Robert H. Smalley III - Dalton, GA
Attorney at McCamy, Phillips, Tuggle & Fordham, LLP
Insurance Lawyers in Dalton, GA
411 West Crawford Street Dalton, GA 30720
- Free Consultation
Dalton Insurance Lawyer
Updated: 07/22/2026
Areas of Practice
- Insurance 20%
- Personal Injury 20%
- Labor & Employment 15%
- Workers' Compensation 15%
- Trusts & Estate 10%
- Zoning/Land Use 10%
- Contract 5%
- Corporations 5%
Litigation: 80%
Attorney Information
Overview
Robert is an AV Preeminent rated attorney, with a wide range of experience in many areas of the law. Robert excels in wrongful death, personal injury, worker's compensation, local government law, commercial litigation and alternative dispute resolution.
Since commencing his practice in 1992 in Georgia and 1993 in Tennessee, Robert has handled countless complex matters, representing both plaintiffs and defendants in difficult and contentious litigation in State and Federal Courts. Due to his diverse practice, Robert has developed a unique understanding of how to manage controversies and how to achieve the right result for his clients.
In 2001, Robert was named Whitfield County Attorney and has held that position since. In that capacity Robert represents the County Board of Commissioners and all elected officials, and provides legal advice to many local agencies. He also serves as counsel to many other local governments in Georgia with respect particular matters that arise from time to time, including the National Opioid litigation, Insulin litigation, and tax assessor matters.
In 2002, the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia appointed Robert as Liaison Counsel in the nationwide Tri State Crematory Litigation. He was tasked with coordinating nearly 1,500 claimants through the years-long federal litigation. Robert's steady hand, genuine care for the victims and tough strategy led to a stunning multi-million dollar result against the nearly fifty funeral home defendants involved in the class action.
In 2007, Robert was again tasked with leadership in a multi-district litigation, regarding tainted Peter Pan peanut butter. In Re: ConAgra Peanut Butter litigation consisted of thousands of injured plaintiffs and approximately 1500 cases. Robert negotiated hundreds of settlements for the victims in the case and was commended by the appointing court for his diligence in the matter.
In addition to his complex litigation experience, Robert has handled a number of wrongful death cases and catastrophic personal injury cases to conclusion over his career, including a jury verdict in 1997 that was among the largest personal injury verdicts ever awarded in Whitfield County at the time.
Given his extensive experience, even-handed demeanor, and ability to get along with all sides, Robert has built a successful mediation practice in North Georgia and the surrounding areas. Over the last 20 years, Robert has successfully mediated a wide range of cases, including personal injury cases, estate matters, commercial disputes, condemnation matters and domestic relation cases. Robert is particularly proud of his track record of resolving complicated and complex matters brought to him for mediation. In addition to his mediation practice, Robert has been appointed on a number of occasions as an arbitrator or special master, both by Courts and by private attorneys.
In addition to his professional experience, Robert has given freely of his time in the local community and to organizations promoting the profession.
Robert has served since 1998 as a trustee of the Whitfield Healthcare Foundation, supporting the local hospital. From 2009-2015, he led the organization as Chairman, completing a $6.2 million dollar capital campaign. He presently serves as Chairman of the Signature Gifts Committee of the Foundation.
Robert also served as Chairman for the Greater Dalton Chamber of Commerce for two terms during 2013 and 2014, leading that thousand-member organization and chairing the search committee for a new Chamber President.
Robert has been equally active in his church, First Presbyterian Church of Dalton. He is an elder and served as Chairman of its Building Committee. He also serves the national church on the General Assembly Permanent Judicial Council and he is a past moderator of the Cherokee Presbytery, for all the churches in North Georgia.
Robert has been elected every other year since 2010 to represent his local Bar as a member of the State of Georgia Board of Bar Governors. He was appointed to a six-year term in 2025 to the State Bar of Georgia Disciplinary Committee. He also serves as Vice Chair of the Local Government Section of the State Bar in 2025 and Chair in 2026.
Robert graduated from Davidson College in 1989 and continued his education at the University of Georgia School of Law where he graduated with honors in 1992. He is licensed to practice law in Georgia and Tennessee, and is admitted to all appellate courts in Georgia and Tennessee, along with Federal Courts in both states, including the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals.
Education
Legal Education
-
University of Georgia School of Law,
Athens,
Georgia, 1992
J.D.
Honors: cum laude
Non Legal Education
-
Davidson College,
Davidson,
North Carolina, 1989
A.B.
Major: Religion
Current Employment Position(s)
-
Partner
Languages
-
English
Pro Bono Activities
- Georgia Legal Services Pro Bono Project, 1992 - Present
Representative Clients
Whitfield County, Georgia
Shaw Industries Inc.
Georgia Farm Bureau Mutual Ins. Co.
Graphic Tufting Center, Inc.
Housing Authority of City of Dalton
Whitfield County Board of Health
Sanco, Inc.
Representative Cases
-
In re:Tri State Crematory Litigation
- Court: Northern District Georgia
- Year: 2002
-
In re:ConAgra Peanut Butter Litigation
- Court: Northern District Georgia
- Year: 2007
Bar Admissions
- Georgia, 1992
- Tennessee, 1993
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Georgia
- U.S. Court of Appeals 11th Circuit
- Supreme Court of Georgia
- Georgia Court of Appeals
- U.S. District Court Middle District of Georgia
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Tennessee
Other Affiliations
- Conasauga Bar Association, 1996 - 1997 (President)
- State Bar of Georgia, 2010 - Present (Member, Board of Governors)
- Federal Defender (Board of Directors)
- Lumpkin American Inn of Court, 1998 - 2000
- Rotary Club of Dalton, 1995 - Present (Member)
- United Way, 1999 - 2000 (Board Member)
- Early Head Start, 1995 - Present (Board Member)
- Whitfield - Dalton Day Care Board, 2001 - Present (Board Member)
- Whitfield County Hospital Authority, 2001 - Present (Chairman)
- Greater Dalton Chamber of Comm., 2013 - 2014 (Chairman of Board)
- Greater Dalton Chamber of Comm., 2008 - Present (Executive Board Member)
- Greater Dalton Chamber of Comm., 1994 - Present (Legislative Action Committee)
- Greater Dalton Chamber of Comm., 1995 - 1996 (Leadership Dalton-Whitfield)
- Whitfield Healthcare Foundation, 2010 - Present (Chairman, Board of Trustees)
- Whitfield Healthcare Foundation, 2006 - 2009 (Chairman, Business Relations Comm.)
- Whitfield Healthcare Foundation, 2009 - Present (Member, Board of Trustees )
- Whitfield County Hospital Authority, 2000 - 2001 (Chairman)
- Whitfield County Hospital Authority, 1996 - 2001 (Member)
- Cherokee Presbytery Northwest GA., 1994 - Present (Permanent Judicial Council)
- Cherokee Presbytery Northwest GA., 2007 - 2014 (Committee on Ministry)
- Cherokee Presbytery Northwest GA. (Delegate, 2012 General Assembly of Presbyterian Church (USA))
- First Presbyterian Church, Dalton (Ruling Elder)
- First Presbyterian Church, Dalton (Chairman, Building Committee)
Fraternities and Sororities
- Kappa Sigma
- Phi Alpha Delta
Photo
Contact
411 West Crawford Street
Dalton, GA 30720
Phone Number: 706-508-4292
Fax Number: 706-278-5002
Email: Send a message
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