John Preston Smith

John Preston Smith

also known as John P. Smith, J. P. Smith

4.2
Rating: 9.7

Licensed for 25 years

Divorce and separation Lawyer at Athens, GA
Practice Areas: Divorce & Separation, Child Custody, Domestic Violence ... +2 more

P.O. Box 81507, Athens, GA

About John

Biography

Practice Areas

5

Practice Areas

Divorce and Separation 30%

26 years | 500 cases

30%
Child Custody 20%

26 years | 200 cases

20%
Domestic Violence 20%

26 years | 200 cases

20%
Child Support 15%

26 years | 200 cases

15%
Family 15%

26 years | 200 cases

15%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Hourly Rates

$ 250-250 per hour

Retainer

Always


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in Georgia for 25 years

State: Georgia

Acquired: 2000

Active Member in Good Standing

No misconduct found

Location

J.P. Smith Law

P.O. Box 81507, Athens, GA, 30601

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John Preston Smith's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.2 /5.0

5 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (5) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 1 of 1 review | Professionalism

Posted by anonymous | January 20, 2016 | Hired Attorney

Custody Settlement Modification

Mr. Smith had issues with listening to what I wanted as a client. He literally billed me for a process that I did not agree to (I asked him to look into the issue and would confirm with him whether to proceed). His lack of comprehension as to my dismay further supports my experience that he has is...sues with listening, comprehension or underlying biases that he himself is unaware of.

John Smith

Replied last January 20, 2016

I am always ready to discuss any aspect of my client's case with them especially if there is some dissatisfaction. This post is anonymous and I have received no direct complaints from any past or existing clients. I urge the writer to contact me immediately. Lawyers need to be good listeners with as little bias as possible. I believe I do that and make great effort to hear and comprehend everything my clients tell me and work with them to achieve a beneficial result in their individual matters.

See All Client Reviews

John Preston Smith's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse John
Jerry Arlen Daniels headshot
Jerry Daniels

Divorce and separation lawyer | Aug 09

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer."

Stephen Anthony Power headshot
Stephen Power

Child custody lawyer | Aug 09

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer."

Stacy Snyder Garguilo headshot
Stacy Garguilo

Family lawyer | Aug 04

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"John is an experienced family law attorney offering his clients the knowledge and experience necessary for successful results."

Tony Alto Taylor headshot
Tony Taylor

Child support lawyer | Mar 04

Relationship: Supervised lawyer

"John is a kindhearted family lawyer but aggressive when necessary."

Christine Nalbone Scartz headshot
Christine Scartz

Divorce and separation lawyer | Mar 04

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"John is a compassionate and aggressive negotiator."

Tyler Allen Moore headshot
Tyler Moore

Divorce and separation lawyer | Feb 24

Relationship: Co-worker

"John is an attorney with a unconventionally genious strategic approach."

Laura Suzanne Coates headshot
Laura Coates

Divorce and separation lawyer | Feb 23

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"John is an extremely intelligent attorney."

Sherry Dawn Lankford headshot
Sherry Lankford

Divorce and separation lawyer | Feb 23

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"John is very efficient and honest."

Mark Hill headshot
Mark Hill

Divorce and separation lawyer | Feb 23

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"John is an attorney who knows everything about what's involved with complicated divorce."

Caitlin Elizabeth Herndon headshot
Caitlin Herndon

Family lawyer | Oct 03

Relationship: Co-worker

"John Smith is an excellent attorney and a wealth of knowledge. I am grateful to have someone with his experience as a resource I can turn to. John cares deeply about his clients and is dedicated to providing the highest quality legal representation possible."

Wesley Wade Wilson headshot
Wesley Wilson

Family lawyer | Oct 02

Relationship: Co-worker

"John is an amazing lawyer who is extremely dedicated to his clients. He is very thoughtful and thorough with his legal work. He is a great asset to his firm and to the community at large. With his vast knowledge and experience in the Family law field, there aren't many better attorneys that you could have advocating on your behalf."

