Attorneys

Billy Joe (B. J.) Smith (Deceased, 1932-1997)

The Honorable Billy Joe Smith, deceased (1932-1997), started practicing law around 1960 and remained a practicing lawyer until his death. Judge Smith served DeKalb County and the State of Georgia as a Magistrate Court Judge for over 20 years and in 1997 Governor Zell Miller commissioned him as Senior Judge for DeKalb County, Georgia. Judge Smith was well known around the Atlanta metropolitan area and around the State of Georgia. He was well liked and highly respected in the legal community. He traveled throughout the state speaking and lecturing on the law and the criminal justice system. He was a member of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America and a respected trial attorney. Prior to his death, B. J. Smith and his law partner Mr. O’Connell handled many cases together.