By Michael Motes

The "continuing saga" of the Ivy Street property owned by the Archdiocese of Atlanta stands out in the mind of Alex Smith, Jr., as one of the most interesting events that have taken place in the more than 15 years he has served as counsel to the Archdiocese.

"The complex negotiations, sale and problems related to the Ivy Street property has been a continuing saga for years and now the real estate crunch has brought about other problems," the well-known Atlanta attorney said in discussing some of the more memorable events in his career serving the Church in North Georgia as legal advisor.

Born Alexander Wyly Smith, III, in Atlanta on June 9, 1923, the archdiocesan counsel is the son of the late Alexander Wyly and Laura (Payne) Smith.

Following his graduation from Marist in 1941, Alex attended the College of the Holy Cross in Worchester, Massachusetts. His education was interrupted by World War II and from January 1943 to January 1946, he served in the United States Army Air Force, having assignments in the United States, England and France.

Following his discharge, he entered the University of Georgia and received his Bachelor of Business Administration Degree there in 1948. The following year brought his Bachelor of Laws Degree Cum Laude.

Having been a partner in the firm of Smith, Cohen, Ringel, Kohler and Martin and its predecessor firms since 1949, Smith can't get accustomed to the recent appearance of advertising for legal services.

"I guess I've been in the business too long to even consider such a practice," he says. "Personally, I find advertising your legal service repugnant and unprofessional."

Asked about the "do-it-yourself" divorce kits that appear in classified ads, Smith commented that he looks upon them "with great disfavor."

"Invariably," he says, "the parties involved go through more trouble and expense obtaining a divorce by such methods than they would if they had sought professional services in the beginning."

Having been retained by the late Archbishop Hallinan, Smith has seen the archdiocese grow into "big business" in the nearly two decades he has served as counsel.

"The legal services needed for the archdiocese run the full gamut," he says. "There are numerous real estate transactions which I and my colleagues and partners handle. We also prepare contracts, handle civil rights matters and have tax questions running the full spectrum of withholding, income tax and the like. The problems and services we deal with are the same as with any big business."

Although Canon Law does not enter into Smith's field as counsel, he does attend the Archdiocesan Association of Attorneys meeting in Washington each year, during which counsels from throughout the country meet with bishops to discuss mutual problems, such as dealing with legal aspects of abortion and parochial school aid.

In addition to organizations affiliated with his profession, including the Atlanta, State Bar of Georgia, and American Bar Associations, Lawyers Club of Atlanta, and the International Association of Insurance Counsels, Smith has held or is currently holding positions with numerous business, civic, and Church associations.

In church-related organizations, he serves as Catholic co-chairman of the National Conference of Christians and Jews, Director and Secretary of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Free Cancer Home, and is a member of the Archdiocese of Atlanta Finance Council, of which he is former chairman.

A parishioner of Christ the King, he is former chairman of the parish school board and past president of the St. Vincent de Paul Society. He has also served as a trustee of Holy Family Hospital and as director of the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce.

Among the other groups with which he is associated are the Kiwanis Club of Atlanta; Central Atlanta Progress, Inc.; Southwest Community Hospital; the John and Mary Franklin Foundation; Haverty Furniture Companies, Inc.; National Bank of Georgia, and the Audichron Company.

He is married to the former Betty Haverty, daughter of Mrs. Clarence Haverty and the late Mr. Haverty. They are the parents of Mrs. Thomas H. Cluderay, Clarence Haverty Smith, Mrs. Richard M. Brown, James Haverty Smith, Edward Kendrick Smith, Anthony Marion Smith, and William Rawson Smith. They are also the proud grandparents of five.

When he is relaxing, look for the counsel to the archdiocese on the golf course, trying to escape the "continuing saga" down on Ivy Street for a few hours.