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Founding Partner
Tom B. Kirkbride
Founding Partner Kirkbride Dayton
Chief Municipal Court Judge – City of Morrow
Public Safety Legal Advisor | Law Enforcement Legal Educator
Judge Tom B. Kirkbride is a distinguished legal advocate, judge, and public safety professional with over three decades of service in military, federal law enforcement, and legal arenas. He is the Founding Partner of the Law firm of Kirkbride Dayton PC., a Georgia law firm known for strategic, client-focused representation in personal injury, criminal defense, wrongful death, public safety employment law, and constitutional litigation.
Tom holds a Juris Doctorate from John Marshall Law School in Atlanta and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Columbus State University’s prestigious Command College—a premier institution that prepares Georgia’s police chiefs and public safety executives.
A United States Army veteran, Tom served for over 12 years as a special operations explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) technician and breacher. His military service placed him in some of the world’s most hazardous environments. After sustaining injuries that led to his retirement, he redirected his commitment to public service into law enforcement and legal leadership.
Tom is a Georgia P.O.S.T.-certified Peace Officer since 1990, with over 6,000 hours of certified training. He has served as a bomb technician, arson investigator, SWAT team leader, and most notably as a Supervisory Federal Air Marshal after the 9/11 attacks—playing a critical role in national and international counter-terrorism efforts. He retired from federal service in 2022, capping a 32-year career with DHS and the military.
Tom is admitted to practice before the Georgia Supreme Court, Georgia Court of Appeals, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. His practice today is centered on representing public safety personnel, municipal entities, and injured individuals, particularly in cases involving:
Law enforcement liability and discipline (including P.O.S.T. matters)
Personal injury and wrongful death
Public records, defamation, zoning, and firearms law
Municipal and County Risk Management
First Amendment Auditor Education and Defense
He currently serves as the Chief Municipal Court Judge for the City of Morrow and acts as General Counsel to the Georgia Tactical Officers Association (GTOA), the International Association of Bomb Technicians and Investigators (IABTI), and the Georgia Association of Prison Wardens. He also serves as legal advisor to more than ten police and public safety departments across Georgia, offering proactive legal counsel in high-risk operational, personnel, HR issues, discipline, use-of-force, officer involved incidents, policy development and review, training, and liability matters.
In addition to his legal practice, Tom has served for over 20 years as an Associate Professor at the Georgia Law Enforcement Command College, where he teaches graduate-level courses in civil liability, ethics, terrorism, and constitutional law to Georgia’s top law enforcement leaders. He also serves on the Columbus State University Alumni Association Board, continuing to shape the educational landscape of Georgia’s public safety professionals.
Judge Tom Kirkbride is widely respected for his disciplined leadership, strategic advocacy, and unwavering dedication to public service. Whether in the courtroom, classroom, or community, he continues to serve with honor, delivering trusted counsel and powerful legal solutions to those who protect and serve.
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Founding Partner
Bryan Dayton: Your Dedicated Personal Injury Advocate
When you're facing the challenges of a personal injury, you need an attorney who is not only skilled and experienced but also genuinely committed to your well-being and success. Bryan Dayton brings a unique and powerful combination of legal insight and unwavering dedication to fighting for his clients. Specializing in personal injury law, Bryan has five years of focused experience, including navigating complex litigation, mediation, and settlement negotiations. His time spent at a large international insurance defense firm provides him with invaluable knowledge of how the defense side operates, giving his clients a distinct advantage.
Bryan's commitment to service extends far beyond the courtroom. A proud veteran, he has dedicated two decades to the U.S. Army, honing exceptional skills in project management, operations, planning, and organization. This military operational approach ensures that your case is handled with precision and strategic foresight.
As a graduate of the U.S. Army Airborne, Ranger, and Air Assault Schools, and having served in both the Middle East and Eastern Europe, Bryan has a proven track record of fighting aggressively for others. He now brings that same tenacity to your personal injury case, stating, "I have already fought aggressively for you abroad, now let me fight for you here at home."
