The School of Law is mourning the loss of Sibley Professor Emeritus Julian B. McDonnell, who passed away on March 27, 2024. McDonnell retired from the law school in June 2003 after over 30 years of dedicated service. Specializing in contracts, commercial paper, and secured transactions, his scholarly contributions included five books and numerous articles. McDonnell played a significant role in drafting key financial legislation for Georgia state banks, leaving a lasting impact on the legal landscape.
According to the information released, McDonnell was highly regarded by his students, as evidenced by his multiple recognitions for teaching excellence. He received the Faculty Book Award for Teaching Excellence five times and was also honored with the Professional Responsibility Award. In 2003, McDonnell was awarded the Distinguished Service Scroll Award, the law school's highest honor, in recognition of his outstanding contributions.
In addition to his professional achievements, McDonnell is remembered for his family ties. He is survived by his sons, Patrick McDonnell and Christopher McDonnell, and his siblings, Maury McDonnell, Elizabeth Shivers, and Tom McDonnell. The community has been urged to support the McDonnell family during this difficult time, as expressed in the statement, "Please be sure to keep the McDonnell family in your thoughts and prayers during this sorrowful time."
To honor and remember Julian B. McDonnell, an informal celebration of life ceremony will take place on Saturday, March 30, at 1 p.m. at the Stratford Clubhouse in Athens, GA. The gathering will provide an opportunity for friends, colleagues, and students to pay their respects and celebrate the life of a remarkable individual. The address for the ceremony is South Stratford Drive, Athens, GA 30605, as stated in the announcement, "An informal celebration of life ceremony will be held on Saturday, March 30, at 1 p.m. at the Stratford Clubhouse located on South Stratford Drive, Athens, GA 30605."
As the School of Law mourns the passing of Julian B. McDonnell, his legacy of excellence and dedication to legal education will continue to inspire future generations of students and scholars.