Mercer Law School graduate L. Lin Wood advocated for the late Richard Jewell to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom while providing insights from a career representing high-profile clients during the inaugural Mercer Legal Legends lecture held Jan. 16 on campus.
 
“As Richard’s advocate… I want the president of the United States to award Richard Jewell the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which is the highest honor the president can bestow on a civilian in this country that did not serve in the military,” Wood continued. “It’s the right thing to do, for the right person at the right time.”
 
Wood, a 1977 graduate, was selected to kick off the new series intended to invite distinguished alumni to share their legal expertise and perspectives with Mercer Law students. He focused his lecture on professionalism, citing examples from his 43 years of experience as a trial lawyer.
 
“You’re not going into business. You’re going into a profession where the best interest of your client dictates everything you do,” stated Wood. “You don’t do it for money…it’s not about fame and fortune. It’s about what is in the best interest of your client. That’s professionalism.”
 
Wood is one of the nation’s most prominent First Amendment/defamation litigators representing high-profile clients, including Covington Catholic High School student Nicholas Sandmann in matters related to media portrayals after a 2019 Lincoln Memorial confrontation and Vernon Unsworth in defamation litigation arising from tweets made by Elon Musk.
 
The case that changed both Wood’s career and life was representing Jewell in connection with the 1996 bombing of Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta. He continues advocating for truth for Jewell, even 13 years after his death.
 
“We need to stand for what Richard Jewell stood for, and what I’ve tried to stand up for my whole life. We need to stand up for truth, we need to stand up for justice where people are treated fairly, where people are treated respectfully,” said Wood.
 
Wood covered a wide range of topics in his remarks and in a question-and-answer session afterwards. He questioned the propriety of the landmark 1964 New York Times v. Sullivan standard for defamation lawsuits, discussed some of his personal approaches to trials and depositions, and urged students to always keep their client’s interest at the center of their work.
 
This lecture is the first of an annual series featuring prominent lawyers who have made considerable contributions to the practice of law while sharing their careers and legal expertise with Mercer Law students.  
 
“With a prolific career protecting the First Amendment rights of his clients, Lin Wood is a fitting lawyer to launch Mercer Legal Legends,” said Mercer Law dean Cathy Cox. “His career exemplifies the intent of Mercer Legal Legends – inspiring students to discover broader interests in the law, which can shape perspectives into robust legal careers.”