Richard McNeely is a product of Emanuel County through and through. He was born and raised here and graduated from Swainsboro High School in 1979.
He continued his education at East Georgia College for two years, then moved to Athens to become a Georgia Bulldog. He finished his bachelor’s in 1983 and, three years later, earned his law degree.
Richard returned home after college and joined Rountree, Cadle, and McNeely. In 2003, he started his own law firm.
His involvement with the county government as attorney dates back to January 2018. He was appointed to the role by the commissioners upon the exit of previous longtime attorney Franklin Edenfield.
Richard is married to Renae Ward McNeely. Their family includes son Rick, daughter-in-law Sydney, grandson Murdock, daughter Rachel, son-in-law Beau, and granddaughters Elyce and Juliet. Spending time with them is Richard’s preferred way to unwind, but he enjoys fishing, hunting, and going to the lake as well.