Attorney Profile
T. Edmund Spinks, founder of Spinks Law Firm, has been practicing law in the area of elder law, social security, veteran’s benefits, and disability law for 20 years.
Memberships:
- Florida Bar Association
- Hawaii Bar Association
- Federal Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- Hillsborough County Bar Association
- Military Affairs Committee (Vice Chairperson in 2014)
- National Organization of Social Security Claimants Representatives
- National Association of Elder Law Attorneys
- Elder Counsel
- Educational Law Committee
Before practicing law, Mr. Spinks joined the Army as a smoke operations specialist and served in the Gulf War as a nuclear, biological, and chemical sergeant. Following his service in the Army, he was trained and certified as a firefighter and emergency medical technician (EMT) in Florida. He was employed by the Polk County fire department, where he became one of the founding members of local Fire Fighter Union, IAFF 3531.
While working for the fire department, he attended the University of South Florida at Tampa studying politics and international relations. He received a bachelor’s degree in political science and was also awarded a minor in international studies. Following graduation from USF, Mr. Spinks was accepted to the Marine Corps Officer Candidate Program at Quantico, Virginia. After successfully completing this rigorous program, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps.
Once commissioned, 2nd Lt Spinks was assigned to the independent ready reserves in Tallahassee, Florida. It was there that he attended Florida State University College of Law. After graduating from FSU, Mr. Spinks became an attorney admitted to practice in the State of Florida. He resumed active duty with the Marine Corps and graduated from the Naval Justice School becoming admitted to practice in the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces and all military jurisdictional courts.
Mr. Spinks was promoted to captain and assigned duty at Marine Corps Base Hawaii where he began representing the United States in courts martial and the District of Hawaii Federal Court. He was also admitted to practice by the Hawaii Bar in all State of Hawaii courts.
Gaining valuable litigation experience, he returned to Florida and became admitted to practice in the Middle District of Florida, Federal Court. Capitalizing on his litigation experience, he began representing individuals in litigation cases. As a father of a son with Down syndrome, Mr. Spinks is a strong advocate for the civil and educational rights of people with disabilities. He retired from United States Marine Corps Reserve after over 25 years of service at the rank of major.