Governor Nathan Deal - Georgia’s 82nd Governor (2011-2019)

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Deal announces judicial appointments within Forsyth County

December 3, 2012

Gov. Nathan Deal today announced the appointment of the Hon. Philip C. Smith to the Superior Court of the Bell-Forsyth Judicial Circuit and the Hon. Leslie C. Abernathy to the State Court in Forsyth County. Smith fills the vacancy created by the passage of Senate Bill 356 during the 2012 Session of the Georgia General Assembly. Abernathy will fill the vacancy created by Judge Smith’s appointment to the Superior Court. All appointments will take effect upon swearing in.

Philip C. Smith, Bell-Forsyth Judicial Circuit
Smith has served as State Court judge of Forsyth County since 2003. He is a member of the board of governors of the State Bar of Georgia, the board of directors of the Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce, and the South Forsyth Rotary Club. Smith earned his bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt University and his law degree from the University of Georgia School of Law. He and his wife, Pamela, live in Cumming.
 
Leslie C. Abernathy, State Court of Forsyth County
Abernathy is the solicitor-general of Forsyth County. She is a member of the board of directors of CASA of Forsyth County and the Children’s Center for Hope and Healing, and she serves as vice chairperson for the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia. Abernathy earned her bachelor’s degree from North Georgia College and State University and her law degree from John Marshall Law School. She and her husband, Stephen Maddox, live in Cumming and have five children.