Judge J.D. and Mrs. Smith of Gainesville announce the engagement of their daughter Miss Joanna Elaine Smith to Mr. William Charles Nijem Jr., son of Mrs. Linda Nijem-Ryan of Tampa, Fla., and the late Dr. William C. Nijem Sr.

The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Mrs. Flo Pritchett Criss of Gainesville, the late Mr. John William Criss and the late Mr. and Mrs. Jessie D. Smith.

She is a 1999 graduate of Gainesville High School in Gainesville. She graduated in 2003 from Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C., with a bachelor's degree in communication. She received a doctorate in jurisprudence from the University of Georgia School of Law in Athens in 2007. She is employed as an attorney with Troutman Sanders LLP in Atlanta.

The groom-elect is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Salvatore "Sam" Maggiacomo of Tampa, the late Mrs. Margaret Linda Miggiacomo and the late Mr. and Mrs. Fred Joseph Nijem.

He is a 1994 graduate of the Maclay School in Tallahasse, Fla. He graduated in 1998 from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tenn., with a bachelor's degree in history and psychology. He received a doctorate in jurisprudence from the University of Florida Levin College of Law in Gainesville, Fla., in 2001. He is a partner with the law firm of Langdale Vallotton LLP in Valdosta.

The couple plan to wed Oct. 24, 2009, at First United Methodist Church in Gainesville.