Law School: Vermont Law School, JD 2001, Masters 2001
Undergraduate: Presbyterian College, BS, honors in biology 1994
Andrew (Andy) J. Welch, III, was born in Atlanta, Georgia and raised in McDonough. He graduated from Presbyterian College in 1994 where he received a Bachelor of Science with honors in biology. After college, Mr. Welch served as a U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer in Ghana, West Africa.
In 1997, Mr. Welch entered Vermont Law School. He also held a summer internship with the Natural Resources Defense Council in Washington, D.C. Mr. Welch served as Editor-in-Chief of the school's online environmental law journal and received academic honors for his performance in the school's moot court competition. Mr. Welch graduated from Vermont Law School with a Juris Doctor and Masters of Studies in Environmental Law.
After law school, Mr. Welch clerked for the U.S. Magistrate Judges for the Northern District of New York. Thereafter, Mr. Welch practiced with Devorsetz Stinziano Gilberti Heintz & Smith in Syracuse, New York where his practice primarily focused on zoning and land use law. Mr. Welch maintains his license to practice in both the Northern District of New York and the State of New York.
In June of 2002, Mr. Welch and his wife returned to McDonough and Mr. Welch joined the firm of Smith Welch & Brittain, LLP, becoming a managing partner in 2008. In May of 2011, Mr. Welch became a manager with Smith, Welch, Webb & White, LLC, where he represents clients in areas of general civil litigation, real estate, zoning and land use, environmental and municipal law.
Mr. Welch is actively involved in his community. In 2010, Mr. Welch was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives and serves on the Judiciary Committee, Education Committee, and Committee on Children & Youth. He served as the 2010 Chairman for the Henry County Chamber of Commerce. He also serves on Congressman Lynn Westmoreland's Transportation and Aviation Advisory Council. Mr. Welch is a Director on the Advisory Board for the Henry County branches of United Community Bank. Mr. and Mrs. Welch are the parents of Caleb and Sadie Welch and the family are active members of McDonough Presbyterian Church.