Firm Profile

Michael T. Smith

Michael T. Smith

Partner
MSMITH@AMRSLAW.COM

Mike is a life-long resident of Dacula, Georgia, having graduated from Dacula High School in 1985. He has a bachelor's degree from the University of Georgia in Geography (1989), and a Juris Doctorate degree from Georgia State University College of Law (1992). His practice is concentrated in probate/estate and conservatorship/guardianship work. Mike represents individuals, beneficiaries and fiduciaries, estates, trusts, conservatorships and guardianships in probate and superior courts around the State of Georgia. He also serves as executor, administrator and trustee in more than 300 cases per year on a continuing basis. In 1993, Mike was appointed to serve a four-year term as County Administrator/County Guardian by the Probate Court of Gwinnett County to represent estates and conservatorships in both legal and fiduciary capacities. Since then, Mike has been appointed to six additional terms, and is now in his 23rd year serving Gwinnett County estates and conservatorships as County Administrator/County Conservator. In both his private practice and in his official appointed capacity, Mike and his staff provide detailed legal service from beginning to end, including not only initial filings and formation, but also estate and trust administration, asset management, gift and estate tax planning, post mortem tax planning and drafting wills and trusts. He is also a speaker at seminars each year regarding probate estates, conservatorships and guardianships.

Mike grew up in Gwinnett County, attending his entire primary school years in the Dacula schools, and continues to live in the Dacula community. Mike is married to wife Jennifer, and has three children, Austin, Landon, and Morgan. The family attends Hebron Baptist Church in Dacula, Georgia. Hobbies include farming, basketball and motocross.

Probate attorney

Hillary Cranford

Attorney
HCRANFORD@AMRSLAW.COM

Hillary is a resident of Suwanee, Georgia and a native of metropolitan Atlanta. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Georgia in 2004 with degrees in both English and Advertising. Hillary attend the University of Georgia School of Law, where she obtained a Juris Doctor in 2007. From 2007 to 2014, Hillary served as staff attorney for the Gwinnett County Probate Court and law clerk for Judges Walter J. Clarke and Christopher A. Ballar. In November, 2014, Hillary was sworn in as the first Associate Judge of the Cobb County Probate Court, as appointed by Judge Kelli Wolk. In 2015, Hillary returned to Gwinnett and was sworn in as the first Associate Judge of the Gwinnett County Probate Court, where she served alongside Judge Ballar until June, 2019. Hillary joined the firm in July, 2019 and practices in the areas of fiduciary services, trust services, guardianships and conservatorships, and probate and estates. Hillary enjoys spending time with her husband, Brian, and two sons.

Probate attorney

Ali Grant

Attorney
AGRANT@AMRSLAW.COM

Hillary is a resident of Suwanee, Georgia and a native of metropolitan Atlanta. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Georgia in 2004 with degrees in both English and Advertising. Hillary attend the University of Georgia School of Law, where she obtained a Juris Doctor in 2007. From 2007 to 2014, Hillary served as staff attorney for the Gwinnett County Probate Court and law clerk for Judges Walter J. Clarke and Christopher A. Ballar. In November, 2014, Hillary was sworn in as the first Associate Judge of the Cobb County Probate Court, as appointed by Judge Kelli Wolk. In 2015, Hillary returned to Gwinnett and was sworn in as the first Associate Judge of the Gwinnett County Probate Court, where she served alongside Judge Ballar until June, 2019. Hillary joined the firm in July, 2019 and practices in the areas of fiduciary services, trust services, guardianships and conservatorships, and probate and estates. Hillary enjoys spending time with her husband, Brian, and two sons.

Probate attorney

Andrea Wagner

Paralegal
AWAGNER@AMRSLAW.COM

Andrea is a resident of Gwinnett County, Georgia. She graduated from Norcross High School in 1994. She holds a Bachelors Degree in Business Administration from Georgia State University, and serves as the senior Paralegal to attorney Mike Smith. Andrea has worked with private practice and court directed probate matters, guardianship, administrations and estate planning since 1995. Responsibilities include fiduciary oversight and management of case files, court planning, comptroller of fiduciary accounts and management of junior level assistants and related employees. Andrea also serves as the firm administrator.

Probate attorney

Morgan Russell

Forensic Paralegal
MRUSSELL@AMRSLAW.COM

Morgan is a resident of Barrow County in Winder, Georgia. She earned a Bachelor Degree in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Forensic Science from the University of North Georgia. Morgan serves as one of attorney Mike Smith's paralegals and assists him with cases involving estates and probate matters. She is also a resource for Mike's private clients who have been tasked with managing their loved one's affairs after they have passed. Morgan is a Texas native but was raised in Cumming, Georgia. She enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband, either shooting her bow or just sitting on the back porch with a book.

Probate attorney

Christie Kesler

Comptroller
CKESLER@AMRSLAW.COM

Christie is our Financial Comptroller for the estate and conservatorship accounts. Christie was born and raised in Gwinnett County, Georgia. She graduated from Meadowcreek High School. Christie and her husband live in the Hoschton area with their two children. Christie is an active volunteer with Gwinnett Sexual Assault Center and attends Free Chapel Worship Center. She enjoys spending time with family and watching her son's sporting events.