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Associate
Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
James R. Strickland put in five years as a high school humanities teacher before deciding to take up a career in law. “The law was always on my radar,” Strickland said. “As a teacher, I was constantly telling my students to chase their dreams, so I figured it was only fair to take my own advice.” Now a specialist in employment litigation, he’s part of Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath’s labor and employment office, assisting nonprofit groups, institutions of higher education, manufacturers and small and midsize businesses with a wide range of critical employment issues that includes litigation, risk management and compliance issues. He acquired an interest in the field during his clerkship with then-Chief Judge Tanya Walton Pratt in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana. “I worked on many cases involving federal employment statutes,” he said. “I enjoyed how such cases mix business realities with very personal stories. There’s never a dull moment in this practice area.”
Givebacks: member, Conner Prairie Horizon Council, and co-chair, planning committee, Conner Prairie’s History on Tap fundraiser; den leader, Cub Scouts
First job: Warehouse worker in the shipping department of a wedding accessory manufacturer. “I saved up money to buy my first car, a beloved 1994 Honda Accord coupe.”
Mentor: Brian Garrison, Faegre labor and employment partner and Indianapolis office leader. “Brian has an approachable style and a knack for offering insightful guidance, whether it’s about legal strategy or professional growth.”
Recent wins: “I’ve had the opportunity to take on a large role in managing cases and client relationships. I’m proud of the increased independence in my practice and the confidence that clients and my firm have shown in me.”
Lessons learned: “Being uncomfortable is a good thing. It means you’re growing. As Mario Andretti said, ‘If everything seems under control, you’re just not going fast enough.’”
Favorite de-stressors: Reading fiction and working out. “I’m one of those people who gets up at 4:30 a.m. to do those things and enjoy some quiet time ahead of the day.”•
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