Julian B. McDonnell

Sibley Professor Emeritus Julian B. McDonnell passed away on March 27, 2024. He retired from the law school in June 2003 after more than 30 years of service. Specializing in contracts, commercial paper and secured transactions, his scholarship included five books and numerous articles. In addition, McDonnell was the principal drafter of the Georgia Financial Institutions Code, which was enacted in 1974 as the code for Georgia state banks, and the Georgia Article Nine Revision, enacted in 1978. Well-respected by his students, McDonnell was selected by members of the graduating class to receive the Faculty Book Award for Teaching Excellence on five occasions and was the recipient of the Professional Responsibility Award. McDonnell received the law school’s Distinguished Service Scroll Award in 2003. He is survived by his sons, Patrick McDonnell and Christopher McDonnell, and his siblings, Maury McDonnell, Elizabeth Shivers and Tom McDonnell.

Walter Ray Phillips

Walter Ray Phillips passed away on November 8, 2023, at the age of 91. He retired from the law school in 2000 after 27 years as a member of the faculty. During his tenure, he served as acting dean in 1976 and associate dean from 1975 to 1983, and he held the Talmadge and Lumpkin professorships. Author of 12 law books, his teaching portfolio included: tax, civil procedure, bankruptcy, banking, corporate reorganization and legal ethics. Students honored him with the legal ethics teaching award on one dozen occasions. Additionally, he oversaw the law school’s transition from quarters to semesters and directed the university’s self-study in 1980. Phillips received the law school’s Distinguished Service Scroll Award in 2000. He is survived by his two daughters, Bonnie Koryn and Lee Evans, and two grandchildren, Rachel Good and Luke Evans.