Vernon M. Strickland
Representative Matters:
- Represented private equity fund and shareholders of investment company in a two-week jury trial against international law firm, winning a $4.7 million verdict. The case involved allegations that law firm had committed malpractice and breached fiduciary duties by giving the fund bad tax advice and then failing to disclose that error to the fund and the shareholders.
- Represented manufacturer and patent holder of electric turkey fryers in patent infringement litigation against publicly-traded national retailer; reached favorable settlement after expedited fact discovery and exchange expert reports prior to preliminary injunction hearing.
- Defended automated water meter supplier in a purported class action brought by residential and commercial water users.
- Defended major supplier of medical devices to Veterans Administration hospitals in defense of antitrust claims; obtained a dismissal of action following two hearings for temporary restraining orders.
- Defended CEO of publicly traded company against claims relating to alleged Ponzi scheme and CEO’s purported role as venture capitalist in another company; obtained dismissal of action following motion to dismiss.
- Defended antitrust claims and a purported class action challenging mandatory electronic filing in Texas and Georgia, obtaining summary judgment in both cases; Georgia case also affirmed on appeal.
- Prosecuted copyright infringement actions throughout Georgia on behalf of members of one of the world’s largest performing rights licensing societies to protect those members' copyrighted musical compositions.
- Obtained summary judgment in defense of Fortune 100 beverage company in copyright infringement action claiming the plaintiff to be the author of song used in worldwide marketing campaign.
- Prosecuted numerous trademark applications before USPTO.
- Represented certified platinum and U.S. Billboard Hot 100 hip-hop recording artist in publishing dispute against his former managers.
- Represented major ride-share technology company’s automotive lease provider in obtaining dismissal of citations concerning vehicle registrations.
- Obtained reversal of $32 million premises liability plaintiff’s verdict against amusement park.
- Represented and advised companies and institutions regarding technology services agreements.
- Represented employers in litigation concerning claims of unlawful discrimination based on color, gender, race, national origin, and religion.
- Conducted numerous investigations concerning allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct.
- Conducted large scale investigations, involving more than 10 witnesses, concerning allegations that employers maintained a hostile culture or a discriminatory work environment.
- Prosecuted claims in various jurisdictions on behalf of biomaterial products company for misappropriation of trade secrets, breach of restrictive covenants, and associated breaches of duty against former employees and competing companies.
- Represented data analytics airline industry company and its chief executive in defending claims for misappropriation of trade secrets and enforcement of restrictive covenants.
- Advised employers on compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act.
- Negotiated NFL player contracts.
- Represented NFL player in arbitration grievance proceedings.
- Conducted sexual harassment prevention training in the post-Weinstein era for employees and managers of entertainment entity.
- Defended college and university clients in litigation involving claims of wrongful termination and wrongful expulsion filed by former employees and students.
- Provided advice to college and university clients on Title IX compliance and investigation procedures.
- Conducted SAG-AFTRA training for entertainment and media client.
- Secured monies on behalf of on-screen talent and talent agencies in resolving disputes with producers over compensations owed pursuant to negotiated rates under collectively bargained SAG-AFTRA agreements.
- Advised and prepared agreements for literary acquisition, producer agreements and on-screen talent in film and television productions.
- Represented automotive financial services company in prosecuting rogue automobile dealerships for providing false information to induce the purchase of several vehicle retail installment contracts.
- Represented automotive financing companies in state and federal courts for claims involving state and federal forfeiture, replevin, warranty of title.
Publications:
- Mentioned, Alston & Bird Liable for $4.7M in Legal Malpractice Case, Law.com Daily Report (December 19, 2019)
- Georgia's New Sexual Misconduct Policy, Inside Higher Ed (August 11, 2016)
- Court Rules That Student-Athletes Are Not Employees Under the FLSA, Employee Benefit Plan Review (May 2016)
- Hiring, Firing and Discipline for Georgia Employers, American Chamber of Commerce Resources, LLC (May 2008)
Published Decisions:
- Martin v. Six Flags Over Georgia II, L.P., 801 S.E.2d 24 (Ga. 2017)
- Best Jewelry Mfg. Co., Inc. v. Reed Elsevier Inc., 780 S.E.2d 689 (Ga.App. 2015)
- Six Flags Over Georgia II, L.P. v. Martin, 780 S.E.2d 796 (Ga.App. 2015)
- Hermosilla v. Coca-Cola Co., 492 Fed.Appx. 73 (11th Cir. 2012)
- Hermosilla v. Coca-Cola Co., 446 Fed.Appx. 201 (11th Cir. 2011)
- City of Atlanta v. Benator, 714 S.E.2d 109 (Ga.App. 2011)
- Vergara Hermosilla v. Coca-Cola Co., No. 10-21418-CIV, 2011 WL 744098 (S.D. Fla. Feb. 23, 2011)
- Khattab v. Morehouse Sch. of Med., No. 07-CV-196, 2009 WL 2600523 (N.D. Ga. Aug. 20, 2009)
- Zyman v. O’Gara Aviation, L.L.C., 2008 WL 11411603 (N.D. Ga. Dec. 8, 2008)
Practice Areas:
Complex Commercial Litigation
Employment Litigation and Preventative Services
Internal Investigations
Intellectual Property and Trade Secrets
Entertainment Litigation
Financial Services Litigation
Class and Collective Action Litigation
Office:
Education and Background:
- Mercer University, Walter F. George School of Law
J.D., with honors, 2006
Dean’s Distinguished Service Award
Dean’s List
Moot Court Board
- Georgia Institute of Technology
Bachelor Textile Engineering, 1998
Dean’s List
Varsity Football - Team Captain, Special Teams
National Comeback Player of the Year Nominee
- Mechanical Engineer
Automotive Electronics Manufacturing, 2001-2003
- Professional Athlete - Linebacker
New York Giants, 2000-2001
San Francisco 49ers, 1998-1999
Berlin Thunder (NFL Europe), 1999
Berlin Adler (German League of American Football), 1997
Professional Activities:
- Leadership Georgia Class of 2020
- Member of the Intellectual Property Section of the Atlanta Bar Association
- Member of the Entertainment & Sports Section of the State Bar of Georgia
- Member of the National Association of College and University Attorneys
- White House Fellows Program regional finalist, 2012