Local attorney celebrating 50 years in legal profession

By RORYE O’CONNOR

rorye.oconnor@register-news.com

MT. VERNON – One leader in the King City community is celebrating 50 years in his profession as well as a prestigious award.

George W. “Bill” Howard, senior partner at Howard, Leggans, Piercy and Howard LLP, recently celebrated 50 years of practicing law. He also received the Addis E. Hull award for Distinguished Service to the Legal Profession from the Illinois Institute for Continuing Legal Education.

“It was so unexpected,” Howard said of receiving the award. “It’s quite an award, given once a year. I never thought that I would be the recipient, so I was quite humbled.”

The Addis E. Hull Award has been given by IICLE since 1989 “to a practitioner or judge who has made especially valuable contributions to the Illinois Bar through IICLE programs, publications and/or governance over a period of years,” according to information provided by Howard’s law firm.

“Mr. Howard has worked tirelessly for IICLE over the past 20 years or more,” information states. “He has written for many of IICLE’s practice guidance books including ‘Estate Planning For Illinois Attorneys: The Basics and Beyond,’ spoken for many IICLE programs including IICLE’s Annual Estate Planning Short Course, and has served on the planning committee for IICLE’s programs. Mr. Howard’s career-long scholarship, and generosity in sharing his knowledge and experience exemplify the best in continuing legal education.”

Howard began practicing law in 1959, when he joined his father, George W. Howard Jr. In 1991, Howard’s son Jeffrey Howard joined the firm, and the three generations practiced law together until the death of George Howard Jr., in 1994.

Bill Howard and his partner are currently Corporation Counsel for the City of Mt. Vernon. Howard has held this post since 1983.

“My partner and I handle all the legal work for the city,” Howard said. “It’s gotten to be a pretty good-sized job, as the city is quite active.”

Before Howard was Corporation Counsel for the King City, he was the Mt. Vernon City Attorney from 1961 to 1983 and the Special Assistant Attorney General from 1964 to 1970.

Howard also attained the rank of captain in the United States Army Reserve, as a reservist from 1957 to 1965.

“I was fortunate enough to serve between Vietnam and Korea,” he said. “I only spent six months on active duty.”

Howard continues to serve his community in a variety of capacities. He is a trustee at the Mitchell Center at the Cedarhurst Center for the Arts, a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel and is admitted to practice in Illinois. He has served as a member of the Trustees of the University of Illinois for 18 years. He has been a part of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Illinois since 1962 and the U.S. Court of Appeals since 1986. He has served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the State Universities Retirement System for 12 years and has been president of the same for 10 years.

Howard has also been ordained as a minister in the Episcopal Church, he said.

“My wife and I were each ordained in the Episcopal Church and are actively involved in ministry,” he said. “She ministers in Carbondale and I am blessed to be able to minister each Sunday at several churches to the south.”

Howard said he has found enjoyment in his profession throughout the years.

“I’m very blessed to be able to do what I love and help people solve problems and avoid problems,” he said.

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