Al Smith is a founding partner of the firm. He has exclusively practiced family law in Atlanta since 1985 including divorce, child custody and modifications and has specialized expertise in complex, high-income and large-asset divorces. Al is a frequent lecturer at family law seminars throughout the state of Georgia and the nation.
Al’s goal is to resolve all cases in the most efficient and least adversarial manner, while ensuring each client is protected and receives the most advantageous result. He understands that going through a divorce is one of the most difficult and trying times in a client’s life and finds satisfaction in providing sound legal counsel and guidance to his clients. Al encourages all of his clients to try and settle, but is always prepared to take a case to trial if necessary.
Prior to founding the firm, Al was a partner at Warner Mayoue & Bates. He is rated “AV Preeminent” by Martindale-Hubbell and is included in Best Lawyers in America. A native of Thomaston, Georgia, he and his wife have two adult children. When not practicing law, he enjoys traveling, Auburn athletics and spending time with his grandchildren.
EDUCATION
- University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, J.D., 1982
- Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama, B.A., 1979
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AND MEMBERSHIPS
- Fellow, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
- President, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Georgia Chapter, 2009–2010
- Board of Managers, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Georgia Chapter, 2001–2003
- Chairman, Family Law Section, Atlanta Bar Association, 1995–1996
- Board of Directors, Family Law Section, Atlanta Bar Association, 1993–1997
- Member, Old War Horse Lawyers Club
- Member, Family Law Section, American Bar Association
- Member, Family Law Section, State Bar of Georgia
- Member, Family Law Section, Atlanta Bar Association
HONORS AND AWARDS
- Rated “AV Preeminent” by Martindale-Hubbell
- Included in Best Lawyers in America, 2013–2025
- Best Lawyer of the Year – Family Law, Best Lawyers in America, 2019
- Named a Georgia Super Lawyer, Atlanta Magazine, 2004–2024
- Named Legal Elite, Georgia Trend Magazine, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2016
- Listed in the Bar Registry of Preeminent Lawyers
- Listed in Knights of the Bar
SEMINARS, LECTURES AND PUBLICATIONS
- Panelist, “Advanced Tax Issues in Divorce,” State Bar of Georgia, Family Law Section, Amelia Island, Florida
- Panelist, “Convocation Family and Trial Law on Professionalism,” Atlanta, Georgia
- Lecturer, “Til Death Do Us Part…or Until Something Better Comes Along: The Intersection of Family Law and Estate and Probate Law,” Atlanta Bar Association Estate Planning and Probate Section, Atlanta, Georgia
- Lecturer, “The Impact of the Economy and Attendant Tax Traps and Tax Tips,” American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Asheville, North Carolina
- Lecturer, “Tax Implications in Divorce,” American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Atlanta, Georgia
- Lecturer, “Tracing and Arguing Separate Property Issues,” American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Atlanta, Georgia
- Lecturer, “Unique Issues in Depositions,” State Bar of Georgia, Family Law Section, Amelia Island, Florida
- Lecturer, “The New Child Support Guidelines: What You Really Need To Know,” American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Atlanta, Georgia
- Lecturer, “Caught in the Middle: What’s a Psychologist to Do? Divorce and Custody Issues from a Legal Perspective,” Georgia Psychological Association, Asheville, North Carolina
- Lecturer, “Proof & Pitfalls of Hidden Income,” American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Atlanta, Georgia
- Lecturer, “Psychological Evaluations and Cross-Examination of Psychologists in Custody Cases,” Law Education Institute, Snowmass, Colorado
- Panel Member, “What Should the Impact of Serial Marriage be on Child Support?”, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Atlanta, Georgia
- Lecturer, “Hypothetical Tax Implications and Other Considerations in the Valuation of Assets,” Law Education Institute, Snowmass, Colorado
- Lecturer, “Electronic Evidence,” American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Atlanta, Georgia
- Moderator, “Objections at Trial,” American Bar Association, Family Law Section, Orlando, Florida
- Lecturer, “Family Law Discovery,” State Bar of Georgia, Family Law Section, Savannah, Georgia
- Lecturer, “Admissibility of Electronic Evidence,” American Bar Association, Family Law Section, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Lecturer, “Boilerplate Provisions,” American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Atlanta, Georgia
- Lecturer, “Discovery – What to Ask for and Where to Look,” State Bar of Georgia, Family Law Section, Savannah, Georgia
- Lecturer, “Mining for Gold: Analyzing Financial Documents,” State Bar of Georgia, Family Law Section, Amelia Island, Florida
- Lecturer, “What You Need to Know But Probably Don’t,” American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Atlanta, Georgia
- Lecturer, “Mediation: A Lawyer’s Perspective,” Family Mediation Association of Georgia, Atlanta, Georgia
- Lecturer, “The Business Valuation Expert in Domestic Relations Cases,” State Bar of Georgia, Family Law Section, Amelia Island, Florida
- Lecturer, “Discovery Techniques: What’s Enough and How to Find Those Hidden Assets,” American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Atlanta, Georgia
- Lecturer, “Preparing for Trial: Seeing the Forest and the Trees,” Atlanta Bar Association, Family Law Section, Atlanta, Georgia
