Firm Overview

Experienced Georgia Criminal Law, Family Law, and Personal Injury Attorneys

At Smith, Schroeder & O'Connell, our fundamental success as a law firm has been in building quality relationships with our clients. All of our clients are treated with respect for their individual goals and objectives.

Our dedication to quality, understanding of the law, trust and respect are the foundation of our long-standing relationships with clients in the community. We know how to select a jury; how to prepare for trial; and how to present the kind of compelling evidence that assists today's sophisticated jurors to clarify the issues and decide a case. Our firm's relationship with our community gives us a thorough understanding of the cultural and financial factors that influence jurors' points of view. This insight helps our clients achieve successful outcomes. Our firm's dedication to legal excellence, personal service, and intelligent, aggressive advocacy has led to our unparalleled reputation in the legal community. We stress personal attention, responsiveness, and accessibility. Our straightforward, plain-spoken approach will help you make decisions that resolve your particular legal need in a manner that is effective, expeditious and affordable.

John James (Jim) O'Connell, Jr. is one of the founding members of Smith, Schroeder & O'Connell. Mr. O'Connell founded the firm with the Honorable Billy Joe (B. J.) Smith, deceased (1932-1997), and Gregory Z. Schroeder, deceased (1950-2000). Judge Smith was in private practice for many years, served as a magistrate court judge for over 20 years and in 1997 Governor Zell Miller commissioned him as Senior Judge for DeKalb County, State of Georgia. Mr. Schroeder practiced law for many years and represented clients in the areas of divorce, criminal law, probate, wills and trusts and bankruptcy. Mr. O'Connell is licensed to practice law in Georgia and Montana, has practiced law for over twenty years and handles all types of legal matters and cases, including representing clients in litigation, trial and appellate matters. Mr. O'Connell was also the sole and lead trial and appellate counsel for a leading residential nuisance, trespass and water invasion case in the State of Georgia.

Smith, Schroeder & O'Connell also works closely with William (Bill) K. Travis, who is "Of Counsel" to the firm. Mr. Travis practiced law with Mildred L. Kingloff, deceased (1910-1998) from 1974 until her death and represents clients in the areas of family law and divorce. Ms. Kingloff was in private practice from 1930 until her death.