Understanding that the legal process can be daunting, Bryan adopts a client-focused, results-oriented, caring, and compassionate approach. His philosophy is to walk with you every step of the way, ensuring you understand the process so that, together, you can achieve the best possible outcome for your case. If you're looking for an attorney who will fight for you with the same dedication he's shown throughout his career, Bryan Dayton is ready to stand by your side.
Ready to discuss your case? Schedule your free consultation with Bryan Dayton today and let him fight for you.
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About Kirkbride | Dayton
Veteran-Owned. Mission-Focused. Justice-Driven.
Kirkbride Dayton is a Georgia-based personal injury law firm built on a foundation of service, discipline, and an unshakable commitment to justice. Founded by Army veterans and longtime friends Judge Tom B. Kirkbride and Bryan Dayton, the firm was born out of a shared military background, a passion for advocacy, and a relentless drive to fight for those who have been injured through no fault of their own.
Tom and Bryan met in law school, where mutual respect, sharp legal minds, and a spirit of accountability forged a friendship—and ultimately a professional alliance. Their combined experiences in combat, command, and the courtroom gave rise to a law firm that treats every client like a mission: with precision, strategy, and unwavering loyalty.
At Kirkbride Dayton, we believe in holding wrongdoers accountable and delivering justice to those who are suffering. Whether you were injured in a car accident, harmed by negligence, or facing the complex aftermath of a serious incident, our team brings an unmatched level of preparation and persistence to every case. We have seen firsthand how trauma can impact a life—and we’re here to help you rebuild, recover, and receive the compensation you deserve.
Our attorneys bring more than just legal skill—they bring battle-tested discipline, strategic insight, and a client-first mindset that’s rooted in decades of leadership and service.
Our Founders
Judge Tom B. Kirkbride
A decorated U.S. Army veteran and former Supervisory Federal Air Marshal, Tom brings over 30 years of public safety and legal experience to the firm. He has served as a Georgia P.O.S.T.-certified peace officer, bomb technician, arson investigator, and SWAT team leader. Following the 9/11 attacks, Tom played a vital role in national counter-terrorism operations before retiring from DHS in 2022.
Today, as Chief Judge for the City of Morrow and a respected legal advocate, Tom represents injured clients, veterans, and public safety professionals throughout Georgia. He also serves as General Counsel to key law enforcement organizations and teaches civil liability and constitutional law at the Georgia Law Enforcement Command College, where he’s trained generations of police leaders.
Bryan Dayton
Bryan brings a unique blend of legal expertise and operational precision to personal injury cases. With over five years of focused experience in injury litigation and a background at a global insurance defense firm, he understands how insurers operate—and uses that knowledge to his clients’ advantage.
A 20-year U.S. Army veteran and graduate of the Airborne, Ranger, and Air Assault Schools, Bryan has led missions in the Middle East and Eastern Europe. That same resolve now drives his work in courtrooms across Georgia, where he fights to protect the rights and dignity of injured clients. “I’ve already fought for you abroad. Now let me fight for you here at home.” – Bryan Dayton
Why Choose Us
At Kirkbride | Dayton, you’re not just hiring a law firm—you’re gaining a trusted team that treats your case with urgency, respect, and care. We are proud to be veteran-owned, mission-focused, and deeply committed to helping our clients navigate some of the most difficult moments of their lives with clarity and confidence.
We walk with you every step of the way—because you deserve more than just legal representation. You deserve a team that won’t quit.
Ready to talk? Schedule your free consultation today. We’re here to fight for the justice you deserve.
You Have Nothing to Lose—and Everything to Gain.
After an accident, you only get one chance to hire the right lawyer. The insurance companies have teams of lawyers whose job is to deny your claim, delay your case, and pressure you into taking less than you deserve. Just look at how many stadiums and arenas they sponsor—their goal is to pay you less and protect their profits.
At Kirkbride Dayton, we’re different. We’re not a flashy billboard firm—you’re not paying for our marketing. You’re hiring two veterans who know how to fight, and who treat every case with focus, strategy, and respect.
If you’ve already hired a big-name firm and feel like just another case number, call us. We’ll take the time to listen, and we’ll fight to win. We’re building our firm one satisfied client at a time.