Greg Willis

Bar / Professional Activity

• State of Georgia, 1996
• Former Chairman, Amicus Committee, Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (GACDL)
• Amicus Committee, DUI Defense Lawyers Association (DUIDLA)
• Member since 2015; Board of Directors; President Elect (2025); President (2026) - DUI Defense Lawyers Association (DUIDLA)
• Member, Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (GACDL)
• Member, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NACDL)
• Member, National College of DUI Defense, 2011
• Member, Georgia Defense of Drinking Drivers (DODD) Group
• Member, National Trial Lawyers Association
• Member, North Fulton Bar Association
• Member, Atlanta Bar Association

Verdicts / Settlements (Case Results)

• Court of Appeals Win (3/28/24): Our client was charged for DUI while speeding with an open container.  We appealed the decision in the court of appeals to suppress any evidence obtained pursuant to a search warrant for their blood and any statements made while in custody as involuntary, illegally obtained, and in violation of their Miranda rights.  The judgment was reversed because the state lacked sufficient reliability because it contained illegally-obtained evidence.
• Sales Woman with Two Prior DUIs Out-of-State. Result: DUI dismissed, no jail time, no loss of license.
• .16 BAC Breath Test Suppressed in Court. Result: DUI dismissed, professional license protected.
• College Professor with Two Prior DUIs. Result: DUI dismissed, no jail time, no loss of license.
• Challenging Admissibility of a .19 BAC Blood Test and Field Sobriety Evaluation. Result: no jail time, no DUI on record, no license suspension.
• Protecting a Professional License After a DUI and Refusal of a Blood Test. Result: DUI dismissed, no jail time, no loss of license.

Representative Clients

• Elliott v. State, 305 Ga. 179 (2019): Mr. Willis won a landmark Supreme Court of Georgia ruling holding that, under the Georgia Constitution, a defendant's refusal to take a breath test cannot be admitted as evidence against them at trial.
• McElrath v. Georgia (2024): Greg Willis filed the winning amicus curiae brief on behalf of the Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (GACDL). The U.S. Supreme Court issued a unanimous decision holding that a verdict of "not guilty by reason of insanity" constitutes an acquittal under the Double Jeopardy Clause of the Fifth Amendment. The ruling has significant implications for defendants in Georgia who face re-prosecution after a mixed verdict. (Unanimous Victory)
• La Anyane v. Georgia: Greg has filed a petition for certiorari challenging the constitutionality of Georgia's implied consent statute. The petition asks the Supreme Court to address whether Georgia's implied consent framework, which allows prosecution of DUI refusal, violates the Fourth Amendment. The petition builds on the line of Georgia cases, including Elliott, limiting how refusals can be used. (Pending Petition)
• Johns v. Georgia (No. 25-689): This petition is currently before the United States Supreme Court. It represents the continuation of Greg Willis's appellate practice at the highest level of the American legal system. (Active Petition)

Special Licenses / Certifications

• Certified to operate the Intoxilyzer 5000, a breathalyzer commonly used by law enforcement
• DUI Defense Lawyers Association Certificate, 2017
• The 9th Annual Diving Into a DUI Case Seminar, 2015
• The 18th Annual Mastering Scientific Evidence in DWI/DUI Cases Course, National College of DUI Defense, 2011
• Forensic Blood & Urine Testing Seminar, 2008
• Drug Evaluation and Classification Overview Course, 2004

