Catherine Mims Smith is from Thomasville, Georgia. She attended Thomas County Central High School. She has a bachelor’s degree in English and history from Wesleyan College and a Juris Doctor from the University of Georgia School of Law. She lives in Thomasville with her husband, four children, and six grandchildren. They attend the Dawson Street Methodist Church.

Catherine is a Senior Assistant District Attorney for the Thomas County District Attorney, where she has been for fourteen years. She previously worked as the Chief Assistant Public Defender for the Southern Judicial Circuit, as an attorney at the Whitehurst Firm, and a solo-practitioner at her own firm, the Law Office of Catherine M Williams.

Catherine Mims Smith’s campaign for Superior Court Judge of the Southern Judicial Circuit is her first entry into politics. The Southern Judicial Circuit covers Brooks, Colquitt, Lowndes, and Thomas Counties.

GA Bar

Catherine is an active member of the State Bar of Georgia in good standing.  She has no public disciplinary actions on record.

- Catherine is an active member of the State Bar of Georgia in good standing.  She has no public disciplinary actions on record.

Ethics & Conduct

Valdosta Daily Times

Catherine is a Senior Assistant District Attorney for the Thomas County District Attorney. As a Senior Assistant District Attorney, Catherine charged and tried cases against people accused of felonies. She is a member of the Georgia Gang Investigators Association which focused on prosecuting criminal street gangs.

Previously, Catherine was the Chief Public Defender for the Southern Judicial Circuit. As a public defender, she represented low income defendants accused of committing a felony.

Previously, Catherine was an attorney in private practice. As an attorney, she litigated criminal matters where she defended people accused of committing crimes. She also litigated civil matters, primarily in family law. She represented parents accused of neglecting or abusing their children and served as a Guardian Ad Litem.  As a guardian ad litem, she is appointed by the court to investigate a case, report her findings, and make a recommendation based upon the best interests of the child.

- Catherine is a Senior Assistant District Attorney for the Thomas County District Attorney. As a Senior Assistant District Attorney, Catherine charged and tried cases against people accused of felonies. She is a member of the Georgia Gang Investigators Association which focused on prosecuting criminal street gangs. 
- Previously, Catherine was the Chief Public Defender for the Southern Judicial Circuit. As a public defender, she represented low income defendants accused of committing a felony. 
- Previously, Catherine was an attorney in private practice. As an attorney, she litigated criminal matters where she defended people accused of committing crimes. She also litigated civil matters, primarily in family law. She represented parents accused of neglecting or abusing their children and served as a Guardian Ad Litem.  As a guardian ad litem, she is appointed by the court to investigate a case, report her findings, and make a recommendation based upon the best interests of the child.

Legal Experience

As of May 1, 2022, Catherine Mims Smith’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Judicial Philosophy

Judicial Administration

Catherine was involved in the creation of Treehouse, a Child Advocacy Center for Thomas County.

- Catherine was involved in the creation of Treehouse, a Child Advocacy Center for Thomas County.

Community Involvement

Catherine Mims Smith

- Georgia Superior Court Judges hear a wide range of criminal cases from petty theft and public drunkenness to murder. Some cases in front of the Georgia Superior Court involve the death penalty. 
- On the civil side, Superior Court Judges hear cases on divorce, titles to land, contract disputes, and premises liability. 
- Superior Court Judges are elected by judicial circuit. Each county surrounding Atlanta has its own judicial circuit, while rural judicial districts typically consist of multiple counties.
- Superior Court Judges are elected to four year terms. Elections are nonpartisan. The Governor can appoint Superior Court Judges when vacancies arise. 