Great Lawyer, Dedicated Citizen, Wonderful Father and Friend

He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8)

Akin & Tate, P.C. mourns the passing of Warren Akin, who died August 10, 2009. As his law partner, Lester Tate, eulogized, "Those above are not just the words of the prophet Micah, but the 96 year example set by my friend, Mr. Warren Akin. He was truly a man who did justice, loved kindness and walked humbly with God. He was a real life Atticus Finch, who exemplified everything good and decent about small town lawyers."

Born May 12, 1913, in Cartersville, Mr. Akin attended Mercer University as well as the University of Georgia, from which he graduated in 1935 with both his undergraduate and law degrees.

He was admitted to the Georgia Bar in 1935 and began practicing law in Cartersville with his father, Paul Francis Akin, continuing a legacy of family practice established in 1836 by Warren Akin I and continued by Warren Akin I's sons, Thomas Warren Akin, John Wesley Akin and Paul Francis Akin. That legacy continues today with Mr. Akin's son and granddaughter, Morgan Akin and Peggy Akin St. Philip, who are both local attorneys with Akin & Tate, P.C.

Until his early 90s, Mr. Akin was in the office every day, keeping current on the law and advising his son and other attorneys in the office. "When the Akins and I merged our law practices in 1996, people frequently asked me if Mr. Akin still practiced law," shares Lester Tate. "My standard, and quite truthful answer, was: No, Mr. Akin just tells us how to practice law."

Warren Akin enlisted in the U.S. Army as a private in 1943, and did not disclose he was a lawyer, fearing he would be sent to the JAG corps and not see any action. He was honorably discharged in 1945 after attaining the rank of major. He served his country in the North African and European theaters.

He was a charter member of Trinity United Methodist Church and also active in the community, serving on the Hospital Authority of Bartow County and becoming a district governor of Rotary International. He was one of the founders of Bartow County Bank in 1974, and served on its board of directors until 1983.

He served as solicitor general of the Cherokee Judicial Circuit, city attorney, alderman of the city council, and was a member of the American Legion for more than 50 years. In 1994, he received the Tradition of Excellence Award from the State Bar of Georgia, one of the highest awards given by the state's legal community. He also represented the Cherokee Judicial Circuit on the State Bar's Board of Governors on several occasions, beginning in 1964 when the State Bar of Georgia was first created.

"In short, if you're enjoying Cartersville or Bartow County or Georgia today," explained Lester Tate, "it is because of men and women like Warren Akin."

Mr. Akin was preceded in death by his wife, Jean Goodhart Akin, and his son, Warren Akin IV. He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Morgan and Deborah Akin; their children and spouses, Thomas and Abigail Akin, Peggy and Andrew St. Philip, Will and Cindy Akin, Paige Miller, and Tara and Cope Rowell; several great-grandchildren and other relatives and friends.