Bernard to Speak at UWG Summer Commencement

Kenneth R. Bernard will be the keynote speaker at summer commencement ceremonies at the University of West Georgia on July 31.

Bernard represents the 13th Congressional District on the Board of Regents, the governing body for the University System of Georgia. He was appointed to the board by Gov. Sonny Perdue in 2007 for a seven-year term as a regent. Bernard is chairman of the regents’ Organization and Law Committee, which oversees the legal affairs of the 35 public universities and colleges in Georgia. He was recently elected chairman of the University System of Georgia Foundation, Inc., which, among other activities, raises private funds for student scholarships and faculty recognition awards.

Bernard is a partner with Sherrod & Bernard and serves as the county attorney for Douglas County. His litigation experience includes handling matters from trial through appeal before the Supreme Court of Georgia. Bernard has represented individuals in a variety of wrongful death, serious injuries, employment, and product liability cases, including, automobile, truck and motorcycle accidents. He formerly served as a Special Assistant Attorney General, Vice-Chairman of the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority (GRTA), and served on the Governor's Development Council (GDC).

Bernard, a former Captain in the United States Marine Corps, graduated from the University of Georgia and the University of Georgia School of Law. After completing Officer Candidate School (OCS), The Basic School (TBS), and Naval Justice School, he distinguished himself as a Marine Corps Judge Advocate General (JAG). Bernard’s military and life experience served him well as he transitioned to his current trial and general counsel practice.

Bernard is a member of the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, the American Bar Association, Georgia Bar Association, Douglas County Bar Association and National Association of College and University Attorneys. He has served in a variety of state and local civic, charitable, and social organizations, where he has received recognition for his efforts on behalf of the community, region and state. Bernard enjoys an active life as a father, husband and youth baseball coach with two Georgia Pony Baseball State titles (Mustang 2008 and Bronco 2009) and a USSSA Georgia Travel Baseball 12U (AA) State Championship (2010).