The Atlanta legal community has lost a legend. Sidney "Sid" Frank Wheeler, a founding partner of Weinberg, Wheeler, Hudgins, Gunn & Dial, died Jan. 21 at age 85.

A lifelong Georgian, Sid was born and raised in Monroe and graduated from Monroe High School. After high school, Sid attended and graduated from Georgia Tech and the University of Georgia School of Law. Upon graduation from Georgia Tech, Sid was commissioned as an ensign in the U.S. Navy. He proudly served his country while on active duty between college and law school.   

Sid was admitted to the State Bar of Georgia while still a student in law school. He began his law practice in Atlanta in 1962 with a firm then headed by E. Smythe Gambrell. In 1967, when offered a partnership in the Gambrell firm, Sid instead joined Ben Weinberg and Palmer Ansley, later forming Long, Weinberg, Ansley & Wheeler–which became a renowned trial and insurance defense firm in Georgia and the Southeast. The outstanding reputations of these three men quickly spread, and they ultimately built a firm that tried cases throughout the country. Revered, respected and held in the highest regard by both plaintiff and defense lawyers, Sid was considered "the ultimate defense lawyer." He was a man of his word and a man of few words. Sid's word, whether spoken or written, was gold. 

In 1999, Sid and Ben Weinberg decided to take a different path and joined forces with their partners Skip Hudgins, Billy Gunn and Dave Dial, to form a new firm: Weinberg, Wheeler, Hudgins, Gunn & Dial. Reflecting on Sid's founding role in the new law firm, Dial observed, "Without a doubt, one of the most exciting and complimentary events of my career was when Sid Wheeler decided to join our venture to start a new firm. Sid's distinguished reputation as a trial lawyer⁠—and his presence⁠—gave us credibility. Sid's wise counsel is one of the primary reasons the firm gained instant success." Sid was largely responsible for setting the foundation for what evolved into Weinberg, Wheeler, Hudgins, Gunn & Dial, which continued the legacy as a premier firm for trials and high stakes litigation nationwide.

A consummate professional, Sid also excelled as a mentor and teacher. He fostered an environment that encouraged the exchange of ideas, communication and open discussion of case strategy. According to Billy Gunn, "One of Sid's greatest strengths was his ability to always see around the corner and many steps ahead. This gift made him an exceptional client advocate and formidable opponent." Sid loved to discuss the "why" associated with his cases, using opportunities to mentor along the way. He believed in the value of diversity and was an early and vocal advocate of the strength and value of diverse individuals and ideas.

 Sid was a trial lawyer's lawyer for more than 40 years. A member of numerous bar associations and court rosters, he was a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, an organization composed of preeminent lawyers recognized for mastering the art of advocacy under the highest standards of ethical conduct and professionalism. He also was a member of the Old War Horse Lawyers Club, the Advocates Club, Phi Delta Phi, the Lawyers Club of Atlanta and the Gridiron Secret Society. 

Sid loved the law, his firm and, most especially, his family. The lawyers and staff of Weinberg, Wheeler, Hudgins, Gunn & Dial are deeply indebted to Sid for all he did for us. He was a patriarch of our firm, and we will be forever grateful having known and worked with him. His loss to us is immeasurable.