of Representatives. Since being first elected to serve in 2001, Representative Willard

has been instrumental in passing several pieces of landmark legislation. Since 2005

Representative Willard has served as Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee.

Chairman Willard’s notable legislative accomplishments during his time with the General

Assembly include- the 2006 passage of Georgia’s Eminent Domain law, which

strengthened personal property rights for all Georgians, and the 2004 Child Protection

Law, which protects children against reckless and abusive caregivers. Chairman Willard

also points to the 2005 creation of the City of Sandy Springs, his hometown, by the

General Assembly and the subsequent creation of the cities of Johns Creek and Milton

among his most notable legislative accomplishments.

In recognition of his legislative accomplishments, Chairman Willard has been honored

by- the Georgia Council on Aging with their Special Legislator Award, the Department of

Human Resources with their Leadership Award, and by the Association County

Commissioners of Georgia, among others. Most recently, he was honored in 2008 by

the Georgia Municipal Association as a "Champion of Georgia’s Cities." In looking

towards the 2009-2010 session, Chairman Willard will be introducing and overseeing

the updating of Georgia’s Evidence Code. The bill is the result of a Special

Study Committee that met throughout the summer and fall of 2008, which he chaired.

Representative Willard resides in Sandy Springs with his wife Vicki. When not working

at the Capitol, Representative Willard is an attorney in his own private practice, and

serves as the City Attorney for Sandy Springs. Active in the Sandy Springs and North

Fulton communities, Representative Willard serves on the board of The Newtown Park

Foundation. Representative Willard serves as Chairman of the House Judiciary

Committee and also serves on Appropriations, Ethics, Ex-Officio of Judiciary Non-Civil,

and Vice Chairman of Rules. He was a member of the Insurance Committee from 2001-

2005.