George Speedy

George Speedy graduated from high school convinced he didn’t have the intelligence to pursue the practice of law, but he was quickly disabused of that theory in the course of his service as a “grunt,” or member of the infantry, during the Vietnam War. George quickly ascended through the ranks during his military stint, emerging with a sense of confidence and self-assurance that he lacked beforehand.

On his return from Vietnam, sights set on becoming an attorney, George completed his undergraduate studies in 1971, and began attending the University of South Carolina School of Law in the fall of 1972.

In January of 1975, just a few months shy of graduation, George met with H.W.C. Furman, an attorney out of Camden. Before the day was done, Furman offered George a position practicing alongside him. George accepted Furman’s offer, and began practicing in the firm known today as Speedy, Tanner, & Atkinson, LLC. Though the name has occasionally changed over the years, the commitment to serving Camden and the surrounding areas, has never wavered.

Education is a pervading theme running through George’s relationships with his clients. They educate him about their circumstances, and in turn, he explains the application of the law to their specific situation before walking them through the entire legal process from what to expect to what to wear.

More than forty years after accepting Furman’s offer, George’s enthusiasm for what he does is perhaps his most remarkable quality. It speaks to an earnest desire to help people, by offering them honesty, compassion, and time. Hoping to rectify the wrongs they’ve suffered fuels his impassioned arguments before the court. George’s integrity has never waned in the last forty years, rather it has grown to be an impressive mark of his character, one his colleagues rally around and work to uphold.

The team George has built and surrounded himself with at Speedy, Tanner, & Atkinson is possibly his proudest professional accomplishment. The truly unique environment of care and support within the office, speaks to the genuine sense of compassion everyone in the office has for each person who walks through the door. With George at the helm, Speedy, Tanner, & Atkinson has cultivated a collaborative spirit that fosters the firm’s growing momentum.

Carrie Tanner

Carrie Tanner didn’t ride into town on Friday. Kershaw County has been Carrie’s home as far back as she can remember. As a student at Lugoff-Elgin High School, Carrie’s dream of practicing law put her in stark contrast to other girls in school, many of whom hoped to become veterinarians or school teachers. After graduating from high school, Carrie set off for Furman University where she studied English and Literature for four years before going on to earn a Masters in Criminal Justice from the University of South Carolina. On the heels of that achievement, Carrie enrolled in the University of South Carolina School of Law, and three years later, diploma and license firmly secured, Carrie entered the practice of law. Shy of public speaking, Carrie intended to become a transactional attorney, stationed securely behind a desk. However, accepting a job as assistant solicitor in Kershaw County, she shed her apprehension over public speaking, coming to appreciate the opportunity to think fast on her feet. Carrie had only served in the solicitor’s office a little more than a year when she was approached by George Speedy about the possibility of joining him in private practice. Carrie joined George in June of 2000 at the firm now known as Speedy, Tanner, & Atkinson. She felt immediately drawn to domestic law, partly due to her soft spot for the children often involved. She recognizes the high stakes each client faces and her position to potentially make a difference in the lives of those who come to see her. Carrie is acutely aware that a final ruling in a case rarely provides any finality in the lives of the parties involved. Rather, the results will continue to impact the newly defined family unit as it adjusts to it’s “new normal,” usually with significant influence on how the children involved will be shaped and molded going forward. Witnessing clients reach a place of emotional stability is the greatest source of satisfaction in Carrie’s job. The opportunity to watch as clients, after much reassurance, come to realize everything will be ok: they’ll recover, their kids will be fine, and life will fall back into place. This transition to emotional stability and acceptance of their new circumstances is a reward that can’t be monetized. Working at Speedy, Tanner, & Atkinson is a true partnership experience for Carrie. The supportive and collaborative environment is one of the most important elements of the provision of high-caliber representation each client deserves. Running throughout the firm is a common thread of compassionate focus on the pursuit of what’s fair and just.

