Cole Harper, originally from Ocilla, Georgia, is a proud Double Dawg—graduating from the University of Georgia with a degree in Political Science and a certificate in Applied Politics, magna cum laude, in 2019, and from the University of Georgia School of Law, cum laude, in 2022.
While completing his undergraduate degree, Cole was active on campus as a tour guide with the UGA Visitors Center, an orientation leader with UGA New Student Orientation, and in various other student organizations.
In law school, Cole served as a Dean’s Ambassador, worked in the UGA Law Veteran’s Legal Clinic, completed research under Professors Lori Ringhand and Adam Orford, and guided first-year students as a teaching assistant for Professor Ringhand’s 1L Constitutional Law course. Cole also served as the Executive Conference Editor for the Georgia Journal of International & Comparative Law.
Additionally, Cole was an accomplished member of the advocacy program—both administratively, as the vice chair of the Moot Court Board—and competitively, winning the 2021 Georgia Instrastate Moot Court Competition, finishing as a quarterfinalist in the invitation-only Hunton Andrews Kurth National Moot Court Championship, and assisting as second-chair to Haley Kairab’s 2022 Top Gun Mock Trial Championship win.
Based on his commitment to advocacy, Cole was named the Jere Morehead Moot Court Scholar for his second and third years, was invited to become a pupil of the prestigious Clarke-Carley Inn of Court, and was selected as a member of the National Order of Barristers, a distinction reserved for the top ten advocates at the University of Georgia.
Following graduation, Cole clerked for two federal judges: Judge Tilman E. “Tripp” Self, III on the United States District Court for the Middle District of Georgia in Macon, Georgia, and Judge Edward H. Meyers on the United States Court of Federal Claims in Washington, D.C. During these experiences, Cole gained valuable legal writing and research skills and learned from respected members of the federal judiciary.
Cole is an Atlanta personal injury lawyer admitted to practice in Georgia, as well as Maryland (inactive), the District of Columbia (inactive), and the United States Court of Federal Claims. Cole is also a member of the Georgia Stonewall Bar Association.
Outside of work, Cole has remained involved with UGA as an alumni mentor, a member of the UGA Law Young Alumni/Alumnae Committee, and with the UGA Law Advocacy Program as an alumni coach and now an adjunct professor. Cole and his partner enjoy attending concerts, listening to podcasts, and cheering on the Georgia Bulldogs.