Enoch Overby of Calhoun was recently awarded an Amicus Curiae certificate by the Supreme Court of Georgia – one of the highest honors given by the state’s high court.

Signed by all seven justices, the certificate recognizes Overby’s outstanding service to the state’s judicial system, his constant concern for justice for his fellow man, and his loyalty to the aims and aspirations of our court system.

“Amicus Curiae” is a legal Latin phrase that means “friend of the court.”

Overby, 68, was honored at the State Bar of Georgia on his last day as chairman of the Georgia Supreme Court’s “Board to Determine Fitness of Bar Applicants.”

He recently retired from the nine-member Board after 11 years of service.

The Board, whose members are appointed by the state Supreme Court, is charged with inquiring into the character and fitness of applicants for admission to the practice of law and certifying as fit those who have established to the Board’s satisfaction that they possess the character and fitness required to be members of the Bar of Georgia. If an applicant’s record shows a possible deficiency, the Fitness Board investigates further and may decide not to recommend the candidate to the Supreme Court for admission.

During Overby’s tenure, the board approved 18,000 fitness applications.

Overby, who calls himself a “country lawyer,” has been in private practice in Calhoun since 1978.

He earned his undergraduate degree from The Citadel, a Bachelor of Laws degree from Tulane University and a Master of Laws degree from New York University.