Meet Trey

Jack “Trey” Goodwin, III was born to Jack and Debra Swords Goodwin, and is the oldest of 6 children. He was born and raised in Downtown Canton, Georgia. He graduated in 1997 from Cherokee High School to pursue his Bachelor of Science degree in Criminology at Florida State University. While attending Florida State University, Trey worked for the Florida State Attorney’s Office. Upon graduating with his undergraduate degree, he completed his Juris Doctorate degree at Oklahoma City University School of Law. During his time at Oklahoma City University, Trey volunteered his time with numerous organizations, and helped coach youth sports. 

Shortly after completing law school, Trey worked as the Senior Staff Attorney for the late Honorable Frank C. Mills, III, in the Superior Court of Cherokee County. During the 5 years Trey worked for Judge Mills, Trey reviewed and advised attorneys on over 150 adoptions, researched and drafted hundreds of legal opinions, attended both quarterly and yearly budget meetings with Cherokee County leaders, closed out thousands of idle cases on the Court’s docket, in addition to attending both criminal and civil court on a daily basis.

Currently, Trey works as an Associate Magistrate Judge for Cherokee County and has been in that role since 2016. Additionally, he and his wife, Holly, operate his law firm, Atlanta Adoption & Family Law at their main location in Downtown Canton. While serving as Associate Magistrate Judge, Trey has been known for his tough stance on crime, which he contributes to his mentor, the late Judge Frank C. Mills, III. Through both of these positions, he has been afforded the opportunity to help families and individuals through various aspects of the law. Trey’s law firm, Atlanta Adoption & Family Law is dedicated to helping build and maintain families through Estate Planning, Adoption, Family Law, and Juvenile Delinquency (criminal) matters. Despite loving his law firm and practicing as an attorney, Trey’s true passion is behind the bench helping individuals turn their lives around.  

Trey lives in Downtown Canton with his wife, Holly, a former Special Education Teacher for Cherokee County, and their 2-year-old Golden Retriever, named Gunner. In their free time, they love to travel, help in their local community, and attend Woodstock City Church.

Most importantly, is Trey’s love for Cherokee County. Attending college and law school in various parts of the country allowed Trey the opportunity to choose to pursue careers in other states. However, his heart always belonged to Cherokee County, Georgia.

Trey’s Cherokee roots grow deep. He is the 5th generation of his family to reside and work in Cherokee County. Trey’s father, Jack Goodwin, Jr., served for 12 years on Canton’s City Council, serving as Mayor Pro Tem. In addition to serving on the Canton City Council, he helped establish the first teen Republican Party over 40 years ago and was instrumental with helping complete the Etowah River Park Project. He continues to support the county through a variety of organizations and friendships forged over the years. Trey’s namesake, Jack Goodwin, Sr., grew up and worked at a local pharmacy in Downtown Canton before starting his career with Lockheed. He retired from Lockheed after more than 30 years of service. After retirement, he then continued to build and maintain relationships with co-workers, friends from church, and neighbors, with weekly breakfast gatherings nearby. Trey’s mother, Debra Swords Goodwin, worked as a Registered Nurse for Dr. William Nichols, Dr. Homer “Nugget” Gold, and Dr. Harry Davis. Debra is a former member of The Service League of Cherokee County, as well as a founding member of their yearly event, Riverfest. His grandfather, Dr. Edwin Swords, was one of the first dentists in Canton, Georgia and owned and operated the infamous restaurant, The Burger Chief.

Trey’s uncle, Dr. Edwin Swords, married to his aunt, Dana Swords, continues to provide excellent dental care for the citizens of Cherokee County at Swords & Phelps Dentistry. In addition, Trey’s aunt, Denise Swords, served as Senior Vice President of Operations of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta for 28 years and was a founding partner of Camillia Place Assisted Living Facility in Woodstock, Georgia.

All of Trey’s siblings have chosen to establish their families and businesses in Cherokee County as well. One of his sisters, Courtney Goodwin Moss, a local attorney, and former Associate Magistrate Judge, established her law firm, Goodwin Moss & Greene, PC in Canton. His youngest sister, Beth Howard, owned and operated, SweetPea 3D/4D, an elective ultrasound boutique previously located in Downtown Canton, while two of his brothers, Nic and Stephen Goodwin are successful realtors with ERA Realty, based in both Canton and Woodstock, Georgia.

As anyone knows, it takes more than judicial experience to serve as a Chief Magistrate Judge. While Trey has 8 years of experience as an Associate Magistrate Judge, and close to 20 years of experience in the legal field, little can replace the desire to love and serve your local community you were born and raised in.

How will Trey serve the citizens of Cherokee County?

Trey is dedicated to his family, friends, and the fellow citizens of Cherokee County. He is qualified, committed, and ready to serve and uphold the laws of the State of Georgia.  

Trey is licensed to practice law in the State of Georgia and is admitted to practice law in the Georgia State Courts, Georgia Court of Appeals, Georgia Supreme Court, and the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia.

• Trey is committed to upholding the Rule of Law and ensuring fairness and impartiality in the judicial process.

• Trey is committed to upholding the Constitution.

• Trey is committed to promoting justice for all and protecting the rights of all individuals.

• Trey is committed to applying the law with integrity and respect for the legal system. 

• Trey is committed to working with other branches of government to ensure effective administration of justice.

• Trey is committed to the safety of our community.

• As a business owner, Trey is dedicated to bringing sensible and effective solutions to the Court to assure that your cases move efficiently, and the citizens throughout Cherokee County will continue to receive exceptional judicial services.