William J. Smith
Georgia attorney William J. Smith represents clients in foreclosure, title, and eviction litigation, landlord-tenant matters, employment law, and business/commercial law. William also represents victims of excessive force by law enforcement. He has successfully obtained numerous settlements for his clients in employment, whistleblower, and business/commercial law matters — including settlements and loan modifications on behalf of clients from several major loan servicers throughout the country. William has also successfully litigated cases in the Georgia Court of Appeals, the Georgia Supreme Court, and the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals. For example, in 2016, William successfully represented a homeowner in the Georgia Court of Appeals, and obtained a reversal of the trial court's order dismissing the homeowner's claim for wrongful foreclosure and for violation of Georgia's RICO statute. See Mbigi v. Wells Fargo Home Mortg., 336 Ga. App. 316 (2016). The Georgia Real Property Law Institute described that case as a case that “everyone will know by one name.”
William has been recognized as one of the “Top 40 under 40” by The National Black Lawyers.
William received a Juris Doctor and Certificate in Advanced Legal Writing, Research and Drafting from Mercer University’s Walter F. George School of Law. William also received a Master of Business Administration from Mercer University’s Stetson School of Business.
William received his undergraduate degree from Duke University, where he was a member of the football team.
Prior to opening SMITH LAW, William worked at a plaintiffs’ law firm representing individuals in foreclosure, title and eviction litigation, landlord tenant matters, and employment law; and at a defense firm representing banks, lenders, loan servicers, and other insured parties in title, foreclosure, eviction, and bankruptcy litigation.
William is married to Louise. They are the proud parents of two children, Alana and William Smith. William enjoys spending time with his family, playing with the family dog, and rooting for the Duke Blue Devils.
Memberships
- American Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division, Labor and Employment Law Committee
- Atlanta Bar Association
- National Employment Lawyers Association (Georgia Chapter)
Education
- J.D., Walter F. George School of Law, Mercer University
- ABA Award for Excellence in Labor & Employment Law
- Robert F. Wagner National Labor & Employment Law Moot Court Competition (participant and coach)
- M.B.A. (magna cum laude), Stetson School of Business, Mercer University
- B.A., History and Religion, Duke University
Admitted
- All Magistrate, State, and Superior courts in the State of Georgia
- United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia
- United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia
- Court of Appeals of Georgia
- Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals
