Attorney at Law · Guntersville, Alabama
Emily Jolley Seckel
Guntersville Law, LLC · Birmingham School of Law · Lifelong Albertville Resident
Schedule a Consultation →About Emily Jolley Seckel
Emily Jolley Seckel is a lifelong Albertville, Alabama resident and graduate of the Birmingham School of Law. At Guntersville Law, LLC she works alongside her husband Paul A. Seckel and her father, Tim Jolley — a former Marshall County Circuit Judge with 44 years of legal experience — to provide clients across Guntersville, Marshall County, and North Alabama with high-quality, personally attentive legal representation.
Before pursuing law, Emily had a distinguished career in education. She served as both a special education teacher and a school principal, and holds multiple advanced degrees including a Master of Science in Special Education and an Education Specialist degree. That background is not incidental to her legal career — it gives her an unusually deep understanding of child development, educational rights, and the needs of families navigating school systems, which strengthens her family law and custody practice in meaningful ways.
Emily’s legal practice spans appellate law, divorce and child custody, estate planning, and general civil matters. Her appellate background is one of her most distinctive strengths — when a trial court reaches the wrong conclusion, Emily has the skill and experience to challenge that ruling through Alabama’s civil appeals process and fight for a better outcome for her client.
Outside the office, Emily is a dedicated mother to two daughters and is deeply involved in her community through nonprofit leadership and mentoring. She brings the same level of genuine care and diligence to her clients that she brings to everything in her life — a commitment to listening closely, advising honestly, and delivering practical, compassionate solutions.
Education & Credentials
- Juris Doctor — Birmingham School of Law
- Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree
- Master of Science in Special Education
- Licensed to practice in Alabama state courts
- Former special education teacher & school principal
- Lifelong Albertville, Alabama resident
Practice Areas
- Appellate Law — Alabama Court of Civil Appeals, Alabama Supreme Court
- Divorce & Child Custody — contested, uncontested, modifications
- Estate Planning — wills, trusts, powers of attorney
- General Civil Litigation
Areas Served
- Guntersville, AL (primary office)
- Marshall County
- Blount, Cullman, DeKalb, Etowah & Morgan Counties
Community & Personal
- President, Exceptional Aggies Cafe — local nonprofit
- Instrumental in securing 501(c)(3) status for Not Alone
- Former special education teacher and school principal
- Lifelong Albertville resident
- Daughter of Tim Jolley, former Circuit Judge
- Mother of two daughters
Emily’s Practice Areas
Emily handles four core areas that address some of the most significant legal challenges her clients face. Click any area to learn more.
Appellate Law
Alabama civil & family law appealsWhen a trial court gets it wrong, Emily fights to correct it. Her appellate experience covers Alabama’s civil appeals courts — including family law appeals that can make the difference in custody and divorce outcomes.
- Alabama Court of Civil Appeals
- Alabama Supreme Court
- Family law & custody appeals
- Post-judgment motions and review
- Briefing and oral argument
Divorce & Child Custody
$100 / 30-min consultationEmily guides Guntersville families through divorce and custody with compassion and clarity. Her litigation background strengthens every negotiation — and when cases need to go further, her appellate skills protect the outcome.
- Contested & uncontested divorce
- Child custody and parenting plans
- Property division and alimony
- Child support and modifications
- 2026 Alabama joint custody law (HB 229)
Estate Planning
Protecting your family’s futureEmily helps North Alabama families plan for what matters most — ensuring their assets are protected, their wishes are documented, and their loved ones are provided for.
- Wills and testaments
- Trusts and asset protection
- Powers of attorney
- Healthcare directives
- Probate assistance
Why Appellate Experience Matters in Family Law
Most family law attorneys stop at the trial court level. Emily’s appellate background means she brings a different perspective to every family law case she handles — because she understands not just what the trial court will decide, but how that decision will hold up on appeal.
This matters in several important ways:
- Better trial strategy: Knowing which arguments survive appellate review shapes how Emily builds your case from the very beginning — creating the record that protects you if you need to appeal later.
