2026 Alumni Award Recipients

J. Henry Walker, ’86
Outstanding Alumnus Award

Henry Walker, a 1986 graduate of Mercer Law, has built an extraordinary career as one of the nation’s most respected commercial litigators and law firm leaders. He practiced with Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton LLP from the start of his career and rejoined the firm in 2007 after serving as Chief Litigation Counsel at BellSouth Corporation, where he earned both the President’s Award and the General Counsel’s Award for Excellence.

A proven visionary, Walker served as Chair and CEO of Kilpatrick from 2013 to 2024. During his tenure, the firm expanded into major new markets including Los Angeles, Dallas, Houston, Chicago, Phoenix, Shanghai, and Beijing. His leadership and influence have earned widespread recognition: the Atlanta Business Chronicle named him one of Atlanta’s Most Admired CEOs in 2019 and honored him as an Executive Champion of Corporate Citizenship in 2024. From 2020–2025, he was included in the Atlanta 500 list of the region’s most powerful leaders, and in 2022, Georgia Trend highlighted him among “Georgia’s 500 Most Influential Leaders.”

Walker continues his practice as Chair Emeritus and partner on Kilpatrick’s Complex Commercial Litigation Team, representing major clients in high-stakes disputes across the technology and telecommunications sectors. He has been repeatedly named to The Best Lawyers in America® in numerous litigation categories and recognized as an “Eminent Practitioner” in Chambers USA. He has served as first-chair counsel in multimillion-dollar trials, achieved landmark victories in the United States Supreme Court, and is highly regarded for helping clients mitigate risk and prevent litigation.

Deeply committed to his profession and his community, Walker serves on the State Bar of Georgia Board of Governors, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and the Executive Committee of the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. A current Mercer University Trustee and former member of the Law School Board of Visitors, he continues to champion Mercer Law’s mission with distinction and pride.

The Honorable Eric K. Dunaway, ’96
Meritorious Service Award

The Honorable Eric K. Dunaway has devoted his legal career to ensuring justice, equity, and dignity for the people of Georgia. Since his election in 2017 to the Fulton County Superior Court in the 5th Judicial Administrative District, Judge Dunaway has earned praise for his thoughtful leadership on the bench and his deep respect for the rule of law.

Judge Dunaway’s journey to the judiciary began with nearly 20 years of prosecutorial experience. As deputy chief assistant district attorney in DeKalb County, he supervised the Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Unit, leading efforts to protect survivors and hold violent offenders accountable. He previously served as an assistant district attorney in Paulding and Fulton counties, prosecuting major felony cases ranging from homicide to child molestation. Known for his diligence and compassion, he handled some of the most sensitive cases in the criminal justice system with professionalism and care.

Born and raised in South Fulton County, Judge Dunaway is a proud Georgia native. He earned his B.A. in political science from Morehouse College in 1993 and his J.D. from Mercer University School of Law in 1996. He began his legal career as an assistant solicitor for the City of Atlanta, where he gained valuable trial experience prosecuting DUI and misdemeanor offenses.

Judge Dunaway remains an active leader in the legal community through service to numerous professional organizations, including the Atlanta Bar Association, the State Bar of Georgia, the Gate City Bar Association—where he chaired the Judicial Section—the Georgia Hispanic Bar Association, and others. He is also a 2019 graduate of Leadership Atlanta and has given back to Mercer Law through board service and as vice president of the Mercer Law School Black Alumni Association.

He and his wife, attorney Julie Kert, are the proud parents of two children. Judge Dunaway’s career continues to reflect his steadfast commitment to fairness, community, and public service.

Virginia C. Josey, ’16
Young Alumna Volunteer of the Year Award

Since graduating from Mercer Law in 2016, Virginia Josey has exemplified what it means to be a servant-leader in the legal profession. A dedicated trial lawyer, she has remained deeply committed to Mercer Law’s nationally recognized advocacy program—coaching multiple mock trial teams for more than five years and teaching Advanced Litigation Drafting to second- and third-year students. Her influence extends statewide as recent chair of the Georgia Bar’s High School Mock Trial, a faculty member of the Georgia High School Mock Trial Academy, former Middle Georgia High School Mock Trial regional coordinator, and a highly engaged mentor who volunteers her time conducting mock interviews for 1L Mercer Law students.

Josey’s professional journey reflects excellence and a passion for justice. She has been named a National Trial Lawyers Association “Top 40 Under 40” honoree for three consecutive years in the civil plaintiff category and is a graduate of the Georgia Defense Lawyers Association’s Trial and Mediation Academy, the State Bar’s Young Lawyers Division Leadership Academy, Leadership Macon, and the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association’s LEAD program. Last year, she received the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association Community Service Award. This year, she was sworn in as president-elect of the Young Lawyers Division of the State Bar of Georgia. She also currently serves on the Georgia Bar’s Disciplinary Board.

Her commitment to community runs just as deep. She serves as the regional representative for Legal Food Frenzy, benefiting the Middle Georgia Food Bank, and previously served on the Middle Georgia Alliance to End Regional Trafficking, speaking statewide on protections for victims. She is past president of the Middle Georgia Women Lawyers Association and remains active in a wide range of professional organizations.

During law school, Josey distinguished herself as Honor Court justice and president of the Advocacy Council, while competing nationally and earning the James C. Estes Moot Court Award and induction into the Order of Barristers. A Texas native raised in Tennessee and Georgia, she earned her bachelor’s degree from Georgia Southern University, where she currently serves as the Alumni Board of Directors president-elect.

Virginia enjoys time with her husband, Jordan—also a Mercer Law graduate—and their son, friends, baking, live music, and traveling.