Professional Highlights

Bar Admissions

South Carolina, 1998

Education

University of South Carolina School of Law, Columbia, South Carolina
J.D. – 1998

University of South Carolina, Columbia, South Carolina
M.C.J. (Masters in Criminal Justice) – 1999

Furman University
B.A. in English – 1993
Cross-Country, Indoor and Outdoor Track

Zack Atkinson

Zack was born in the Moncrief Army Hospital on Fort Jackson Army Base in South Carolina. His dad, a Captain in the United States Army, served as a veterinarian on base, and his mother taught elementary school in the same Columbia area schools that Zack grew up attending. During most summers, Zack could be found either working in his father’s animal hospital or outside either playing sports, fishing or hunting. After graduating from high school, Zack attended Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Zack  spent four years on the Men’s Varsity Soccer Team, serving as captain his junior and senior years. He also served as president of his fraternity, and his senior class. Zack graduated cum laude with a B.S. in Government from Wofford in 1999. While at Wofford, Zack set his sights on law school, and after graduation entered the University of South Carolina School of Law. During his three years there, Zack realized both his love and gift for courtroom advocacy while a member of both the Trial Advocacy Team and the Moot Court bar. The experience he gained from these two programs cemented Zack’s desire to spend as much time possible in the courtroom. Upon graduating from law school, Zack was afforded the honor and privilege of serving as a law clerk to the Honorable Thomas W. Cooper, Jr., a circuit judge from Manning South Carolina. Clerking furnished Zack with the opportunity to walk immediately from the classroom into the courtroom, where he benefited from Judge Cooper’s invaluable wisdom and expertise. The time he spent with Judge Cooper was one of the most rewarding years of Zack’s legal career. In admiration of Judge Cooper, Zack says, “Judge Cooper is one of the wisest men I have ever met. I’ve never heard another lawyer or judge speak an unkind word of him. I would be less of a lawyer were it not for the year I spent with Judge Cooper. He’s brilliant. It was an awesome experience.”  With Judge Cooper’s support and encouragement, Zack chose to join the 5th Circuit Solicitor’s Office (Richland and Kershaw Counties) to serve as an assistant solicitor under the Honorable Barney Giese. As an assistant solicitor, Zack gained considerable experience dealing with defendants, defense attorneys, judges, and court personnel, not to mention the numerous cases he tried in front of juries. Zack also worked closely with law enforcement during his time with the solicitor’s office, and his relationship with law enforcement is one he continues to value today. Initially assigned to the Richland County Solicitor’s Office, it wasn’t long before Zack’s strong work ethic and talent were noticed, and at twenty-six years of age, he was asked to lead the Solicitor’s Kershaw County Office. Zack immediately loved the small-town atmosphere of Camden, so much so that he moved from Columbia to Camden and was soon after elected President of the Kershaw County Bar Association. Expressing his appreciation for Solicitor Giese, Zack says, ”The best part of working for Solicitor Giese was that he let you work! I never had to deal with a bunch of questions or micro-management so long as I was doing my job. Despite my young age, he put complete trust in me, and I am forever indebted to him for giving me the privilege of working under him as an assistant solicitor.” After three years of prosecuting cases and many back and forth courtroom battles, an appreciation for Zack’s gifted persuasive skills led attorney George Speedy to approach Zack about transitioning into private practice as a litigator. Zack says, “George was always a friend and mentor, even when we were on opposite sides of the fence, so it made perfect sense for us to join forces. I was delighted when he asked me to come work for him. Like my father, Judge Cooper, and Solicitor Giese, George has played an important role in reinforcing the need for a strong work ethic in addition to a ‘golden rule’ approach both to life and the practice of law.”

Professional Highlights

Bar Admissions

South Carolina, 2002

Education

University of South Carolina School of Law, Columbia, South Carolina
J.D. – 2002
Honors: Moot Court SC Environment Law Journal

Wofford College, Spartanburg, South Carolina
B.A. – 1999
Honors: Captain, Men’s Soccer 1995-1999
Honors: Senior Class Pres. 1998-1999
Major: Government

Professional Associations and Memberships

South Carolina Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Member, 2006 – Present
Southern States Police Benevolent Association, Legal Representative, 2010 – Present
Million Dollar Advocates Forum | The Top Trial Lawyers in America – Life Member
Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum |The Top Trial Lawyers in America – Life Member

Multi-Million Dollar Advocated Forum Million Dollar Advocated Forum

Past Employment Positions

Fifth Circuit Solicitor’s Office-Richland/Kershaw, Assistant Solicitor, 2003 – 2006
The Honorable Thomas W. Cooper Jr., Law Clerk, 2002 – 2003

Pro Bono Activities

Kershaw County Youth Court – Judge, 2006 – Present