In my youth, Swainsboro had many notable lawyers. This seems out of proportion that my small hometown would have such a large and prominent group of attorneys. Robert Humphrey, Ivy Roundtree, John B. Spivey, Felix Williams, Alonso Woods, Alfred Herrington, John Powell are the ones I remember. Before them came Jake Smith (grandfather of Joyce Smith). “Reading law with Jake Smith” was the ambition for aspiring counselors of Emanuel County and other areas. Reading/learning the law from this legal expert was the means of passing the bar exam. After this preparation, and success with the bar exam, the young man could start his practice and be known as “Attorney at Law”. Note, this only refers to men. It would be many years until females were accepted to study or practice law. I think time spent studying with Jake Smith was similar to today’s time spent clerking with an experienced attorney. My father came all the way from Canoochee to Swainsboro to learn the Georgia Codes of law from Jake Smith. During this time, he boarded with the Smith family and was roommate with young Dr. Dess. He successfully completed the instruction time. I was told by others that he knew the Georgia codes “backwards and forwards.” However, for some unknown reason, he never took the bar exam. His work throughout his life was usually giving legal assistance, and he became a minor judge---but was never addressed as “Attorney at Law.” The home of Jake Smith was next door to my grandmother’s home on North Main Street and across from the Coleman House. It was a spooky looking place and surrounded by big trees that hung with Spanish moss. In my early years, his wife and daughter still lived there. I looked up law firms of Swainsboro today, and there are many. I found two familiar names, Spivey and Roundtree. I wonder if this legacy goes back to Jake Smith. Also, I was happy to see females among the group. Write to Shirley at sptwiss@gmail.com.
