Step Left & Move Forward

She was a teen mom and a high school dropout. Now she is the owner and CEO of one of the fastest-growing law firms in Atlanta.

Tessie D. Edwards has dominated the obstacles in her life by remembering one simple phrase: "Step left, move forward."

A Super Lawyer® recognized for her legal excellence and client advocacy, Tessie has built TDE Family Law & Divorce Attorneys into one of the fastest-growing family law firms in Atlanta, earning her a spot on the Inc. 5000® list that celebrates America's fastest-growing private companies. In the summer of 2025, she expanded the TDE family with the launch of TDE Criminal Defense Attorneys, bringing her same relentless advocacy to clients facing the criminal justice system. In her compelling memoir, Edwards details how she navigated teenage motherhood, financial struggles, tumultuous relationships, and entrepreneurship on her path to becoming a powerhouse in the legal field and a beacon of hope for families across Georgia. Her story is a testament to a simple but often unheeded truth: your mindset can change your life.