Vernon Thomas is a military attorney, community servant, and judicial candidate for the 19th Judicial District Court in Baton Rouge. In this heartfelt conversation, Vernon and Kyla reflect on his legal journey—from public defender and prosecutor to staff attorney and JAG officer—and how each role shaped his approach to justice. With lessons from his father, mentorship from respected judges, and deep Southern roots, Vernon is driven by more than ambition—he’s driven by service.
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Vernon Thomas has spent his legal career walking in multiple lanes—military, public defense, civil litigation, prosecution, and judicial support. After graduating from Southern University Law Center, he worked for the East Baton Rouge Public Defender’s Office, served as a brigade prosecutor in the Army JAG Corps, and later clerked for judges in both New Orleans and Baton Rouge. Today, he runs a private practice, serves as a municipal prosecutor, and is the staff attorney to Judge Collette Greggs. Through every experience, Vernon has deepened his understanding of the law from both the frontlines and behind the bench.
“It makes a huge difference when you’ve been able to see that multiple times, multiple jurisdictions, from multiple angles," shares Vernon Thomas on You Are A Lawyer.
His diverse legal perspective is matched by an unwavering commitment to community. With roots in both New Orleans and Baton Rouge, Vernon carries his family’s legacy and the lessons of service forward through his campaign for judge. He’s practiced in the very court he’s now seeking to serve, and he brings with him not just experience—but empathy, discipline, and vision.
For Vernon, law school wasn’t just about prestige or profession—it was personal. His father, a respected attorney and community figure, planted the seed. Attending Southern University Law Center wasn’t just the next step; it was an extension of a family legacy. He watched his mentors and family model ethical, impact-driven lawyering, and he entered law school not just to follow in their footsteps but to expand on what they built.
“My father taught me how to be a man. Tedrick and Deidre taught me how to be a lawyer," reflects Vernon Thomas on Episode 194 of You Are a Lawyer.
At Southern, Vernon found more than an education—he found alignment. It gave him tools and relationships that would shape his career for years to come. Law school sharpened his intellect, but it also rooted him in a community that continues to guide his professional values.
According to Vernon, a law degree is one of the most powerful tools you can hold—if you use it with intention. He’s done the work: defending those without a voice, prosecuting high-stakes military cases, advising generals, guiding judges, and counseling clients. His law degree gave him access, but his sense of duty is what gave it purpose.
“You are not a lawyer until you have a client," shared Vernon Thomas on Episode 194 of You Are a Lawyer.
He stresses that legal knowledge is only part of the equation. Showing up, putting in the time, and understanding how the system works—from the courthouse clerk to the judge’s chambers—is what truly makes a great lawyer. The degree opens the door, but commitment and character determine what you do once you're inside.
Vernon’s not one to chase flashy side hustles—his hustle is service. In addition to his military service and legal practice, he helps run the Cutting Edge Music Business Conference, a long-running event originally founded by his father and godfather. The conference helps attorneys gain education in television, film, and music law, especially as digital media transforms the industry. Vernon contributes by advising on ethical issues and supporting work-for-hire contracts for local creatives.
“It was originally designed to kind of be similar to South by Southwest, where lawyers can come and get education in the television, film, and music industry,” expresses Vernon Thomas in Episode 194 of You Are a Lawyer.
Through this work, Vernon supports artists and advocates for fair contracts and informed decision-making. It’s a creative outlet that intersects naturally with his legal career—and a meaningful way to stay rooted in his family legacy while helping others grow.
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Vernon is licensed to practice law in the State of Louisiana.
Kyla Denanyoh hosts the You Are A Lawyer podcast.
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