Attorney at Law · Former Circuit Judge · North Alabama
Tim Jolley
Former Marshall County Circuit Judge · Registered Civil Mediator · 44+ Years of Legal Experience
Contact Tim →About Tim Jolley
Tim Jolley is one of the most experienced legal figures in North Alabama — a 44-year career that spans private practice, 12 years as a prosecutor, and 18 years presiding over criminal and civil cases as a Marshall County Circuit Judge. He continues to serve as a Special Circuit Judge at the request of the Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court, and practices at Guntersville Law, LLC alongside his daughter Emily Jolley Seckel and son-in-law Paul A. Seckel.
Tim’s background is genuinely unmatched in the region. Having served on all sides of the courtroom — as defense attorney, prosecutor, and judge — he understands how every party in a legal proceeding thinks, what arguments carry weight, and how outcomes are really decided. That inside perspective is an extraordinary asset for every client he represents.
In addition to his litigation practice, Tim is a Registered Civil and Domestic Relations Mediator — making him especially effective at helping parties resolve disputes efficiently and fairly outside of court. Tim is a devoted husband to Angela, father of four, and proud grandfather of five.
Education
- Juris Doctor, Magna Cum Laude — Birmingham School of Law (1981)
- Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice (emphasis: Forensic Sciences) — Jacksonville State University
- Alumnus & Adjunct Faculty — National Judicial College, University of Nevada, Reno
Current Practice Areas
- Criminal Defense — serious felonies, misdemeanors, DUI
- Civil & Domestic Relations Mediation
- Civil Litigation — real estate, property disputes
- Still serves as Special Circuit Judge when appointed
Areas Served
- Guntersville, AL (primary office)
- Marshall County — 27th Judicial Circuit
- Blount, Cullman, DeKalb, Etowah & Morgan Counties
- Statewide mediation services
Family
Tim is married to Angela Jolley. He is the father of four children, including Attorney Emily Jolley Seckel who practices alongside him at Guntersville Law. He is the proud grandfather of five. Emily’s husband, Paul A. Seckel, is the firm’s founder.
A Distinguished Legal Career
Tim’s career spans every role in the Alabama legal system — private attorney, chief prosecutor, circuit court judge, and now active practitioner and mediator. Few attorneys in North Alabama have held as many positions or accumulated as much firsthand experience across the full spectrum of the law.
Private Attorney — North Alabama
Tim began his legal career in private practice immediately after graduating Magna Cum Laude from Birmingham School of Law in 1981. He built experience across civil and criminal matters before transitioning to public service.
Assistant District Attorney — Marshall County
Tim joined the Marshall County District Attorney’s Office under D.A. Ronald P. Thompson and quickly rose to Chief Assistant District Attorney and Commander of the Marshall County Special Crimes Unit, leading investigations into homicides and other serious offenses. He dedicated 12 years to public service as a prosecutor before running for Circuit Judge.
Circuit Judge — 27th Judicial Circuit, Marshall County
Elected unopposed, Tim served as Circuit Judge from January 1999 through January 2017 — 18 years presiding over civil and criminal cases in Marshall County. During his tenure he also served as Drug Court Judge, implementing rehabilitative approaches for non-violent offenders struggling with substance abuse.
Attorney, Mediator & Special Circuit Judge
Following his retirement from full-time judicial service, Tim continues to serve as an Active Retired Judge — presiding over civil and criminal matters assigned to him by the Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court. He practices criminal defense, civil litigation, and property law at Guntersville Law, LLC, and conducts mediations throughout North Alabama as a Registered Civil and Domestic Relations Mediator.
Tim’s Practice Areas
Having sat on the bench for 18 years, Tim understands the law from every angle — which makes him an exceptionally effective advocate for his clients today.
Criminal Defense
$100 / 30-min consultationHaving served as both a prosecutor and a judge, Tim knows exactly how criminal cases are built and decided. That inside knowledge gives his clients a significant strategic advantage from the very first day of their case.
- Serious felony charges
- DUI and drug offenses
- Assault and domestic violence
- Misdemeanor defense
- Expungements
Mediation
Civil & domestic relationsAs a Registered Civil and Domestic Relations Mediator with 18 years of circuit court experience, Tim is uniquely positioned to help parties reach durable, realistic agreements — faster and less expensively than litigation.
