Attorney Profiles
Meet the experienced team of attorneys at the Athens, Georgia law firm of Cowsert & Avery, LLP.
Bill Cowsert
A native of Jackson, Mississippi, Bill Cowsert has lived in Athens for the past 28 years with his wife Amy and their three children. He has been practicing law in Athens for 24 years. Prior to his tenure with Cowsert & Avery, LLP, Bill was first a partner in Blasingame, Burch, Garrard & Bryant law firm and the founder of William S. Cowsert, P.C., in 1995. William S. Cowsert, P.C. eventually expanded into Cowsert & Avery, LLC, which currently has seven attorneys representing clients in a variety of litigation throughout Northeast Georgia.
Bill currently serves as a State Senator representing District 46 (Clarke, Oconee, and Walton Counties) in the Georgia legislature. His committees include—
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Bill also serves as a Senate Floor Leader for Governor Sonny Perdue.
An AV® PreeminentTM Peer Review RatedSM attorney by Martindale-Hubbell®, Bill was selected as a "Super Lawyer" by Atlanta Magazine in 2008.
Practice areas
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Education
- J.D., University of Georgia, 1983
- B.S., cum laude, Presbyterian College, 1980
Memberships
- State Bar of Georgia
- Western Circuit Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- Defense Research Institute
- Georgia Defense Lawyers Association
Craig C. Avery
Craig C. Avery is an AV® PreeminentTM Peer Review RatedSM attorney by Martindale-Hubbell®. He has 25 years experience in civil trial practice; for the past 18 years he has focused on insurance defense. Craig represents insurers and their policy holders in the areas of automobile liability, premises liability, and coverage questions. He has defended personal injury and wrongful death cases throughout Northeast Georgia, having tried more than 250 jury trials in 20 Georgia counties.
Practice areas
- Civil Litigation
- Insurance Law
Education
- J.D., cum laude, John Marshall Law School, 1983
- B.A., University of Kentucky, 1978
Bar admissions
- Georgia, 1983
- U.S. District Court, Northern and Middle Districts of Georgia, 1983
Memberships
- Gwinnett County Bar Association
- Western Circuit Bar Association
- Past President
- State Bar of Georgia
- Defense Research Institute
- Georgia Defense Lawyers Association
- Board Member
- Georgia Legal Services Program
- Volunteer
Susan S. Elder
Susan S. Elder is a partner with Cowsert & Avery, LLP. She is a native of Tuscaloosa, Alabama and has been practicing with the firm for 11 years. Susan earned her Juris Doctor and Master of Human Resources from the University of South Carolina in 1996.
Practice areas
- Insurance Defense Litigation
- Business Law
- Probate
- Estate Planning
Education
- J.D., University of South Carolina, 1996
- M.H.R., University of South Carolina, 1996
- B.A., Florida State University, 1992
Bar admissions
- Georgia, 1996
Memberships
- State Bar of Georgia
- Western Circuit Bar Association
- Georgia Defense Lawyers Association
Michael Broun
Michael Broun is a native of Athens, Georgia and has practiced law with Cowsert & Avery since 2006. Michael graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in Political Science in 2003 and then earned his law degree from the University of Mississippi School of Law where he graduated magna cum laude. As a trial attorney, Michael focuses on general civil practice and criminal defense.
Practice areas
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Education
- J.D., magna cum laude, University of Mississippi School of Law, 2006
- Mississippi Law Journal, Associate Articles Editor
- Ole Miss Moot Court Board
- Phi Delta Phi Legal Fraternity
- Federalist Society
- B.A. in Political Science, University of Georgia, 2003
Bar admissions
- Georgia, 2006
Colin Moriarty
Colin Moriarty grew up in Chesapeake, Virginia and graduated from The College of William and Mary in 1995. A love for music and guitar took him to Athens, where he played in bands and recorded music in his recording studio until 2002, at which point he decided to go to law school.
Colin graduated from Southwestern University School of Law, in Los Angeles, in 2005. After graduating and taking the California Bar Exam, he moved right back to Athens. He prosecuted misdemeanors in Athens as an Assistant Solicitor-General, with a focus on trials involving DUI and Domestic Violence. Colin joined Cowsert & Avery in January of 2010, and his practice focuses on civil and criminal defense.
Practice areas
- Civil Litigation
- Criminal Defense
Education
- J.D., Southwestern University School of Law, 2005
- The College of William and Mary, 1995
Bar admissions
- California, 2005
- Georgia, 2006
Christopher C. Nichols
The real estate lawyers at Cowsert & Avery specialize in residential and commercial real estate closings including refinances, purchases using a mortgage lender and cash purchases in addition to all other types of closings. We can perform a closing for property located anywhere in the State of Georgia and we are not limited to the Athens area. Our prices are competitive. We can close a loan for any lender who does business in the State of Georgia. The real estate department at Cowsert & Avery combines years of real estate closing experience with professionalism, responsiveness, attention to detail, and compassion.
Practice areas
- Real Estate
- Insurance Defense
Education
- J.D., cum laude, University of Georgia, 1999
- A.B.J., University of Georgia, 1993
Bar admissions
- Georgia, 1999
Memberships
- State Bar of Georgia
- Western Circuit Bar Association
- GA Real Estate Closing Attorneys Association (GRECAA)
- American Land Title Association (ALTA)
Real Estate Fax: (706) 543-5950
David S. Thomson, Of Counsel
David S. Thomson began practicing law in 1986 and focuses in civil litigation.
David received bachelor's and master's degrees in political science from the University of Georgia and his law degree from the Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University.
After graduating from law school, he practiced for several years in Atlanta before returning to his hometown of Athens, Georgia where he has practiced for the last 18 years.
For the last four years, David's practice has focused almost exclusively on family law.
He has served as Secretary to the Western Circuit Bar Association, is a member of the American Bar Association and the Family Law Division of the State Bar of Georgia. Additionally, Mr. Thomson is a member of the Athens Rotary Club, the Touchdown Club of Athens, and teaches an adult Sunday school class at Athens First United Methodist Church.
Practice areas
- Family Law
Education
- J.D., Mercer University, 1986
- M.A., University of Georgia, 1984
- A.B., University of Georgia, 1981
Bar admissions
- Georgia, 1986
Memberships
- State Bar of Georgia
- Family Law Division
- Atlanta Bar Association
- Western Circuit Bar Association
- Secretary
Let Cowsert & Avery, LLP represent you
Are you or a loved one in need of quality legal counsel? Call us at 706-543-7700 or contact us online today. We look forward to discussing your case.
