2024 Ronald M. George Public Lawyer of the Year Award Recipient: Howard Wayne

Howard Wayne was first in his family to attend college, entering San Diego State at 15. After graduating Cum laude from the University of San Diego School of Law in 1972, Howard clerked for the California Court of Appeal. He then joined the California Attorney General’s Office for a total of forty-two years as a Deputy. Howard believed the Attorney General’s office was the best place in California to practice pure law in the name of public good. 

Howard was always interested in public office and met his wife, Mary Lundberg, at a local political event. He served in the State Assembly from 1996 to 2002. In his first term he headed the Committee on Environmental Safety and Toxic Materials. One of his proudest achievements was fulfilling a promise to constituents, by creating an ocean pollution bill which required the first ever testing of ocean water for pollutants. While in the Assembly, he was known as a lawyer’s lawyer, who would pick apart bills word by word and sentence and sentence until they did what their authors intended them to do.

After retirement in 2021, Howard sought out work that would allow him to protect public interest. Howard applied and was selected for the San Diego County Grand Jury. The last eight years of Howard’s life he dedicated his skills to land use issues and was driving force on his community planning board with particular emphasis on access to affordable housing

The late Howard Wayne, a former California Assemblyman and Deputy Attorney General, has been named the 2024 Ronald M. George Public Lawyer of the Year by the California Lawyers Association’s Public Law Section.

Mr. Wayne will be honored at a reception on Sept. 6 during the California Lawyers Association Conference in San Jose. The Public Lawyer of the Year Award recognizes Wayne as a life-long public servant and avid volunteer, who was dedicated to the betterment of the community and public law before he passed in November 2023.

“The Public Law Section chose Howard Wayne as the 2024 Ronald M. George Public Lawyer of the Year, and we are proud to continue honoring lawyers who provide outstanding service to the public just as the former Chief Justice did” said Megan McClurg, chair of the Public Law Section.

Since 1973, Howard spent much of his career at the California Attorney General’s Office (AGO), handling criminal matters and prosecuting businesses in consumer-fraud cases. He handled the most advanced appellate and consumer protection matters.

In 1996, Howard was elected to the California Assembly and served San Diegans in that role until 2002. He authored landmark legislation which created a coastal water-quality testing program, designed to alert surfers and others about contaminants.

Upon leaving the Assembly, Howard returned to the AGO and continued prosecuting businesses on behalf of Californians. His commitment to the practice of public law can be seen by his decades of service at the AGO and by his community involvements. For example, Howard taught courses in lobbying and advocacy. In 2006, he travelled to South Africa to help the post-apartheid government establish a new legal system. After his retirement, Howard was a member of the San Diego County Grand Jury where he spent up to 40 hours a week on government-oversight work until his death.  

“Howard was always professional and courteous in dealing with colleagues and opposing counsel, while standing firmly against dilatory tactics and uncivil behavior,” said Judge Tim Nader of San Diego County Superior Court. “Howard was also an unsung mentor to numerous law students and new attorneys, and always made time to provide support and guidance. In addition to his work as a public attorney and a legislator, Howard taught many years in local law schools and colleges. He was widely recognized in our community for his outstanding leadership in the profession and in the community at large.”

Judge Robert C. Longstreth attested that Mr. Wayne was involved in the efforts of maximizing legitimate participation in free and fair elections, and that his selection of Public Lawyer of the Year is a “fitting acknowledgement of his life and career.”

The California Lawyers Association’s Public Law Section ensures that the laws relating to the function and operation of public agencies are clear, effective and serve the public interest; advances public service through public law practice; and enhances the effectiveness of public law practitioners. The section focuses on administrative law, municipal law, open meeting laws, political law, education law, state and federal legislation, public employment, government contracts, tort liability and regulations, land use/environment issues, and public lawyer ethics. The section provides educational programs, seminars and resource materials, and publishes the quarterly Public Law Journal.