ATLANTA (February 28, 2012) – Sen. Nan Orrock (D-Atlanta) honored John Sweet on Friday, Feb. 24 with Senate Resolution 1043 for his Lifetime Achievement Award given by the State Bar of Georgia and the Chief Justice’s Commission on Professionalism. He will be presented with the Justice Robert Benham Lifetime Achievement Award today, Feb. 28.
“John has not only helped countless individuals with his pro bono work over four decades. He has generously helped build institutions that will continue to make a difference for generations yet to come,” said Sen. Orrock. “His selfless leadership, always coupled with plenty of elbow grease, has inspired me and others as well to speak up, stand up, and work for the greater good of our communities.”
His pro bono work includes representing more than 200 survivors of domestic violence and serving as the first attorney of record of plaintiffs in Bowers v Hardwick, which laid the groundwork for the Supreme Court’s decision in Lawrence v Texas. This decision invalidated sodomy laws in the 13 states legalizing same-sex sexual activity because intimate consensual sexual conduct is protected by substantive due process under the 14th amendment.
Sweet is also committed to the youth community and has started the Atlanta Youth Soccer Association and Phoenix Youth Soccer Association to help thousands of children in communities lacking in-town youth soccer leagues. He has served as a member of the Atlanta City council, Atlanta Housing Authority, EarthShare, Metro Fair Housing Services Board, Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, Georgia Conservation Voters and the BOND Community Federal Credit Union. He is also an environmental advocate who has shown his support for the Sierra Club’s fight to stop new coal plants from polluting Georgia and served as a visionary leader for 10 years with GreenLaw.
RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
February 28, 2012
For Information Contact:
Natalie Dale, Director
Kate Greer, Broadcast Specialist
kate.greer@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028