CANTON, Ga. (March 2014) – Hasty Pope, LLP Attorney of Counsel William G. “Billy” Hasty, Jr., is helping improve education in Cherokee County through his involvement with the Cherokee County Educational Foundation.
Serving as president of the board, Hasty has helped the foundation raise enough funds to make grants of approximately $20,000 to fund teacher, staff and administrators’ innovative ideas and school needs since the Foundation was started two years ago.
“Being a part of this organization has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life,” Hasty said. “I get to experience the joy of meeting students and teachers. We have a great Foundation, and we’re going to continue it for moments like this.”
Established just two years ago, the Cherokee County Educational Foundation has quickly made a difference under Hasty’s leadership. In February, the Foundation awarded six IMPACT Educational Grants totally $10,000.
The IMPACT grants were given to teachers across Cherokee County to support innovative and creative ideas in teaching and learning.
The fundraising success of the Cherokee County Educational Foundation created the grant opportunities. The Foundation was able to give twice as much in IMPACT Grants as it did the first year.
Hasty, a Canton native, has a community involvement since he began his law practice in 1974. It’s a trait he got from his father.
“My dad always gave his time to the community,” Hasty said. “He taught me that early on. Give your time and your financial support back.”
As a youngster, he traveled with his father, William G. Hasty Sr., who was an educator and state representative and senator in Georgia.
Hasty has served as Canton City Attorney and attorney for the Cherokee County Development Authority. He has acted as pro bono counsel for the Cherokee Training Center, an organization that services residents with developmental disabilities.
Hasty is chairman of the board for the Cherokee County Hospital Authority, and a member of the board of directors for Northside Hospital Atlanta. He also leads the Riverside Cemetery Association.
Hasty has enjoyed a successful career as a litigator, attaining some of the highest jury verdicts in the U.S. in cases involving exposure to pesticides. He successfully represented plaintiffs in the L-Tryptophan litigation suit, and won a jury verdict in a chemical exposure case that produced the highest jury verdict recorded in the state of Georgia at the time. He recently received the AV Preeminent Rating, the Highest Possible Rating from Martindale-Hubbell.