Name: T. C. Spencer “Spence” Pryor

Family: Lissa (wife) Olivia (daughter – rising junior at UGA, Sport Management Major), Madeleine (daughter – rising senior at The Lovett School), and Thomas (son – rising freshman at The Lovett School).

Hometown: Americus, Georgia

Current Town: Atlanta

What Years at UGA: 1991-1995, 1996-1999

School/Degree: Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, SPIA, BA, ’95, School of Law, JD, ‘99

Profession: Attorney: Assistant United States Attorney, Eastern District of Virginia, Counsel to the Deputy Attorney General, United States Department of Justice, litigation partner at multinational law firm, Alston & Bird, for twenty years. Current, Arkadios Capital, a private wealth firm, Chief Legal and Corporate Strategy Officer.

Accolades: Repeatedly ranked by Chambers USA, The Best Lawyers in America, and Georgia Trend’s Legal Elite for his expertise in white-collar criminal defense and regulatory matters. Named a BTI Client Service Allstar in 2020. University of Georgia School of Law Board of Visitors 2014-2020. University of Georgia Board of Visitors 2027 class.

What life lessons did you learn while at UGA? 

1. When given opportunity, it is incumbent on the recipient to focus and work hard to realize the opportunity by achieving success. 2. Balance and moderation in everything you do in life is critical to happiness and success. 3. Fat, drunk and stupid is no way to go through life.

What professor did you most admire? 

I have three. Two from undergrad and one from law school: (1) Hubert McAlexander, Josiah Meigs Professor of English Emeritus, because he taught me the importance of the written word and how to be an effective writer; (2) Dr. Charles Bullock, III, Richard B. Russell Professor, University Professor, Josiah Meigs Distinguished Teaching Professor of Political Science, is a legendary political science professor that encouraged me to and assisted me getting involved in politics; and Anne Dupre Hosch Professor of Law, instilled in me that there is no substitute for preparation and hard work.

What do you consider your greatest achievement at UGA? 

Working hard and recovering from an abysmal first two quarters academic performance while pledging chi phi and ultimately getting accepted to The University of Georgia School of Law after banking 10+ quarters in a row as a Presidential Scholar.

In Life? Partnering with my wife to raise three wonderful children who have incredibly bright futures and they all love the DAWGS.

Which historical figure do you most identify with? 

Ronald Reagan because he created and started the modern conservative movement in America that focused on peace through strength, tax cuts, deregulation, limited government and free-market policies all of which I strongly believe in and support today.

Who are your heroes in real life? 

My grandfather, T. O. Marshall, Jr., “The Judge,” “Papa” to me was the patriarch of our family, a war hero (WWII and Korean War), lawyer, businessman, Judge and Justice, a second father to me, and a Damn Great Dawg. While teaching me about each, he inspired me to a career in politics, law and business. He was a true southern gentleman who Lissa and I named our son, Thomas, after and I aspire to emulate every day.

Quote to live by: 

“Success is never final; failure is never fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts.” — Winston Churchill

What is your idea of perfect happiness? 

Playing golf in the evening during the summer on a coastal Georgia course with family and friends, …. Better yet,  golfing all over Scotland, but mostly on Scotland’s “Golf Coast” during the long summer days and immersing myself in the Scottish traditions of prioritizing the game of golf with family and close friends.

What is your most marked characteristic? 

Determination. When something needs to be done, I am going to do whatever it takes and find a way to get it done.

What do you most value in your friends? 

I value friends that are loyal, dependable and that like to have a good time.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? 

I would love to me more patient and I wish I had done the JD/MBA program at Georgia when I was in law school.

Who are your favorite writers? 

William Faulkner because of his unique style in writing about the South and issues confronted in the post-Civil War South and David McCullough because he is an amazing writer about American history and presidential biographies which I really enjoy reading.

Fave social media and who to follow? 

Instagram – @‌thedirtydawwg: because while wholly inappropriate and irreverent, their posts about the Dawgs are very entertaining.