Born and raised on his family’s farm in Twin City, Emanuel County, Georgia, Joey has always considered Southeast Georgia as his home. After graduating with honors from Georgia Southern University in 1992 with a BBA in Economics and an Emphasis in International Business, Joey worked for a local law firm in Statesboro before attending the Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University in Macon, Georgia. He excelled as a law school student, graduating in the top 15% of his class in 1996. While several of his fellow classmates opted for the big city life in Atlanta, Macon or Savannah, Joey never considered practicing law anywhere other than in Bulloch County and Southeast Georgia.
Upon his return to Statesboro in 1996, he worked as an Associate Attorney for Charles Brown and Becky Livingston, and he also married his college sweetheart to whom he remains married. After practicing law in the private sector for several years, Joey decided to run for election to seek the position of the Bulloch County Solicitor General in 2000, and he prevailed in that hotly contested election. Joey ran unopposed for three (3) successive terms.
While serving as the Solicitor General of Bulloch County for 16 years, Joey was actively involved in his community. As a Graduate of the Leadership Bulloch Class of 2001, he has exhibited an appreciation of being actively involved in his community. From serving as Secretary and Chairman of the Finance Committee of the Statesboro First United Methodist Church for several years to serving on the Board of Trustees of Bulloch Academy since 2007 (serving as Chairperson from 2016-2018) to serving his Fraternity (Sigma Chi) in an Alumni capacity, Joey demonstrates his commitment to his community. In his practice of Law, Joey seeks Justice with Hope and Compassion for all parties involved!
In 2016, after being responsible for prosecuting thousands of misdemeanor offenses such as DUI, Minor in Possession of Alcohol, Possession of Less than an Ounce of Marijuana, Traffic Offenses, Property Offenses, and Battery Offenses in Bulloch County, Joey decided not to seek re-election and to re-enter the private practice of law.
On 01 January 2017, Joey joined the Law Firm of Taulbee, Rushing, Snipes, Marsh & Hodgin as Of Counsel to the Firm where he specialized in the representation of citizens accused of violating the Traffic and Criminal Laws of Georgia. After four years as Of Counsel specifically located at Taulbee, Rushing, Snipes, Marsh & Hodgin, Joey decided to open his own office with the same practice specialties and with the same dedication to his clients.
“As a former prosecutor with over 16 years of experience in dealing with nothing other than criminal and traffic offenses, I believe that I have a unique perspective and familiarity with the criminal and traffic laws of our State, along with a deep understanding of the Courts and Court personnel in our area. Without the proper assistance and guidance, someone who is accused of violating the law can be exposed to what can at times be an unforgiving legal system. It is my goal to represent folks who are accused of violating the law in such a manner that will place them in the best possible position to favorably resolve their current matter along with addressing any personal issues to assist them to avoid any future problems.”
From the very beginning of his representation of you, you will meet with Mr. Cowart – not a secretary or associate – and you will have access to him. Mr. Cowart understands that folks who are charged with criminal offenses are not necessarily familiar with the process that will be involved, so he will remain available to you throughout the course of his representation to answer your questions, address your concerns, and calm your nerves.
Contact Joey by telephone or e-mail to arrange for a free consultation to discuss your legal matter.
Professional Information
- Sat for and passed the Georgia Bar Exam in February 1996.
- Authorized to practice in all State of Georgia Trial and Appellate Courts, along with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Georgia and the United States Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit.
- Previous President and Vice-President of the Georgia Association of Solicitors General.
- Associate Attorney with the private law firm of Brown & Livingston from 1996 through 2000. While in private practice, I practiced primarily in the areas of Commercial and Insurance Litigation, while maintaining a general practice of law.
- Solicitor General of Bulloch County from 01 January 2001 through 31 December 2016. The Solicitor General is an elected official who is the attorney responsible for prosecuting misdemeanor criminal offenses in Bulloch County. I was elected for four (4) terms with the final three (3) terms being re-elected without opposition. After serving for 16 years in this elected position and being responsible for processing and handling over 10,000 criminal hearings and trials, I did not pursue re-election so that I could re-enter the private practice of law to use my experience and knowledge to represent individuals charged with DUI, MIP, Drug Offenses, and other Criminal Offenses.
- Of Counsel with Taulbee, Rushing, Snipes, Marsh & Hodgin, LLC.
- Prior Adjunt College Professor at GSU and OTC in the areas of Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, and Constitutional Law.
Educational Information
- Honor Graduate of Georgia Southern University in 1992 with a BBA in Economics and an Emphasis in International Business
- Top 15% Graduate of the Walter F. George School of Law at Mercer University in 1996.
Community Involvement
- Member of the Statesboro First United Methodist Church since 1996.
- Previous Treasurer.
- Previous Chair of the Finance Committee.
- Sunday School Teacher for New Beginnings Class.
- Member of the Board of Trustees of Bulloch Academy.
- Chair 2016-2018.
- Vice Chair 2014-2016.
- Graduate of Leadership Bulloch Class of 2001.
- Previous Officer of Downtown Rotary in Statesboro, Georgia.
- Member of Sigma Chi Alumni Association and prior limited Adviser to Active Chapter.
- Coached Basketball and Softball teams for middle-school students.
Personal Information
- Married to Ellen Blocker Cowart since 1996.
- Father of two teenage daughters.
- Resident of Bulloch County for 24 years and Southeast Georgia since birth.
