03/31/2021
Jodi Wich was honored for 25 years of service to Smith County during Commissioners Court on Tuesday, March 30.
“It’s been a rollercoaster through the years and there have been a lot of changes – both good and bad,” Ms. Wich, Court Administrator for County Court-at-Law 1, said. “I would say the good outweighs the bad. I have made a lot of friends working at Smith County, and most of them I will hold dear for a lifetime.”
County Court-at-Law Judge Jason Ellis said Ms. Wich has worked for a number of judges. While they have retired, she keeps working. He said she really cares about the people – both attorneys and parties – who come into their courtroom.
Ms. Wich began working for the District Attorney’s Office, as an assistant to CPS attorneys, when she was 19 years old. She wanted to work in the legal profession because she wanted to help people.
She became assistant coordinator for now retired 321st District Judge Carole Clark. She then worked as civil/family law coordinator and criminal coordinator, as well as served as office manager, for now retired County Court-at-Law 2 Judge Randall Rogers.
Ms. Wich currently serves as court administrator for County Court-at-Law 1 and has been in that position since Judge Ellis took office in 2015.
“I have done a little of everything over the years,” she said. “I have had to do a lot of problem solving that comes with the job.”
She said she takes all of the court cases personally because she knows each case is someone’s life and family involved. She does not take them lightly.
Judge Ellis said Ms. Wich treats them like family. “I just can’t say thank you enough to Jodi,” he said.
When asked if she has any plans to retire after 25 years, Ms. Wich said she will probably stay for a while. “I’m just seeing where God takes me. At the moment, it’s Smith County.”
