Thomas Kennedy Sampson & Tompkins, the oldest black-owned law firm in Georgia, celebrated its 50th anniversary on Saturday and offered the firm’s executives an opportunity to reflect on their considerable legacy and diversity across the country and the legal industry.
The company’s three partners – Jeffrey Tompkins. Thomas Sampson Sr. and his son Thomas “Woody” Sampson II led the processions in College Park.
“We are grateful and grateful to all those whowe made this journey possible and helped us reach our 50th anniversary, ”said Sampson Sr., the company’s managing partner. “It is said that it takes a whole village to raise a child and it has certainly taken many people to enable us to reach this point in the life of this company.”
The firm’s founding partner, John Kennedy, opened a business in July 1971 after serving as an associate with Alston & Bird and becoming the first black attorney to be hired by a major law firm in the greater Atlanta area. Less than two months after founding the firm, Sampson Sr. joined as a partner after graduating from the University of North Carolina School of Law.
In hopes of attracting corporate clients, the company relocated to the Fulton National Bank Tower (later the Bank South Building) at 55 Marietta St. NW 55 in downtown Atlanta in the early 1970s, and it wasn’t long before the company established itself paid off.
“We wanted to build our company on a very solid foundation,” said Sampson Sr. “We thought this would be a good location for us.”
The firm, which now employs 20 lawyers, got its first opportunity to represent a major client in 1971 when it was hired as external general counsel for crime matters for MARTA, which was founded that year.
She later represented notable clients including the Coca-Cola Co., for which she was named one of the six principal attorneys in 2001, as well as the Fulton-DeKalb Hospital Authority and the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games when the city hosted the Centennial Olympics 1996.
“MARTA and these other corporate clients have served as a stepping stone over the years in building our practice,” said Sampson Sr. “We have been very fortunate to be able to represent those corporate clients who have shown an interest in diversity over the years and to give people like us the opportunity to provide legal services for them. ”
Managing Partner Thomas Sampson Sr. and College Park Mayor Bianca Motley Broom. (Courtesy photo)
Tompkins, who joined the firm as a Summer Associate while at Emory University School of Law in 1986 and stayed there after graduation, recalls hearing a case in the Georgia Court of Appeals shortly after joining the firm. He was called in to argue orally on behalf of General Motors, then the largest automaker in the world, without anyone from the company being present.
“Everyone wanted to hear how it went, but they didn’t feel the need to hold my hand,” said Tompkins. “That told me that this is a place for me – a place where, with the support of very good lawyers, I can grow, learn and develop myself.”
With the rise of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives among law firms since the assassination of George Floyd in 2020, Tompkins hopes that more individuals and organizations will promote diversity in all aspects of life.
“People understand that to get the best result, you have to take all views into account,” said Tompkins. “Sometimes people do not understand and appreciate the importance of different views, different stories and different experiences and how they can positively or negatively influence an important decision.”
Sampson Sr., meanwhile, hopes for greater minority participation in the legal industry so that more firms like his have the opportunity to represent large corporations.
“I would hope that this will move forward in the years to come and give more minority companies of all types and types this opportunity to represent American companies and have a piece of the pie,” he said.
Through his work, Thomas Kennedy has played an important role in the Atlanta and Georgia communities and has earned the respect of some of the largest law firms in the world, including Am Law 100 law firm Greenberg Traurig.
“Each of these gentlemen is known as a powerful force in the civil, philanthropic and business worlds,” said Ernest Greer, Atlanta-based co-president of Greenberg Sad.
Greer has worked to introduce Thomas Kennedy to corporate clients while at the same time building a unique relationship with the firm.
“I took this opportunity whenever I did. The customers were extremely satisfied, ”said Greer. “You really have created a company that can rival any other big law firm.”
Partners, associates, and associates of Thomas Kennedy Sampson & Tompkins. (Courtesy photo)
Marking his 50th anniversary, Thomas Kennedy continues to place great emphasis on community benefit projects and this year is dedicated to “prepayment,” said Sampson Sr.
“Each of their leaders has a role to play in this community,” Greer said. “If you really look at the legacy and genesis of Thomas Kennedy, you see that not only have they given attorneys the opportunity to learn their craft, but they have created an environment in which some of their senior attorneys are in mentoring – and development of lawyers. “
Sampson Sr. said the company is focused on supporting causes that are important to their community, recognizing the critical role the community has played in getting the company to this point.
“We are indeed grateful and realize how special this moment is. It’s especially sobering when you think of all the people who made this possible, ”he said. “We just want to show our appreciation in every way for the help we have received over the years.”