by Daniel Johnson
July 6, 2025
Sampson Jr. co-founded Georgia’s oldest Black-owned legislation agency Thomas Kennedy Sampson & Tompkins.
Thomas G. Sampson Jr., the co-founder of Georgia’s oldest Black-owned legislation agency Thomas Kennedy Sampson & Tompkins, died on July 3, in keeping with a press launch from the Metropolis of Atlanta, which was launched on the day he died.
Per the press launch, Sampson was thought to be “a authorized big, civic trailblazer, and proud son of our metropolis. Mr. Sampson didn’t simply construct a legislation agency – he constructed a legacy. He confirmed us what it appears to be like like to steer with goal, serve with integrity, and make historical past whereas empowering others to do the identical.”
Sampson, a 1968 Morehouse Faculty graduate who earned his legislation diploma from the College of North Carolina in 1971, was extremely regarded within the authorized neighborhood. He was featured in each version of The Greatest Attorneys in America since 1993 and made historical past as the primary Black legal professional inducted into the Georgia Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates.
Based on a biography of Sampson on his legislation agency’s web site, Atlanta Journal’s Greatest Attorneys in America listing had persistently named him to its listing of the “Greatest Attorneys in Atlanta” and he was named a Georgia “Tremendous Lawyer” in every year of that listing’s existence, which solely 5% of the state’s legal professionals are even named to. In 2006, Morehouse Faculty gave Sampson the Bennie Trailblazer Award, the best recognition an alumni of the college can obtain.
Following within the footsteps of his father, the late Daniel George Sampson, he practiced legislation for over 50 years and constructed a nationwide trial follow and a popularity within the fields of non-public harm, wrongful demise, and medical malpractice litigation.
As The Atlanta Journal-Structure reported, Atlanta’s mayor, Andre Dickens known as Sampson a “tireless mentor” for generations of Black legal professionals in Atlanta in his personal assertion.
“For over 5 many years, Mr. Sampson stood as a pillar of excellence within the authorized occupation, a fierce advocate for justice and a tireless mentor to generations of Black attorneys,” Dickens mentioned.
He continued, “His management prolonged past the courtroom—uplifting our communities, advancing civil rights, and opening doorways that had lengthy been closed to individuals of shade.”
Dickens concluded his assertion, expressing his sympathy for the Sampson household.
“On behalf of the town of Atlanta, I prolong my deepest condolences to the complete Sampson household, particularly his faculty sweetheart and beloved spouse of 57 years Jacquelyn, his devoted youngsters Woody and Alia, six grandchildren, niece State Consultant Inga Willis, the complete TKST household and all these whose lives he touched. Might we honor his reminiscence by persevering with the battle for justice, fairness, and alternative for all. Thomas Sampson moved Atlanta ahead—and we’re without end grateful,” Mayor Dickens mentioned.
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