Jones Walker LLP

161 Best Lawyers awards

Jones Walker LLP logo

Awarded Practice Areas

Corporate Law Gaming Law

Biography

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.

Jones Walker LLP

161 Best Lawyers awards

Jones Walker LLP logo

Overview

  • Washington and Lee University, JD, graduated 1984
  • University of Mississippi, BBA, graduated 1980

  • Mississippi, Mississippi
  • Tennessee, TN
  • Virginia, VA

  • 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
  • Mississippi, Mississippi
  • Tennessee, TN
  • Virginia, VA
  • 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
  • Washington and Lee University, JD, graduated 1984
  • University of Mississippi, BBA, graduated 1980

Client Testimonials

Mr. Shepherd's knowledge of Mississippi gaming law and his access to regulators are second to none.

Tommy is extremely well versed in gaming law and handles all matters in a very professional manner. He operates at the highest levels of both personal and professional integrity and is highly respected in the community. I would never hesitate to recommend him to others looking for someone with expertise in this area and who works extremely close with all parties.

G. Dan Marshall (Legends Gaming LLC)

Frankfort, IL

I have known Tommy for many years and when I became General Counsel of Pinnacle Entertainment in 2002, I was pleased to see that he was the company's outside gaming counsel in Mississippi. Tommy is one of the very finest and most experienced gaming lawyers in the country - he is in the uppermost tier of counselors. He always ensured that Pinnacle's gaming matters were handled promptly, professionally, and successfully. He kept us advised on a regular basis and was proactive in identifying issues that needed attention. He enjoys the highest degree of credibility with the Mississippi regulators and his advice on legal matters is always "spot on." In addition to his excellent legal skills, he exercises good judgment. Because of Tommy, we also use his firm on other legal matters in Mississippi, including lobbying and litigation. Unfortunately, we sold our Biloxi property after Hurricane Katrina and surrendered our Mississippi gaming license in November 2006. However, we still use Tommy and his firm when we have a Mississippi legal matter. Should we ever decide to apply for a new gaming license in Mississippi, Tommy will be our lawyer.

John Godfrey (Pinnacle Entertainment, Inc.)

Las Vegas, NH

Thomas Shepherd has represented two companies that I have worked for over the last five-plus years. He has always combined an incredible business sense and client's needs to his area of expertise. He manages to put each client's needs at the top of his priority list without missing a beat for any of his clients. He is regarded as the best gaming regulatory lawyer in Mississippi and a top advisor in the gaming industry worldwide. He is a pleasure to work with and one of our company's most trusted advisors. It is easy to describe him as one of the best lawyers around.

Robert Ziems (Aruze Gaming America, Inc.)

Las Vegas, NV

Mr. Shepherd has provided services for some time to the Majestic Star Casino in a variety of capacities. Mr. Shepherd has consistently and without question been most helpful, knowledgeable, and timely in all respects. It has been my pleasure to work with Mr. Shepherd and I anticipate a long continuing and satisfactory working relationship in the future.

Lawrence Wheeler (The Majestic Star Casino, LLC)

Las Vegas, NV

Mr. Shepherd is an experienced and highly professional attorney, particularly in the gaming law field. He is always responsive and knowledgeable regarding gaming law issues, and his exceptional people skills in dealing with clients and gaming regulators make him a valuable asset to the client.

Walt Stowe (VendingData Corporation)

Las Vegas, NV

Awards & Focus

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2024 - Gaming Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2021 - Corporate Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2019 - Gaming Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2017 - Gaming Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2011 - Gaming Law
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® 2026 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

Case History

Transactions
  • General counsel for greenfield gaming project
Represented casino in Natchez, Mississippi with respect to all development, licensing, regulatory and finance issues..
  • Acquisition of Harrah''s Entertainment, Inc.
Represented TPG and Apollo as local Mississippi counsel in their acquisition of Harrah''s.

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