Eric Vernon has been focused on criminal law since 1997. For several years, he worked as a public defender in Missouri. He had special assignment to juvenile court, and was part of the committee that established Clay County’s Drug Court. A 1995 graduate of St. Louis University School of Law, he is licensed in Kansas, Missouri and Illinois. In 1986, he graduated from the United States Coast Guard Academy and spent eight years of commissioned service afloat and ashore. He is also a previously licensed merchant mariner: Master of Oceans (steam or motor vessels not greater than 1600 GT).
Although he grew up with a lawyer father and an admiration for Atticus Finch, Clarence Darrow, and F. Lee Bailey, he can’t say he had a burning desire to be a lawyer. As a young and single Coast Guard officer stranded in the gateway to the west, Vernon went to law school at night while guarding our coasts by day.
Law school took a little extra time, as he spent one summer in Operation Desert Storm and a two year sabbatical on a ship in Alaska. After finishing law school, he took another detour to work on tugboats in the Caribbean. Eventually, he settled back home in Kansas City and found his calling working for the Missouri Public Defender’s Office in Clay County.
The other lawyers and staff at the Public Defender’s Office and the many clients taught him the dedication, determination, and skills necessary to give his clients the quality of representation and counsel that they deserve.
In the arena of criminal law, Eric has successfully represented individuals charged with a wide variety of crimes, including federal conspiracy to manufacture and/or distribute drugs, trafficking in drugs, sexual assault, statutory rape, 1st degree murder, manslaughter, weapons charges, possession of controlled substance, child molestation, possession of child pornography, robbery, armed criminal action, and many more criminal charges.
Eric also enjoys working with juveniles who have managed to run afoul of the law and their exasperated parents.
He also likes to that he was honored to be a part of the committee that created the Clay County Drug Court and Veterans Court. He is a big believer in restorative justice and the possibility of redemption. He strongly advocates the mission of the area drug courts, mental health courts, and family drug courts. He often works to get clients entered into the drug courts.
Areas of practice:
Employment Discrimination
Missouri, Kansas and Federal Criminal Defense
DUI/DWI and Traffic Violations
Juvenile Law
Personal Injury Claims
Bar Admissions:
Missouri
Kansas
Illinois
Education:
Saint Louis University School of Law, St. Louis, Missouri
J.D. – May 1995
Honors: With Honors
United States Coast Guard Academy, New London, Connecticut
United States Coast Guard Academy, New London, Connecticut
B.S. – May 1986
Major: Government
Honors & Awards:
Navy Commendation Medal
Coast Guard Achievement Medal
Southwest Asia Defense Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Past employment positions:
Law Offices of Brian Costello, Kansas City, Missouri, Criminal Defense Attorney, 2002 – 2004
Law Office Eric E. Vernon, Gladstone, Missouri, Solo Practitioner, Criminal Defense Attorney, 2001 – 2002
Area 7, Clay County, Missouri, Assistant Public Defender, 1999 – 2001
Crowley Marine Services, Lake Charles, Louisiana, Chief Mate, 2d Mate, 1996 – 1998
Stobbs and Sinclair, Alton, Illinois, Attorney, Law Clerk, 1995 – 1996
U.S.C.G. Cutter Sweetbrier, Cordova, Alaska, Executive Officer, 1992 – 1994
Commander, 2d Coast Guard District, St. Louis, Missouri, Duty Officer, Budget, Supply, Planning and Special Projects for Operations, 1988 – 1992
U.S.C.G. Cutter Woodrush, Sitka, Alaska, Operations Officer, Communication Officer, 1986 – 1988
Commander, U.S. Naval Central Command, Manama, Bahrain, Duty Officer, Embargo Watch Officer, 1991
