Inspiring Conversations with Rory Starkey of The Starkey Law Group

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rory Starkey.

Hi Rory, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was a full-time student at Howard University with no financial assistance from family. To support myself, I worked full-time overnight shifts at the U.S. Post Office while attending classes during the day. I’d leave work in the morning and rush straight to my 9 a.m. lectures. During my sophomore year, management imposed mandatory overtime, which would’ve meant missing class. When given an ultimatum, keep the job or stay in school, I chose education. I lost a $27/hour job in 1987 and cried like a baby. But I never looked back.

Determined to stay afloat, I took a job as a security guard through a temp agency. Eventually, I was placed at Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP, one of the top law firms in the country. There, a receptionist I befriended helped me land a job as a file clerk. That role unexpectedly fulfilled a practicum requirement at Howard, and while I had no plans of becoming a lawyer, being surrounded by brilliant legal minds, people like Sargent Shriver, Martin Ginsburg, and Harvey Pitt sparked something in me.

One day, after forming a friendship through our law firm’s basketball league, an attorney named Bill Davis asked, “Starkey, have you ever thought about becoming a litigator?” I laughed and said, “No. Why do you ask?” He told me I had the presence and cadence for it. That comment was the first seed planted in my mind. If someone like Bill believed I had what it took, maybe I did.

Inspired but realistic, I spoke to the Dean of Arts & Sciences at Howard. I’ll never forget what he told me: “No law school will accept you.” At the time, I had come back from academic probation after a 1.4 GPA my freshman year, but I had worked hard to raise my GPA. His doubt didn’t deter me. It fueled me. By the time I graduated, my GPA was a 3.1. Not great, but a significant improvement.

Once my goal was cemented, I created a strict study plan, class, work, and library time from 9 to 5, Monday through Friday. I worked part-time, stayed focused, and poured everything into preparing for law school. I became an expert in the application process, tracked down fee waivers due to my low income, and applied to about 50 schools. I was accepted to 13, including the University of Florida, Wake Forest, Villanova, the University of Miami, and Catholic University. I even applied to Ivy League schools, just to test my limits.

I ultimately accepted a full scholarship to Mercer University School of Law, funded in part by the Patricia Roberts Harris Fellowship. Ironically, Patricia Roberts Harris had once been a partner at Fried Frank, the same firm where I worked. I tied that connection into my scholarship essay and was awarded full tuition, a monthly stipend, and a book allowance.

The people at Fried Frank celebrated with me. When they learned I was heading to law school, they promoted me from file clerk to paralegal. My last summer before law school, I was doing real legal work, proof that faith, preparation, and perseverance truly do pay off.

Looking back, I’m grateful for every setback. They weren’t detours; they were part of the plan. The voices of doubt were loud, but my faith was louder. God opened every door that others said would be closed.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Practicing law in Atlanta has been both a privilege and a true test of resilience. When I first arrived as a newly minted law school graduate, I was eager to make a meaningful impact. But I quickly learned that Atlanta’s legal landscape is as complex and competitive as it is diverse.

One of my foundational roles, as a staff attorney for the City of Atlanta, was instrumental in shaping my understanding of the deep interplay between law and politics. That experience paved the way for my later tenure as a Senior Attorney for Fulton County, where I gained invaluable insights into local government operations and built trusted relationships with public officials and department leaders.

One of the most defining challenges of my career came when I made the leap from public service to private practice. Leaving the security of government work to build my own law firm from the ground up required faith, sacrifice, and determination. Transitioning into private practice meant taking on the dual responsibilities of building a client base while running the day-to-day operations of a firm. In a city as fast-paced and evolving as Atlanta, establishing credibility demanded long hours, strategic thinking, and unwavering commitment.

Today, I’m proud that my firm serves a diverse mix of public and private clients across Georgia, including those in the highly regulated coin-operated amusement machine (COAM) industry. We continue to advise local governments on a broad spectrum of legal matters ranging from legislation and public safety to ethics, zoning, and litigation.

Atlanta’s rapid growth and shifting political climate ensure that no two cases are ever the same. That dynamism is what keeps the work meaningful. Whether I’m advocating in court or providing strategic counsel to city officials, I’m honored to support both communities and businesses as they navigate the legal terrain.

In recent years, we’ve expanded our practice to include personal injury and sports law, deepening our commitment to serving the broader Atlanta community. One of the greatest challenges during this period of growth was finding the right people to support and execute our vision. Today, I’m proud to say we’ve built the right team, a dynamic group of attorneys, paralegals, and administrative professionals whose talent and dedication have become the foundation of our practice. Their collective strength has allowed us to overcome growing pains and continue delivering the high-quality, client-centered service that defines our work.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
The Starkey Law Group is a boutique law firm with a powerful reach, specializing in Personal Injury, Local Government Law, Coin-Operated Amusement Machine (COAM) Law, and Sports Law. What sets us apart is our unwavering commitment to not only delivering strong legal outcomes, but also providing real support, honest counsel, and a deep understanding of the challenges our clients face.

We’re known for our integrity, meticulous preparation, and the lasting trust we’ve earned across both public and private sectors. From advocating for individuals recovering from life-altering injuries, to guiding businesses through the regulatory maze of COAM licensing, to serving as trusted legal advisors for local governments, our work is grounded in purpose and service.

Whether we’re advocating in a courtroom, advising in a council chamber, or supporting athletes navigating collegiate or professional transitions, our mission remains the same: to protect our clients’ rights and help them move forward with clarity and confidence.

What we’re most proud of, brand-wise, is the reputation we’ve built through consistent service, ethical leadership, and meaningful results. Our clients aren’t just case files, they’re our neighbors, community leaders, and people who trust us during some of the most critical moments in their lives. We take the time to understand their goals, demystify the legal process, and deliver strategy with precision and care.

To your readers: If you’re looking for a legal partner who blends big-firm experience with personalized attention, we invite you to connect with us. Whether you’re recovering from an injury, resolving a complex business issue, facing a municipal legal challenge, or in need of sports representation, The Starkey Law Group is here to walk alongside you, every step of the way, with the strength, strategy, and support you deserve.

Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
Books: Holy Bible, Getting Things Done by David Allen, No Ego by Cy Wakeman, and The Diary of a CEO by Steven Bartlett

Apps: YouTube

Resources: My Church, Word of Faith Family Worship Cathedral

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.starkeylawgroup.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestarkeylawgroup/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Starkey-Law-Group/61556354022525/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-starkey-law-group/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheStarkeyLawGroup

Image Credits
Crisp