The Hon. Ralph A. Walker and Attorney Donald R. Vaughan Receive Prestigious GBA Distinguished Service Award
Service to others is one of the core values of the Greensboro Bar Association. In 1929, the GBA was established to encourage the assembly of its members for the transaction of business that furthers the public good and that maintains honor and dignity of the profession of law.
Although it is no secret that Judge Walker and Attorney Vaughan resemble the true meaning of those words from the GBA Constitution, they were certainly caught by surprise at GBA’s October 19th membership meeting when they were introduced and celebrated as the recipients of the GBA Distinguished Service Award. Having dedicated decades of gracious service to their communities, in various capacities, Judge Walker and Attorney Vaughan continue to commit themselves to the Greensboro community, its legal profession, and the GBA.
GBA President Gerald L. Walden, Jr. and NC Bar Association President, Patti Ramseur, honor Judge Ralph A. Walker with Distinguished Service Award
The Honorable Ralph A. Walker has demonstrated selfless service in many roles over the course of his lifetime. In his nearly sixty years of legal practice, he has served as a Guilford County solicitor, the Guilford County attorney, a partner of a private practice law firm, a Superior Court judge, and a judge for the North Carolina Court of Appeals. Judge Walker is a veteran of the United States Army and North Carolina National Guard. He has been a public member of the NC Medical Board, is a past board member of the Greensboro Urban Ministry, was a member of the Greensboro Mental Health Association, and is actively involved in his church. It is apparent that Judge Walker has truly dedicated his life to serving the legal profession and his community.
GBA President Gerald L. Walden, Jr. and Judge A. Robinson (Robby) Hassell, honor Donald R. Vaughan with Distinguished Service Award
Attorney Donald R. Vaughan is a Greensboro native and Wake Forest University alumnus. From Eagle Scout to zealous legal advocate, it is without doubt that Attorney Vaughan has been committed to public service since a young age. Early in his career, his quest to serve led him to seek elective office—first being elected to an at-large position on the Greensboro City Council and ultimately serving two terms as Greensboro’s Mayor Pro Tempore. His term was followed by his election to the NC Senate for two terms. Attorney Vaughan’s private law practice over the last several decades has afforded him opportunities to help others, whether in the halls of traffic court or the cells of our prisons, where he has devoted time in post-conviction clemency matters. Attorney Vaughan is an adjunct professor at Wake Forest and Elon Law Schools. His presence in the community is one that illustrates the true meaning of selfless service, and it is a badge of service worn well.
