Judge George T. Smith
1916 – 2010

The legendary George T. Smith was an invaluable asset to Browning & Smith, LLC, providing knowledge and insight into the legal and political systems of Georgia. He was unprecedented, the only man in the State of Georgia to win contested elections in all three branches of the State government.

From childhood Judge Smith embodied dedication and determination, dropping out of school at the age of 13 to support his family. He returned after five years to graduate as high school valedictorian. Following high school, Judge Smith attended Middle Georgia College and Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. He then served his country as a member of the U.S. Navy where he attained the rank of Lieutenant Commander and received the Naval Merit Unit Citation. After his time in military service, he entered the University Of Georgia School Of Law where he received his L.L.B. in 1948.

After ten years of legal service Judge Smith initiated his historical journey when he was elected to the Georgia Legislature as State Representative of Grady County, where he served from 1958 to 1966, and was also elected as Speaker of the House. In 1966, Judge Smith shifted his focus to the executive branch when he was elected as Lieutenant Governor of Georgia over the incumbent. Lastly, Judge Smith made history and became a member of the judicial branch in 1976 when he was elected to serve a six-year term with the Georgia Court of Appeals.

Despite having made history, Judge Smith was determined to attain his ultimate goal of becoming a Justice on the Georgia Supreme Court. In 1980, he accomplished this goal when he was elected to the Supreme Court of Georgia, where he diligently served until 1991 when he reached the compulsory age of retirement and returned to private practice at Barnes, Browning, Tanksley and Casurella, now Browning & Smith, LLC.

Judge Smith continued to play an active role at Browning & Smith, LLC, where he was a living resource for our attorneys as well as a dedicated advocate for our clients. Judge Smith applies the same zeal and ardor to every case he handles, as he did on the court, while simultaneously requiring the same from everyone who works around him. Lovingly seen as the patriarch of our firm, Judge Smith’s wisdom and expertise helped Browning & Smith, LLC achieve and maintain its reputation for leadership, experience and personal service. After a short illness in the Fall of 2010 Judge Smith passed away and continues to be sorely missed.