- Civil dispute mediation
- Divorce and custody mediation
- Property and contract disputes
- Business mediation
- Court-ordered mediation
Civil Litigation & Property
Civil and real estate mattersTim handles civil litigation and real estate disputes throughout North Alabama, drawing on decades of courtroom experience as both advocate and judge to navigate complex civil matters.
- Real estate and property disputes
- Boundary and title conflicts
- Contract and civil litigation
- Landlord-tenant matters
- General civil representation
What It Means to Have a Former Judge on Your Legal Team
When Tim Jolley represents you or mediates your dispute, you benefit from something no other attorney in North Alabama can offer: 18 years of watching lawyers try cases from the bench — seeing what works, what doesn’t, and what actually influences outcomes.
- He knows how judges think. Tim spent nearly two decades making the decisions your case will depend on. He knows what evidence is persuasive, what arguments fall flat, and how courtroom dynamics actually play out.
- He understands prosecutors. As a former Chief Assistant District Attorney, Tim knows how the state builds criminal cases — and therefore where the weaknesses are.
- His mediation carries authority. When Tim mediates a dispute, parties know they are in the room with a former circuit judge who understands exactly what a trial outcome might look like — making realistic settlements far more achievable.
- He still sits as a judge. Tim continues to serve as a Special Circuit Judge at the appointment of the Chief Justice of the Alabama Supreme Court — meaning his knowledge of current law and court practice is active, not historical.
Leadership, Education & Policy Contributions
Tim’s impact on Alabama’s legal system extends far beyond the courtroom. Throughout his career he has shaped judicial education, contributed to criminal justice reform, and trained thousands of legal professionals across the state.
Harvard Law School Speaker
Invited to present at Harvard Law School’s symposium on “The Self-Represented Litigant” — a national forum bringing together judges and legal educators to address access to justice issues in American courts.
Alabama Prison Reform Task Force
Appointed to the Alabama Prison Reform Task Force (2015–2017), contributing to the drafting and implementation of key criminal justice reform legislation that reshaped how Alabama handles non-violent offenders.
Alabama Judicial College Faculty
Served as a member of the Alabama Circuit and District Court Association Judicial Education Committee and Alabama Judicial College Faculty from 2000 to 2017 — helping train and educate Alabama’s judiciary for nearly two decades.
National Judicial College Faculty
An Alumnus and Adjunct Faculty Member of the National Judicial College at the University of Nevada, Reno — one of the premier judicial education institutions in the country.
Drug Court Leadership
Served as President of the Alabama Association of Drug Court Professionals in 2016 and as Drug Court Judge during his tenure on the bench — pioneering rehabilitative approaches to substance abuse offenses in Marshall County.
Voting Rights Reform
Appointed by the Alabama Secretary of State to a committee responsible for drafting legislation reforming the restoration of voting rights for convicted felons — advancing fairness and civic reintegration in Alabama’s justice system.
Tim’s Family at Guntersville Law
Tim practices alongside his daughter Emily and son-in-law Paul — a family team that brings together complementary expertise across criminal defense, family law, personal injury, and appellate law.
Emily Jolley Seckel
Attorney at Law · Tim’s DaughterLifelong Albertville resident, Birmingham School of Law graduate, former special education teacher and school principal. Holds a JD, Ed.S., and M.S. in Special Education. Handles appeals, divorce and custody, and estate planning.
Appeals · Divorce · Custody · Estate Law
Meet Emily →
Paul A. Seckel
Attorney at Law · Founder · Tim’s Son-in-LawAlabama native, Birmingham School of Law graduate, MBA from UAB. Founded Guntersville Law in 2014. Focuses on personal injury, divorce and child custody, and criminal defense across North Alabama.
Personal Injury · Divorce · Criminal Defense
Meet Paul →“The attorneys at Guntersville Law truly care about their clients. They provide excellent customer service and work hard to find expedient resolutions — delivering results with integrity and compassion.”— Client of Guntersville Law, LLC · Guntersville, Alabama
Ready to Work with Tim?
For criminal defense, mediation, civil litigation, or property disputes across North Alabama — contact Tim directly.
Mon–Thurs 8am–5pm · Fri by appointment · 1320 Gunter Ave, Guntersville AL 35976