Title: Attorney at Law
Company: Cook & Tolley, LLP
Location: GA/USA
Education: JD, Walter F. George School of Law, Mercer University (2016); BSEd in Sport Management, University of Georgia (2011)
Career History: Associate, Cook & Tolley, LLP, Athens, GA (2016-Present); Summer Law Clerk, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Georgia, Savannah, GA (2015); Intern for Hon. C. Ashley Royal, United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia (2014); Intern, United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Georgia, Savannah Division; Intern, Federal Public Defender’s office for the Middle District of Georgia
Edward Spencer Tolley, Esq., Attorney at Law at Cook & Tolley LLP, has been recognized as a Marquis Emerging Leader for their contributions and achievements in the field of law.
Motivated by his parents’ unwavering support and the influence of his close-knit community in Athens, Georgia, Mr. Tolley has built an accomplished career as a successful civil and criminal litigator at the firm since 2016. His father, Edward, is an accomplished lawyer in his own right and he sought to follow in those footsteps and, in the process, serve his community and help as many people as possible with legal needs.
Wielding a JD from the Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University, he gained experience during his studies as an intern with the Federal Public Defender’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Georgia, and the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia—working in different roles within the legal system. He utilized his natural abilities as a people-driven person as an attorney-at-law at his father’s firm Cook & Tolley LLP in Athens, where he handles cases related to state and federal criminal defense, civil litigation, personal injury, and domestic relations issues. Among his myriad achievements at the firm, Mr. Tolley takes immense pride in securing over $2 million in collections.
Within the legal community, Mr. Tolley has established himself outside of his primary endeavors—excelling as the president of the Western Circuit Bar Association and a dedicated member of such organizations as the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the American Association for Justice, the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association, and the American Bar Association, among others. He remains active as the president of the alumni board at Athens Academy High School, coached golf there for several years, presided over the Georgia Children’s Choir from 2021 to 2022, and currently serves on the boards for charitable groups in Athens.
An emerging leader in his field, Mr. Tolley is committed to actively contributing to his community by leveraging his professional expertise and personal background. His primary objective is to enhance his confidence and ethical standards in order to serve his community to the best of his abilities.