Bob Mikell of AgSouth Farm Credit ACA in Statesboro was among the honorees when the 20th Annual Justice Robert Benham Awards for Community Service were presented March 9 at Georgia State University.  

Since 1998, these awards have been presented to honor lawyers and judges in Georgia who have made significant contributions to their communities and demonstrate the positive contributions of members of the State Bar of Georgia beyond their legal or official work. 

Awards are given to selected attorneys in the judicial districts of Georgia from which nominations were received.  This year’s recipients are Bob Mikell, Statesboro; Christopher Cohilas, Albany; Christina Folsom, Valdosta; Cheryl L. Milton, Macon; Judge Clarence F. Seeliger, Decatur; Gordon L. Joyner, Atlanta; Deepa Subramanian, Atlanta; Stephanie L. Steele, Marietta; Julia Greene, Gainesville; and Regina M. Quick, Athens.

These honorees have served a wide range of community organizations, government-sponsored activities, and humanitarian efforts outside of their professional practices and judicial duties. These awards recognize the commitment of Georgia lawyers and judges to volunteerism, encourage all lawyers and judges to become involved in community service, improve the quality of lawyers’ lives through the satisfaction they derive from helping others, and raise the public image of lawyers and judges.

This year it was awarded posthumously to two outstanding community and public servants, the Honorable P. Harris Hines of Marietta, retired chief justice of the Supreme Court of Georgia, and the Honorable Willie J. Lovett Jr. of Atlanta, presiding judge of the Fulton County Juvenile Court. 

This award is reserved for a lawyer or judge who, in addition to meeting the criteria for receiving the Justice Robert Benham Award for Community Service, has demonstrated an extraordinarily long and distinguished commitment to volunteer participation in the community throughout his or her legal career