said NCSC President Elizabeth Clement. “His enthusiasm for and commitment to transparency and public trust is evident from his leadership in making courts more accessible.”
Dillard will receive the Rehnquist Award from U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. during an event at the Supreme Court of the United States this month.
Dillard’s nomination spoke to numerous initiatives that improved the administration of justice including a restructuring of central staff to prioritize resources and more efficient case resolution. He was also successful in gaining additional staff resources from the General Assembly to handle an increasing caseload.
His contributions on the Georgia Appellate Jurisdiction Reform Commission led to several categories of cases shifting from the supreme court to court of appeals to help reduce redundancies and improve efficiencies. Dillard was also instrumental in getting the Appellate Jurisdiction Reform Act of 2016 signed into law.
“These changes were nothing short of revolutionary, and Stephen played a key leadership role throughout this historic process,” wrote Judge Don R. Willett of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
Devoted to endeavors that seek to improve public trust and confidence in our courts, Dillard has actively supported the Georgia High School Mock Trial Competition since 2012. He serves as a special consultant who teaches effective oral argument techniques and judges arguments during the competition.
His work to implement live streaming of oral arguments was an extension of his commitment to demystifying the judiciary and connecting with the public.
Dillard earned an undergraduate degree from Samford University and his law degree from the Mississippi College School of Law. Earlier this year, he received a master of laws in judicial studies from the Duke University School of Law.
Before his appointment to the Court of Appeals in 2010, Dillard clerked for U.S. Court of Appeals Judge Daniel A. Manion, Seventh Circuit, and spent 12 years in private practice, specializing in complex litigation and appellate practice.
