As of October 17, 2026. Times are Eastern.
On September 22, 2026, this disabled dad asked Russell D. Willard, General Counsel, State Bar of Georgia, one thing: “You head that office. State which account it stands behind.” The answer was due September 25, 2026. As of October 17, 2026, none has come.
Double Talk:
On May 12, 2026, at 2:12 PM, the Deputy General Counsel in Russell D. Willard’s office, William D. NeSmith III, wrote me: “The State Bar of Georgia is not a public entity, such as a federal, state or local government department or agency.”
He went on: “The State Bar of Georgia is not a department or agency of the State of Georgia, therefore we are not required to have a published ADA Coordinator.”
The same day, the lawyers for that same office told a federal court: “As the administrative arm of the Georgia Supreme Court, Defendants are entitled to qualified immunity.”
On June 9, 2026, they told the court: “the State, through the Georgia Supreme Court, controls the State Bar and its agents and employees.”
On September 28, 2026, they told the court: “The State Bar is a state actor.”
One Office, Five Answers:
| Date | Who | To whom | The words |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 7, 2026 | John J. Shiptenko, copying Russell D. Willard | Me | “A public entity can have numerous ADA coordinators.” |
| May 12, 2026, 2:12 PM | William D. NeSmith III | Me | “it nevertheless remains a private, member-funded, and member-governed organization.” |
| May 29, 2026, 3:15 PM | John J. Shiptenko | Me | “To be clear, the State Bar’s position remains that it is not subject to Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act.” |
| June 9, 2026 | Counsel of record for the office, Document 52 | A federal court | “the State, through the Georgia Supreme Court, controls the State Bar and its agents and employees” |
| September 28, 2026 | Counsel of record for the office, Document 54 | A federal court | “the State Bar clearly is an arm of the State” |
Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act covers public entities. To a disabled dad asking for access, the office said it was not one. To a federal judge, it said the State controls it. Same office. Two answers.
The Question, and the Silence:
At 10:55 AM on September 22, 2026, I wrote to Russell D. Willard by name. I set his office’s statements side by side. I wrote: “You head that office. State which account it stands behind.”
I gave him three business days: Friday, September 25, 2026. I wrote: “If I receive no written answer by that date, the record will show that your office was asked which account it stands behind and did not say.”
The record shows it. As of October 17, 2026, no email has ever come from his address to me. His mailbox returned exactly one read receipt in this whole matter. It was not on this letter.
What I Allege:
- Double talk. I allege that on May 12, 2026, the Deputy General Counsel in Russell D. Willard’s office wrote me that “The State Bar of Georgia is not a public entity,” and that on the same day counsel of record for that office told a federal court: “As the administrative arm of the Georgia Supreme Court, Defendants are entitled to qualified immunity.” Sources: the May 12, 2:12 PM email; Document 46, filed May 12, 2026.
- Not Title II to me, State control to the court. I allege that on May 29, 2026 his office wrote me that the State Bar “is not subject to Title II”, and that eleven days later, on June 9, 2026, counsel of record for his office told the court: “the State, through the Georgia Supreme Court, controls the State Bar and its agents and employees.” Sources: the May 29, 3:15 PM email from John J. Shiptenko; Document 52.
- The head of the office was asked. I allege that on September 22, 2026, at 10:55 AM, I asked Russell D. Willard in writing: “State which account it stands behind”, with an answer due September 25, 2026. Source: my September 22 email as sent.
- A habit of silence. I allege that he did not answer by September 25, 2026, and has not answered as of October 17, 2026; and that as of that date no email from his address has ever come to me. Sources: my mailbox, all folders, searched for russw@gabar.org (one read receipt, June 3, 2026, on a different email).
- He was told by name. I allege that he was copied on the May 7, 2026 email in which his office wrote “A public entity can have numerous ADA coordinators”, and that the September 22 letter went to him as its first addressee. Sources: the May 7, 10:01 AM email header; the September 22 email header.
What This Cost a Disabled Dad:
I asked a yes or no question: which law protects me? The office that runs Georgia’s lawyer discipline answered it two ways, depending on who was asking. It appears to me that the answer to a disabled dad was whatever kept the door shut.
Is this how they would treat their own family or friends that were disabled
What This Page Does Not Say:
This page does not grade anyone’s lawsuit. It quotes the State Bar’s own words and its own lawyers’ filings, by date. The labels are my opinion based on my experience. The quotations are theirs.
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