About Us - Jay
early years
Jay Strongwater
Jay Strongwater was born in New Rochelle, New York. After high school, he attended Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. He received his BA in Political Science in 1973.
In 1974 he found himself in Athens, Georgia where he attended law school at the University of Georgia.
Upon graduation, he clerked for the Honorable John E. Dougherty, United States Magistrate Judge. Following this clerkship, Jay was one of the first attorneys at the Federal Defender Program in Atlanta, Georgia. After working for the Federal Defender Program, Jay was a special law clerk for the Honorable Robert L. Vining, Jr, United States District Judge for the Northern District of Georgia.
Strongwater & Associates, llc
After a short stint as an associate, Jay established his own law firm in 1984, specializing in criminal defense work and civil litigation.
Columbian Consulate
For the past twenty years Jay has been the legal representative for the Colombian Consulate for the Southeastern United States. In that capacity Jay has provided legal opinions on a wide range and variety of matters, including family law, immigration, and post-conviction criminal matter issues.
Client Priority
Jay Strongwater has dedicated his career to representing those people whose lives have been impacted by the criminal justice system. His first priority is always the welfare of his client. Forty years as a criminal defense attorney has taught him that there is no substitute for experience and hard work. He also believes that the respect and trust he has with judges, prosecutors and fellow defense attorneys benefit the client.
reputation
Mr. Strongwater has earned a reputation as a conscientious and thoroughly prepared attorney. He asks the tough questions and knows how to build a winning strategy. Jay has experience in defending clients in all phases of the criminal process: investigation, trial, and appeal. He has handled cases of every kind in federal courts primarily in Georgia but also throughout the United States. Mr. Strongwater incorporates the lessons learned from clerking for federal magistrate and district court judges. Mr. Strongwater is often quoted in the media on pending high profile cases. As the principal of the firm, Mr. Strongwater personally handles every case. Jay has appeared before district courts throughout the United States and the United States Court of Appeals for the Second, Fourth, Fifth and Eleventh Circuits..
Jay has an AV rating from Martindale and Hubbell.
Memberships
- Georgia Bar Association
- American Bar Association
- National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
-
Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
(Life Member, Vice President, 1996-97) -
Atlanta Bar Association
(Board of Directors, 1994-95) - American Constitutional Society
- American Board of Criminal Lawyers
Admissions
- Admitted to all Georgia courts
- United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia
- United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
- United States Supreme Court
Appeared before the United States Court of Appeals for the Second, Fourth, Fifth, and Eleventh Circuits
Photo by Piera Moore
Award of the sword
In 2014, Jay received the Leeza R. Cherniak Award of the Sword from the Federal Defender Program. Every year, the FDP recognizes one attorney who shows a commitment to the cause of justice.