Educational Background

• University of Virginia, B.S., Major: Commerce, 1992

Scholarly Lectures / Writings

• Altitude Adjustment: New Approaches to DUI Defense: Working with (or Against) the Legislature to Advance Your Client's Issues, DUI Defense Lawyers Association, 2026 (Speaker)
• A Breath of Fresh Air DUI Defense in the Windy City: Preparing Your Trial File for Appeal, DUI Defense Lawyers Association, 2025 (Speaker)
• Philadelphia Freedom: Amicus Update: Issues You Need to be Litigating, DUI Defense Lawyers Association, 2025 (Speaker)
• Outlaws Like Us: McElrath v. GA (2024) Take Me Come, Country Roads, Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 2024 (Speaker)
• Special Handling for DUI Appeals, Defense of Drinking Drivers Institute, 2023 (Speaker)
• Major League DUI Defense: Instant Replay: Trial Do's and Don'ts from a DUI Appellate Lawyer, DUI Defense Lawyers Association, 2023 (Speaker)
• Daubert: What it Means for DUIs and Police "Science", Defense of Drinking Drivers Institute, 2022 (Speaker)
• Field Sobriety Testing: The Clues Don't Seem to Add Up, ICLE Georgia DUI Update, 2016 (Speaker)
• DUI: Defending Blood Test Cases, ICLE Georgia DUI Update, 2015 (Speaker)
• The Intoxilyzer 5000 Source Code Quandary: Can Anyone Get an Out-of-State Subpoena After Cronkite?, Defense of Drinking Drivers Institute, 2013 (Speaker)
• Probable Cause Hearings: Your Best Opportunity to Win the Unwinnable Case, Defense of Drinking Drivers Institute, 2012 (Speaker)
• Georgia's Source Code Breath Test Cases: Is Any Per Se Case Not Worth a Subpoena?, Defense of Drinking Drivers Institute, 2011 (Speaker)
• Using the ALS Hearing to Win at Trial, ICLE Drivers License Suspensions and Revocations, 2009 (Speaker)
• Cross Examination Under the Micro "Scope": Cross-Examining the Arresting Officer Within the Scope of the Hearing, Handling Administrative Driver's License Suspensions and Revocations, 2007 (Speaker)
• In DUI Practice, Can You Be Held in Contempt?, Defense of Drinking Drivers Institute, 2004 (Speaker)
• Reasonable Suspicion v. Probable Cause, Handling Administrative License Suspensions and Revocations, 2004 (Speaker)
• Post-Hearing Remedies, Handling Administrative License Suspensions and Revocations, 2002 (Speaker)
• Opening Statement: Selling Your Theme Through Telling a Story, Defense of Drinking Drivers Institute, 1999 (Speaker)
• Student and Instructor, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) standardized field sobriety evaluations
• National / State / Local Instructor on DUI defense for lawyers, The National Trial Lawyers

Honors

• Super Lawyer - DUI Defense, Super Lawyers Magazine, 2026
• Attorney Avvo Rating of 10.0 (Superb), Avvo
• AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell, 2026
• The National Trial Lawyers, 2025
• Super Lawyer - DUI Defense, Super Lawyers Magazine, 2025
• Clients' Choice Award in the DUI category, Avvo, 2025
• Atlanta's Best - Defense Law Firm, Atlanta's Best, 2025
• President’s Award, Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 2025
• Super Lawyer - DUI Defense, Super Lawyers Magazine, 2024
• Lee Sexton Strike Force Soldier, GA Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 2024
• Atlanta's Best - Defense Law Firm, Atlanta's Best, 2024
• Lee Sexton Strike Force Soldier, GA Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 2023
• Super Lawyer - DUI Defense, Super Lawyers Magazine, 2023
• President’s Award, Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 2023
• Atlanta's Best - Defense Law Firm, Atlanta's Best, 2023
• Clients' Choice Award in the DUI category, Avvo, 2023
• Super Lawyer - DUI Defense, Super Lawyers Magazine, 2022
• Clients' Choice Award in the DUI category, Avvo, 2022
• Super Lawyer - DUI Defense, Super Lawyers Magazine, 2021
• Super Lawyer - DUI Defense, Super Lawyers Magazine, 2020
• Super Lawyer - DUI Defense, Super Lawyers Magazine, 2019
• Lawyer of the Year, GA Defense of Drinking Driver's Group, 2019
• DUI Defense Lawyers Association's highest honor, the BadAss Award, 2019
• Clients' Choice Award in the DUI category, Avvo, 2019
• Georgia DUI Lawyer of the Year Award, 2018
• Super Lawyer - DUI Defense, Super Lawyers Magazine, 2018
• Clients' Choice Award in the DUI category, Avvo, 2018
• Super Lawyer - DUI Defense, Super Lawyers Magazine, 2017
• Clients' Choice Award in the DUI category, Avvo, 2017
• Clients' Choice Award in the DUI category, Avvo, 2016
• Super Lawyer - DUI Defense, Super Lawyers Magazine, 2016
• Clients' Choice Award in the DUI category, Avvo, 2015
• Super Lawyer - DUI Defense, Super Lawyers Magazine, 2015
• Clients' Choice Award in the DUI category, Avvo, 2014
• Super Lawyer - DUI Defense, Super Lawyers Magazine, 2014
• Clients' Choice Award in the DUI category, Avvo, 2013
• Clients' Choice Award in the DUI category, Avvo, 2012
• DUI Appellate Lawyer of the Year, Georgia Defense of Drinking Drivers (DODD) Group, 2012
• Clients' Choice Award in the DUI category, Avvo, 2011
• Rising Stars ℠ Award from Super Lawyers ®, Super Lawyers Magazine, 2010
• Rising Stars ℠ Award from Super Lawyers ®, Super Lawyers Magazine, 2009
• Samurai Lawyer Award, GA Defense of Drinking Driver's Group, 2003

Awards

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Avvo Client's Choice Award: This award is granted to attorneys with at least 5 reviews with 4+ stars in a given year on Avvo.com

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AV Preeminent®: This elite award is granted to attorneys who have been recognized by their peers for their very high ethical standards, with an average peer review score of 4.5 or higher.