Presiding Judge Stephen Louis A. Dillard (‘96) of the Georgia Court of Appeals has been named the recipient of the 30th Annual William H. Rehnquist Award for Judicial Excellence, one of the nation’s most prestigious honors for a state court judge.
“His enthusiasm for and commitment to transparency and public trust is evident from his leadership in making courts more accessible,” said NCSC President Elizabeth Clement.
Presented by the National Center for State Courts (NCSC), the Rehnquist Award recognizes judges who demonstrate integrity, fairness, open-mindedness, legal expertise, professional ethics, creativity, sound judgment, and courage.
“I am honored beyond words to receive the William H. Rehnquist Award for Judicial Excellence, and it will be especially thrilling to have Chief Justice Roberts of the United States present it to me at the Supreme Court of the United States in November, “said Dillard.
Judge Dillard has led several major initiatives to improve court operations in Georgia. He restructured the Court of Appeals’ central staff to better allocate resources and expedite case resolutions, and he successfully advocated for additional staff support from the Georgia General Assembly to handle an expanding caseload.
“Stephen exemplifies what we should all desire of our state judges — a commitment to the rule of law, an undying devotion to improving public trust and confidence in our courts, and a dedication to enhancing the administration of justice,” said former Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice Michael P. Boggs.
As a member of the Georgia Appellate Jurisdiction Reform Commission, Dillard helped shape the Appellate Jurisdiction Reform Act of 2016, which shifted categories of cases from the state’s Supreme Court to the Court of Appeals — improving efficiency and reducing redundancy.
Judge Dillard is also recognized for his commitment to openness in the judiciary. Since 2012, he has served as a consultant for the Georgia High School Mock Trial Competition, mentoring students and judging oral arguments. He also led efforts to implement livestreaming of oral arguments at the Court of Appeals, enhancing public access and understanding of the judicial process.
Judge Dillard earned a bachelor’s degree from Samford University and his Juris Doctor from MC Law. Earlier this year, he completed a Master of Laws in Judicial Studies at Duke University School of Law.
Before his appointment to the Court of Appeals in 2010, Dillard clerked for Judge Daniel A. Manion of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit and practiced law for 12 years, specializing in complex litigation and appellate advocacy.
