Lawyers

Manoj S. “Sachin” Varghese, Partner

Sachin represents plaintiffs and defendants in complex, high-stakes trial and appellate litigation.  He has recovered more than $300 million dollars for plaintiffs and achieved complete victories for defendants at trial and on motions practice.  Sachin represents victims of criminal conduct and whistleblowers, parties in business disputes, governmental entities, and parties in election-related matters.  He has extensive experience with state and federal RICO claims.  

Additionally, Sachin serves as General Counsel for the Democratic Party of Georgia, where he is responsible for all legal matters including election law, compliance, labor and employment, and contracts.

Before joining the firm, Sachin served as a law clerk to the Honorable Richard W. Story in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia.

Sachin received his Juris Doctor, cum laude,  from the University of Georgia School of Law. While in law school, he served as an editor of the Law Review and a member of the national moot court competition team. 

He received his Bachelor of Arts, magna cum laude,  in political science and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Georgia School of Public and International Affairs.

Representative Work

Representing the family members of opioid drug abusers against defendants, including pharmaceutical distributors, that illegally flooded their communities with opioids and other controlled substances.

Representing sex trafficking victims against hotels that facilitated and participated in their trafficking.

Successfully represented a major airline in obtaining dismissal of federal RICO claims and affirmance of dismissal on appeal.

Successfully represented defendants in obtaining a jury verdict on all claims, including state RICO claim, in an action seeking over $15 million in damages.

Successfully defended the City of Atlanta's COVID-19 mask order against a lawsuit brought by Governor Kemp.

Successfully defended Athens-Clarke County against challenges to its COVID-related ordinances.

Successfully represented two whistleblowers in a False Claims Act case against a pharmaceutical company for paying kickbacks to induce doctors to prescribe its drug for off-label uses.  The case resulted in a $116 million global civil/criminal settlement.

Successfully represented a woman who was sexually harassed by prominent on-air media personalities, and obtained a confidential settlement prior to filing suit.

Successfully served as plaintiffs’ counsel in an action alleging professional malpractice, fraud, and RICO claims against a Big Four accounting firm, resulting in a confidential settlement.

Successfully served as plaintiffs’ counsel in a class action breach of contract/RICO case alleging that a Fortune 100 shipping company intentionally overcharged its customers by imposing unwarranted delivery surcharges. The case settled for $21.5 million.

Successfully defended a corporation against claims by a competitor of tortious interference with contract.

Successfully defended a corporation against claims by minority shareholders of fraud and other wrongdoing.

REPRESENTATIVE PRO BONO WORK 

Successfully represented amici, including former prosecutors, in challenge to conviction of Johnny Lee Gates that resulted from prosecutorial misconduct.  Mr. Gates was ultimately released 43 years after being sentenced to death.

Successfully represented an inmate abused by a prison official. 

Successfully represented tenants facing eviction through Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation’s Eviction Defense Program.

Represented the Legislative Black Caucus of Georgia, Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials, and League of United Latin American Citizens in challenging Georgia’s 2011 redistricting plans.

Represented a death row inmate in challenging Georgia’s lethal injection secrecy act, including oral argument before the Georgia Supreme Court.

Successfully represented an elected official in pursuing a defamation claim relating to false political advertising.

Professional Activities

Fair Count, Board of Directors, Member

Georgia Budget and Policy Institute, Board of Directors, Member

Planned Parenthood Southeast Advocates, Board of Directors, Member

University of Georgia Law School Association Council, Member

Alliance for Justice Building the Bench Advisory Council, Member

American Constitution Society, Georgia Lawyers Chapter Executive Board, Member

Honors and Awards

Georgia Super Lawyer, 2020 – 2024

Leadership Council on Legal Diversity, Fellow, 2023 

“On The Rise,” Fulton County Daily Report Georgia Legal Awards, 2021

Atlanta Business Chronicle 40 Under 40, 2020

Georgia Rising Star, 2016 – 2019

LEAD Atlanta Class of 2014

News

Photo of Manoj S. “Sachin” Varghese
Atlanta
1201 West Peachtree Street NW
Suite 3900
Atlanta, GA 30309

Education

University of Georgia, J.D., cum laude, 2009

  • Articles Editor, Georgia Law Review
  • Winner, Talmadge Moot Court Competition
  • Winner and Best Oralist, Russell Moot Court Competition
  • Winner, Beaird Closing Argument Competition
  • Order of the Barristers

University of Georgia, M.P.A., 2005

University of Georgia, B.A., magna cum laude, 2005

  • Foundation Fellow
  • Phi Beta Kappa 
  • President, Student Government Association

Previous Experience

Law Clerk, Judge Richard W. Story, U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia, 2009-2011

Admissions