Vernon Strickland, Engineer Turned Attorney
For 150 years, Mercer has trained lawyers who are renowned for their lifelong loyalty to the Law School, law students, graduates, and to their communities. The Law School’s small size fosters strong professional and personal relationships that continue after graduation. The incredible support and commitment of the close-knit alumni base is one of Mercer Law School’s greatest assets.
Almost daily, Mercer alumni are on campus serving as teachers, mentors, coaches, and recruiters. Recently, Vernon M. Strickland, ’06, addressed a group of 3L students in Bell Jones Courtroom, offering keys to success in passing the Bar exam. After overcoming a serious childhood medical condition and other family tragedies, Vernon earned a bachelor’s degree in textile engineering from Georgia Tech (Class of 1998), where he also played linebacker as a successful football walk-on. Following a short professional football career as an NFL journeyman with the New York Giants, San Francisco 49ers, Berlin Thunder of NFL Europe, and Berlin Adlers of the German League of American Football, Vernon worked as a mechanical engineer for a global automotive electronics company. Then he decided to enroll in law school. Vernon earned his J.D. with honors at Mercer Law in 2006. As a student, he made the Dean’s List, earned the Dean’s Distinguished Service Award and the Faculty Award for Excellence in Legal Writing, and served on the Moot Court Board.
In his presentation, Vernon outlined the process for studying for the Bar that was successful for him eighteen years ago. His five keys to passing the Bar are: get your house in order/make big decisions before taking the exam or wait until after the exam so your mind is a place for concentration; make a 10-week plan for Bar prep season; work the plan every day – don’t skip a day, don’t rush through the plan, prepare as if preparing for a marathon; hold each other (classmates) accountable; and adopt a no-excuses attitude.
According to Mercer Law Academic Success and Bar Specialist Harold Heck, ’14, preparation is indeed critical to successful Bar passage. “Every Mercer Law graduate has the skills and abilities to pass the bar exam. As Vernon points out it takes proper planning and preparation leading up to the summer and then ten weeks of hard work, sacrifice, and a solid support system. As a Mercer Law alum myself, seeing other alums supporting current students reminds me how fortunate I am to be a part of the Mercer Law family.”
Vernon has experience representing private equity funds and their respective companies. He also advises businesses on government contracts, including advice, consultation, public meetings and hearings, negotiation and litigation concerning the contracting and purchasing activities of governmental entities. He is often called on by clients to help them tackle their most challenging and complex disputes. He has successfully litigated cases and administrative matters involving complex commercial disputes, copyright, trade secret, patent infringement, intellectual property licensing, construction, real estate, employment discrimination, legal malpractice and federal partnership tax, and government purchasing activities.
Vernon has also represented educational institutions in connection with various matters involving student affairs, athletics, Title IX sex discrimination and harassment, the Clery Act and campus safety and security, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and student privacy issues, student conduct and discipline, faculty, staff and student policies, procedures and handbooks, as well as vendor contracts and relationship management.
He is often engaged by companies and colleges to handle internal investigations ranging from sexual misconduct to alleged NCAA infractions. He also assists artists, athletes and entertainment companies draft contracts, protect creative rights, and litigate disputes.
Since 2018, Vernon has been a lecturer for Georgia Tech’s School of Public Policy, where he teaches oral advocacy. Prior to Strickland Debrow LLP, Vernon was a partner with the law firm of Wargo & French LLP, and prior to that, he was senior counsel with the multinational law firm of Holland & Knight LLP, with whom he commenced his legal career in 2006.
Vernon is a member of Leadership Georgia, Class of 2020-21. He was recently selected to the board of directors for the Newnan-Coweta Chamber of Commerce, beginning his term in 2023. He has also served as a director of organizations including Camp Sunshine, a non-profit organization devoted to enriching the lives of children with cancer and their families through recreational, educational, and support programs; The Law Pipeline Program, Inc., a non-profit organization whose mission is to develop a legal pipeline for metro-Atlanta high school students by encouraging an interest in law and promoting the development of the skills necessary to succeed academically and professionally; and Newnan-Coweta Habitat for Humanity.
In the spring of 2012, Vernon was selected as one of 12 southeastern regional finalists for the White House Fellows program, one of America’s most prestigious programs for leadership and public service. In 2008, he was recognized as a Georgia Tech Living History honoree.