Lindsey Rae Harrison headshot
Lindsey Harrison

Family lawyer | Oct 01

Relationship: Co-worker

"John and I have worked at the same firm for some time now. John is both excellent in court and one of the best legal writers that I have had the pleasure of coming in contact with. He is knowledgeable in many areas of family law, but his expertise in cases involving military families has proved to be a particularly helpful resource. I wholeheartedly recommend him."

David Benton Purvis headshot
David Purvis

Divorce and separation lawyer | Oct 01

Relationship: Co-worker

"John has a wealth of experience that makes him invaluable to our clients and our firm. I go to John anytime I need advice on a case; our clients should rest easy at night knowing John is representing them on their case. He is an outstanding family law attorney that I would wholeheartedly recommend to anyone."

Michael Eric Manely headshot
Michael Manely

Family lawyer | Jan 30

Relationship: Supervised lawyer

"I endorse this lawyer. John is the most straight forward attorney I know. His smooth style and rock solid disposition results from years of success in the Courtroom."

David Isaac Schachter headshot
David Schachter

Unknown lawyer | Jan 23

Relationship: Co-worker

"I am grateful to have John as a co-worker. He is smart, conscientious, hard-working and has a lot of common sense. John also possesses a vast amount of knowledge and experience. I endorse him without reservation."

Melanie Ann Brubaker headshot
Melanie Brubaker

Family lawyer | Oct 30

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer's work. John is a great family law attorney!"

View All Endorsements
Stacy Snyder Garguilo headshot
Stacy Garguilo

Divorce and separation lawyer

Stephen Anthony Power headshot
Stephen Power

Family lawyer

Laura Suzanne Coates headshot
Laura Coates

Family lawyer

Sherry Dawn Lankford headshot
Sherry Lankford

Family lawyer

Tyler Allen Moore headshot
Tyler Moore

Bankruptcy and debt lawyer

Christine Nalbone Scartz headshot
Christine Scartz

Family lawyer

Jerry Arlen Daniels headshot
Jerry Daniels

Bankruptcy and debt lawyer

Tony Alto Taylor headshot
Tony Taylor

Family lawyer

Cherese Chantell Clark headshot
Cherese Clark

Family lawyer

Wesley Wade Wilson headshot
Wesley Wilson

Family lawyer

Adam M. Sutton headshot
Adam Sutton

Family lawyer

David Benton Purvis headshot
David Purvis

Family lawyer

Lindsey Rae Harrison headshot
Lindsey Harrison

Family lawyer

Michael Eric Manely headshot
Michael Manely

Family lawyer

David Isaac Schachter headshot
David Schachter

Unknown lawyer

Experience

Rating:  9.7 (Superb)

Honors

2015

Premier Attorney, American Academy of Trial Attorneys

2013

Pro Bono Award, Cobb County Bar Association

Work Experience

2013 - 2017

Senior Associate, Daniels & Taylor, P.C.

2008 - 2009

Senior Associate, Stearns-Montgomery & Associates

2005 - 2007

Associate, Ballinger & Associates

2003 - 2005

Principal, Law Office of J. P. Smith

2000 - 2003

Associate, McGinnis & Chambers

Associations

2009 - Present

American Divorce Lawyers

Member

2009 - Present

Family Law Professionals

Member

2009 - Present

Collaborative Family Law Group

Member

2000 - Present

State Bar of Georgia, Family Law Section

Member

2000 - Present

Phi Alpha Delta

Member

2012 - 2017

Gwinnett County Bar Association

Member

Sample of Legal Cases

Chafin v. Chafin

Pending

Ms. P v. Mr. P

Custody to Mother with appropriate support

See More Legal Cases

Education

1999

University of Georgia

JD - Juris Doctor

1996

University of Georgia, Athens

BA

Speaking Engagements

2009

Divorce Resource: Radio Sandy Springs Medically Fragile Children in Divorce

Publications

1998

Legal Ethics The Law of Professional Responsibility

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

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What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
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Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution