Judge Greg Willis announces candidacy for Collin County district attorney race

Judge Greg Willis Resigns Judgeship, Announces Candidacy For Collin County District Attorney



McKinney, Texas, October 12, 2009 – Surrounded by family and supporters on the Collin County Courthouse steps, Republican Greg Willis announced today his campaign for Collin County District Attorney. The County Court at Law Judge resigned his bench and is seeking to fill the seat of current District Attorney John Roach, who recently announced that he was not seeking re-election.



In his announcement, Willis outlined his plans to “aggressively prosecute crimes against children, sexual and domestic assaults, and drunk driving.”



“My experience as a private practice attorney, as well as a Collin County prosecutor and then judge, provide me with the background to serve in an effective and efficient manner from day one,” said Willis, who was twice listed as a Texas Monthly SuperLawyer®. “Now I ask the citizens of Collin County to give me the opportunity to build on the strong foundation established by John Roach and his high-caliber staff. It will be my goal to serve as Collin County District Attorney with the utmost personal and professional integrity.”



“I’ve seen the devastation wrought by those who prey upon our children and our elderly, by those who assault our sisters and our mothers. I’ve seen the senselessness of innocent victims who’ve been maimed or killed by those who refuse to drink responsibly,” Willis continued. “I ask that you give me the chance to lead the fight to keep our families safe, our neighborhoods secure, and our sense of justice intact.”



Joining Willis for the announcement, and offering their public endorsements, were State Representatives Jodie Laubenberg and Ken Paxton and County Commissioner Joe Jaynes.



Willis has also earned the endorsement of numerous mayors from across the county, including Brian Loughmiller of McKinney, Steve Terrell of Allen, Maher Maso of Frisco, Eric Hogue of Wylie, Charles Niswanger of Prosper, Don Smith of Farmersville, Bill Carmickle of Lucas, Jim Lewis of Celina, Joe Cordina of Parker, Reed Greer of Melissa, Johnny Hamm of New Hope, Norma Martin of Lavon, and Johnny Stevenson of Nevada. All four elected Collin County Constables, Paul Elkins, Joe Barton, Johnny Todd, and Chuck Presley have also endorsed Willis.



“I have known Greg Willis for over twenty-five years. He is a true conservative, an excellent judge and attorney, and a dedicated husband and father,” says Representative Paxton. “Collin County taxpayers would be well-served to have Greg Willis as their District Attorney.”



Willis commented, “I’m honored to have earned so many key endorsements in the beginning days of our campaign, and look forward to building an even stronger campaign organization in the weeks ahead.”



Greg Willis was first appointed judge of the Collin County Court at Law #6 in 2005 and was elected for a full term in 2006. In April 2009, Judge Willis was awarded the Patriot Award by the Employers Support for the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), a Department of Defense organization that promotes a culture of employers who support and value the military service of their employees.



Before his appointment as judge, Willis was in private practice with his wife, Jill, at The Willis Law Firm in Plano. He handled primarily criminal, employment, and family matters. Prior to opening The Willis Law Firm, Willis served four years as a misdemeanor and felony prosecutor for the Collin County Criminal District Attorney. Before that, Willis practiced employment law in the Dallas offices of Haynes & Boone, L.L.P., and Jones, Day, Reavis & Pogue, L.L.P.



Willis, a 1991 graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law, and an honors graduate of Baylor University, served as President of the Collin County Bar Association (2001-2002), and was named a Texas SuperLawyer® 2004 and 2005 (Texas Monthly). He is a Life Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation.



Willis and his wife, Jill, live in Allen with their son and daughter. He is a charter member of the Allen Sunrise Rotary Club and previously served on the Leadership Allen Alumni Board. The Willis family is active at Chase Oaks Church in Plano.