Tolley Law, PLC
Let's Seek Justice Together.
Meet the team at Tolley Law.
Matthew Tolley, Esq.
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As the founder of Tolley Law, PLC, Matthew brings fierce advocacy, life experience, and unshakable conviction to every client he represents. His practice focuses on criminal defense and family law to areas where real lives, families, and futures hang in the balance.
For Matthew, this work is personal. Raised by a mother who battled heroin addiction, Matthew knows firsthand the pain, stigma, and struggle that many of his clients face. He has seen what happens when people are written off by the system—and he refuses to let that happen on his watch. He became a lawyer to be a voice for the unheard-of in Hampton Roads and a shield for those who need one most.
Before practicing law, Matthew served nearly a decade in the United States Navy, where he earned the title of United States Navy Diver. Matthew graduated from the Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center; he participated in some of the military’s most dangerous underwater operations, including salvage, demolition, body recovery, and anti-terrorism explosive detection dives. That chapter of his life forged his grit, resilience, and ability to lead under pressure—skills that now define his approach in the courtroom.
​Education:
Matthew’s path to law was built on relentless discipline and a passion for justice. He holds:
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Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice from American Military University
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Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from American Military University.
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Juris Master in American Legal Studies from Liberty University.
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Juris Doctor (JD) from Mitchell Hamline School of Law.-​
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​Matthew was the recipient of the CALI Excellence for the Future Award in Criminal Law and Statutory Interpretation.
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Joy Green-Forbes, Esq.
This is your About page. This space is a great opportunity to give a full background on who you are, what you do and what your site has to offer. Your users are genuinely interested in learning more about you, so don’t be afraid to share personal anecdotes to create a more friendly quality. Every website has a story, and your visitors want to hear yours. This space is a great opportunity to provide any personal details you want to share with your followers. Include interesting anecdotes and facts to keep readers engaged. Double click on the text box to start editing your content and make sure to add all the relevant details you want site visitors to know. If you’re a business, talk about how you started and share your professional journey. Explain your core values, your commitment to customers and how you stand out from the crowd. Add a photo, gallery or video for even more engagement.
Joy Green is originally from upstate New York and brings a wealth of experience and perspective to her legal practice. Before entering the legal field, Joy spent more than a decade in Human Resources—first in the private sector and later with the Department of the Navy, where she focused on Employee Relations. These roles strengthened her ability to navigate complex interpersonal matters and reinforced her commitment to fairness, integrity, and effective advocacy.
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Growing up in a low-income household, Joy developed a deep appreciation for resilience, empathy, and hard work. As an LGBTQ parent, she understands the challenges of overcoming social stigmas and the importance of creating safe, inclusive spaces for all families. These personal experiences have shaped Joy’s compassionate approach to law and her understanding of the diverse and difficult dynamics that often accompany family, work, and community issues.
Joy is dedicated to serving her clients with professionalism, understanding, and respect—helping them find clarity and strength through life’s most challenging moments.
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Education:
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Russell Sage College, Troy, NY – Bachelor of Science
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Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA – Master of Public Administration
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Mitchell Hamline School of Law, Saint Paul, MN – Juris Doctor​
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