Ray Phillips

The School of Law regrets to share news of the passing of Walter Ray Phillips 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. He has been described as a master teacher and scholar, a pillar of the law school and a gentleman in every sense of the word. Several colleagues recall him being someone who could teach any subject as long as he had a book. 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. He served on many law school committees and oversaw the school's transition from quarters to semesters. At the university level, he served on or chaired most major committees. He also directed the university's self-study in 1980. Phillips received the law school’s highest honor – the Distinguished Service Scroll Award – in 2000. Phillips is survived by his two daughters, Bonnie Koryn and Lee Evans, and two grandchildren, Rachel Good and Luke Evans. Please be sure to keep the Phillips family in your thoughts and prayers during this sorrowful time. 

2000 – UGA School of Law Distinguished Service Scroll Award