- Stronger negotiating position: Opposing parties and their attorneys know that Emily can and will pursue an appeal if the outcome is wrong — making them more likely to reach fair agreements at the trial level.
- Protection after an unfair ruling: If a trial court judge gets your custody or divorce case wrong, Emily can challenge that ruling through the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals or the Alabama Supreme Court.
- Post-divorce enforcement and modification: Complex post-judgment matters — contempt, relocation disputes, substantial modifications — often benefit from the same careful legal analysis that drives appellate work.
Emily’s Approach to Every Case
Emily approaches every client relationship with the same core values that have defined her career.
Compassionate and Personal
Emily’s years as a special education teacher and school principal instilled in her a deep ability to listen, understand different needs, and communicate with patience and empathy. Those skills translate directly to how she treats every client who walks through her door.
Practically Focused
Emily’s goal is not simply to win arguments — it’s to achieve outcomes that actually improve her clients’ lives. She brings a practical, solutions-oriented mindset to every matter, always asking: what does this client actually need to move forward?
Clear Communication
Legal processes can feel overwhelming and confusing. Emily takes the time to explain what is happening, why it matters, and what comes next — in plain language her clients can understand. No unnecessary jargon, no leaving people in the dark.
Thorough and Diligent
Whether drafting an appellate brief, negotiating a divorce settlement, or preparing an estate plan, Emily brings the same careful attention to detail. She believes that thorough preparation is the foundation of good outcomes for clients.
Community Involvement
Emily’s commitment to Alabama extends well beyond the courtroom. She is actively involved in the local community and has used her legal skills to help organizations serving those in need.
Exceptional Aggies Cafe
Emily serves as President of Exceptional Aggies Cafe, a local nonprofit dedicated to providing inclusive opportunities for individuals with disabilities. She has played a central leadership role in growing the organization’s reach and impact in the North Alabama community.
Not Alone
Emily was instrumental in securing 501(c)(3) nonprofit status for Not Alone, an organization that provides support and community for those who need it. Her legal expertise helped transform a community effort into a formally recognized charitable organization.
Career in Education
Before practicing law, Emily had a distinguished career in Alabama public education — first as a special education teacher and later as a school principal. She holds a Master of Science in Special Education and an Education Specialist degree. That experience gives her a unique perspective in family law and custody cases involving children’s educational needs, IEPs, and school-related disputes.
Deep Roots in North Alabama
Emily is a lifelong Albertville resident who grew up watching her father, Tim Jolley, serve the community for decades — first as an Assistant District Attorney, then as a Marshall County Circuit Judge for 18 years. As a mother of two daughters herself, she brings firsthand understanding of what is truly at stake in custody and family law cases.
“The attorneys at Guntersville Law truly care about their clients. They provide excellent customer service and work hard to find expedient resolutions. I’m proud to work with a firm that puts people first and delivers results with integrity and compassion.”— Client of Guntersville Law, LLC · Guntersville, Alabama
Emily’s Colleagues at Guntersville Law
Emily practices alongside her husband Paul A. Seckel and her father Tim Jolley — giving Guntersville Law clients access to a comprehensive range of legal expertise built on decades of combined experience in North Alabama courts.
Paul A. Seckel
Attorney at Law · Founder · Emily’s HusbandAlabama native, Birmingham School of Law graduate, and MBA from UAB. Focuses on personal injury, divorce and child custody, and criminal defense. Founded Guntersville Law in 2014.
Personal Injury · Divorce · Criminal Defense
Meet Paul →
Tim Jolley
Attorney at Law · Former Circuit Judge · Emily’s Father44+ years of legal experience — 18 years as Marshall County Circuit Judge, 12 years as Assistant District Attorney. Registered Civil and Domestic Relations Mediator.
Criminal Defense · Mediation · Property Law
Meet Tim →Ready to Work with Emily?
Schedule a confidential consultation · $100 / 30 minutes · Serving Marshall County and North Alabama
Main firm line: (256) 571-1529 · Mon–Thurs 8am–5pm · Fri by appointment · 1320 Gunter Ave, Guntersville AL 35976