Martin J. Elgison, 74, passed away unexpectedly on October 29, 2025. He was born in Miami, Florida to the late Hyman and Rose Elgison (nee Lang) on February 22, 1951.
Marty was the founder and former chair of Alston & Bird’s nationally ranked intellectual property practice. During his tenure at the firm, he served as lead counsel in patent, trademark, copyright, trade dress, trade secret and false advertising litigation, as well as disputed matters involving computer software and other technologies. At the appellate level he argued cases before the Fifth, Sixth, Eighth, Ninth and Eleventh Circuit Courts of Appeals. He also represented clients in negotiating and structuring complex transactions involving technology and intellectual property rights. Marty’s clients included NASCAR, Wendy’s, Arby’s and CARQUEST, among others. Marty also represented the family of the famous golfer Bobby Jones. Marty was listed in every edition of The Best Lawyers in America for his expertise in Intellectual Property Law since the list’s inception in 1991-1992 until his retirement in 2011. He was also listed in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, for excellence in the Intellectual Property Law category, and recognized as a Georgia Super Lawyer each year since 2004 until his retirement.
Marty was a co-founder and President of the Bobby Jones Golf Course Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit that extensively renovated and now operates the Bobby Jones Golf Course. Marty was the chief executive officer of the Foundation, overseeing all aspects of the project, including architectural design, project management, and operations. The unique, Bob Cupp-designed course opened in November 2018 to rave reviews and public enthusiasm. The project is being supported by the GSGA, the Georgia Section of the PGA, the USGA, the PGA Tour, and some of the leading philanthropic institutions in Atlanta and Georgia, as well as many individuals and companies. What began as Marty’s desire to update the Bobby Jones Golf Course, which had suffered from years of deferred capital repairs and improvements, evolved into one of the premier and most highly regarded daily fee courses in the United States. It has received numerous accolades from a multitude of national golf publications, social media, and television as a successful model for municipal golf course renewal through community investment.
He is survived by his wife of 5 years, Elizabeth Bell, and his children, Evan and Ollie, for whom he devoted unconditional love and gratitude. He is also survived by his brother Howard (Susan) and nieces Deborah Cunningham (Graham) and Holly Schillaci (Leonard) and his great nieces and nephews. Marty was predeceased by his first wife, Juli Elgison.
Marty was a loyal friend who cherished his friendships, never taking them for granted. He was a humble mentor to many and took pride in the accomplishments of those he guided on their personal and professional journeys.
The memorial service will be held at 12:30 pm on Monday, November 3, 2025, at The Temple, located at 1589 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30309. Visitation and Shiva will immediately follow the services in Schwartz-Goldstein Hall until 4 pm. The services may be watched online here.
Shiva will continue from 7:00 to 9:00 pm on Monday, November 3, 2025, and Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at the Bobby Jones Golf Course in the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame, 2205 Northside Drive NW, Atlanta, GA 30305.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that those who wish to make a donation kindly consider the Bobby Jones Golf Course Foundation.
