Thomas B. "Tommy" Shepherd III
Recognized since 2001
Jackson, Mississippi
Practice Areas
Corporate Law
Gaming Law
Tommy Shepherd is a partner in the Corporate Practice Group. He advises businesses, Native American tribes, and financial institutions on a wide range of commercial and transactional matters. Tommy represents a broad spectrum of clients in all types of commercial and regulated matters. He has extensive experience in acquisitions, public-private leases, financings, land-use approvals, statutory and regulatory interpretation and compliance, operations, and administrative hearings. An accomplished gaming attorney, Tommy advises some of the world’s largest gaming operators and suppliers, and he is a regular contributor to the firm’s Gulf States Gaming Law Blog, available at www.gulfstatesgaminglaw.com. He also serves as an adjunct professor to the University of New Hampshire School of Law’s online program for a Certificate in Sports Wagering and Integrity. Tommy is co-chair of the firm’s Gaming Industry Team. In this capacity, and in his own practice, he advises major private equity and investment banking firms and large commercial lenders involved in secured and unsecured lending. He also counsels clients with regard to debt offerings and bond offerings in connection with the development of various projects. An acknowledged thought leader, Tommy serves frequently on panels and speaks on a range of business, legal, ethics, and regulatory issues at national and international conferences.
Contact & Links
- E-mail: tshepherd@watkinsludlam.com
- Direct Phone Number: 601-949-4900
- Phone Number: 601-949-4900
- Lawyer Page: https://www.joneswalker.com/professionals/thomas-b-shepherd-iii.html
Location
- 3100 North State Street, Suite 300
Jackson, MS 39216
Education
- Washington and Lee University, JD, graduated 1984
- University of Mississippi, BBA, graduated 1980
Bar Admissions
- Mississippi, Mississippi
- Tennessee, TN
- Virginia, VA
Affiliations
- American Bar Association, Business Law Section, Gaming Law Committee - Member
- Federal Bar Association, Indian Law Section - Member
- International Association of Gaming Advisors - Board of Trustees (2001-2017); President (2013-2014); Counselor
- Leadership Greater Jackson - Board of Trustees (2010-2012)
- Mississippi Bar Foundation - Fellow
- Mississippi Secretary of State Business Law Advisory Group - Chairman, (2000-2007)
- Mississippi Secretary of State's Business Reform Committees, Co-Chairman, Corporations Law Committee (2008, 2011) - Member
- National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws Mississippi Commissioner (1992-1996) - Member
- The Mississippi Bar - Chairman, Section of Gaming Law, (1996-1997); Chairman, Section of Business Law (1994-1995)
- Rotary Club of Jackson, Mississippi - President (2010–2011)
- International Association of Gaming Advisors - Board of Trustees (2001–2017); President (2013–2014); Counselor
Headquarters:
New Orleans, Louisiana
150 The Best Lawyers in America® awards
39 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America awards
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
- Gaming Law, Jackson, MS (2024)
- Corporate Law, Jackson, MS (2021)
- Gaming Law, Jackson, MS (2019)
- Gaming Law, Jackson, MS (2017)
- Gaming Law, Jackson, MS (2011)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025 for work in:
- Corporate Law
- Gaming Law
Special Focus:
- General Corporate
Awards:
- 2011 Mississippi Attorney of the Year, Mississippi Business Journal
- "Jackson, MS Best Lawyers Gaming Law Lawyer of the Year" 2011, 2017
- Leadership Jackson (2000–2001)
- Leadership Mississippi
Publications
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