State Representative, District 51
Willard represents the 51st District in the Georgia House of Representatives. Since being first elected to serve in 2001, Willard has been instrumental in passing several pieces of landmark legislation. Since 2005, Willard has served as Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. 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. 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 accomplishments.
His more recent legislative accomplishments include the complete re-writing of the Georgia Evidence Code, 2011, and sponsor of the Juvenile Justice Reform Act in 2013, with its aim to help save Georgia’s youth from further criminal involvement.
In recognition of his legislative accomplishments, Chairman Willard has been honored numerous times including the Georgia Council on Aging twice, with their annual Legislator Award, the Department of Human Resources with their Leadership Award, the Association of County Commissioners of Georgia, and the Georgia Municipal Association as a “Champion of Georgia’s Cities."
In 2013, Willard was honored by the State Bar of Georgia with the “Lifetime Achievement Award," which is presented annually to a member of the Bar for his service to the Bar and community. He was also recognized for his service to the children of Georgia as recipient of the Big Voice for Children Award.
Willard resides in Sandy Springs with his wife Vicki. When not working at the Capitol, 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, Willard serves on the board of The Newtown Park Foundation. Willard also serves as Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee and also serves on Appropriations, Ethics, Rules and Ways and Means.