EDUCATION
L. Clayton Smith, Jr., was born in 1954 and was educated in the Fulton and DeKalb County School Systems. He graduated in 1975 from the University of Georgia, Terry College of Business with a Bachelor of Business Administration, majoring in Real Estate and Urban Development. Clayton graduated in three years Summa Cum Laude with General Honors. In 1978 Clayton graduated from the University of Georgia, Lumpkin Law School in the top 25% of his class and was admitted to the State Bar of Georgia.
WORK HISTORY
He began his practice in Albany, Georgia with the firm of Hatcher & Strickland which became Strickland & Smith. He then joined the U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Prisons as a staff attorney in Washington D.C. and served as Assistant Regional Counsel for the Southeastern Region of the Bureau of Prisons. In 1988 he returned to Albany, Georgia to join the firm of Perry Walters & Lippitt. He opened his solo practice in 1994 which became Smith & Flowers Law, P.C. in 2016.
EXPERIENCE
Clayton is experienced in most areas of general practice. These include all types of general litigation; Wills and Probate; Social Security Disability; Business Creation and Corporate Transactions; Residential and Commercial Real Estate closings and re-finances; Environmental Law; Divorce, Custody and Child Support Modifications. Over his career Clayton has developed a level of expertise in the areas of real estate and adoption. Other law firms refer difficult title issues to him for his knowledge and patience in curing title defects. He has also acquired a depth of knowledge equal to his passion for creating families through adoptions. His two children are adopted and it is his privilege to assist other families when God puts the right child in the right home at the appointed time.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Clayton served on the Board of Directors and as Chairman of the Board for Open Arms, Inc., a shelter for abused or neglected children and young adults for ten years. He is a member and past president of the Exchange Club of Albany whose National Project is the prevention of child abuse. He has served on the board and as President of the Humane Society of Albany. He and his wife, Jan Abbott Smith, have been active members of Byne Memorial Baptist Church since 1978. They are the proud parents of two daughters and the downright boastful grandparents of four grandchildren.
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
Clayton has for many years been a member of the State Bar of Georgia, the American Bar Association, the Dougherty Circuit Bar Association and the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association.
PERSONAL
When he is not working, Clayton spends his leisure time watching his grandchildren’s ball games, playing with antique cars or playing at golf. Many a hacker has played golf with Clayton only to leave the course convinced that their game is not that bad after all. Clayton is clearly more committed to his church, his family and his clients than to his golf game.
ASSOCIATIONS
American Bar Association
State Bar of Georgia
CONTACT INFO
504 Jefferson St
Albany, GA 31701
Phone: 229-434-1070
Email: clayton@smithandflowerslaw.com