ATLANTA — Nelson Mullins partner Stan Jones received the 2023 Golden Pigeon award during the 37th annual Georgia Golden Pigeon dinner. The annual Georgia lobbyists’ dinner bestows honors to various lobbyists, including a “rookie” lobbyist for his or her legislative session work, a Golden Pigeon for an individual who has played a significant role in the passage of an important bill, and a Lifetime Pigeon for someone who has been an exemplary professional over his or her career.

Jones was chosen by his peers to receive the Golden Pigeon honor for his work on House Bill 1013 from the 2022 session. The legislation was the late Speaker David Ralston’s bill addressing Georgia’s needs for better mental health services, known as the state’s Mental Health Parity Act. Jones worked closely with the speaker’s authors of the bill, Representatives Todd Jones (R-South Forsyth) and Mary Margaret Oliver (D-Decatur), to form not only the language but also build consensus on the proposal.

“This award is a huge honor for Stan,” said Nelson Mullins lobbyist and legislative consultant Helen Sloat. “It is a tribute that acknowledges his lifetime passion, advocacy, and work on improving mental health services in Georgia. Our entire team is pleased for him and the recognition of his work on this monumental bill.”