Judge Jaletta Smith was appointed by Governor Brian Kemp to Gwinnett County State Court with the creation of a new division and has quickly established herself as an accessible and hard working judge.

Jaletta has deep roots in Gwinnett. Her grandmother, Mary Frazier Long, was born in Lawrenceville and Jaletta attended and graduated from Dacula Elementary, Middle, and High School. She then received her undergraduate degree with honors from Clemson University. After returning home and serving in the Gwinnett County Solicitor General’s Office as a legal assistant, Jaletta decided to pursue a legal career. She graduated with highest honors from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock Bowen School of Law.

After law school, Jaletta served as a staff attorney for the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas (the Honorable Kristine G. Baker) and the Arkansas Supreme Court (the Honorable Karen Baker, Courtney Hudson, and Robert L. Brown (retired)). She eventually landed at the Georgia Supreme Court (the Honorable Britt C. Grant), which allowed her to return home to Georgia. Before being appointed to the bench, Jaletta worked as a litigation associate at Andersen, Tate & Carr, where she represented individuals and businesses in civil proceedings with a focus on appellate advocacy.

Beyond the bench, Jaletta believes in using her time, treasure, and talents to improve her community. That’s why she has volunteered with and supported the State Bar of Georgia, Gwinnett County Bar Association, Gwinnett County Library Foundation, Rally on the Runway, Relay for Life, Tutu Capers, and the Atlanta Food Bank’s Georgia Legal Food Frenzy. Jaletta has also served as a Board member for the Atlanta Clemson Club and the Clemson Alumni Association. During her husband’s military service, Jaletta served as a Sunday School teacher for military children and organized meal deliveries for fellow military families.

Jaletta and her husband Andy, along with their children, have made their home in Peachtree Corners.