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 accordance with a press launch from the Metropolis of Atlanta, which was launched on the day he died.
Per the press launch, Sampson was regarded as “a authorized large, 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 seems to be like to steer with function, serve with integrity, and make historical past whereas empowering others to do the identical.”
Sampson, a 1968 Morehouse School graduate who earned his legislation diploma from the College of North Carolina in 1971, was extremely regarded within the authorized group. He was featured in each version of The Greatest Attorneys in America since 1993 and made historical past as the primary Black lawyer inducted into the Georgia Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates.
In response to a biography of Sampson on his legislation agency’s web site, Atlanta Journal’s Greatest Attorneys in America listing had constantly 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 School 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 apply and a fame within the fields of non-public damage, wrongful loss of life, and medical malpractice litigation.
As The Atlanta Journal-Structure reported, Atlanta’s mayor, Andre Dickens referred to 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 career, a fierce advocate for justice and a tireless mentor to generations of Black attorneys,” Dickens stated.
He continued, “His management prolonged past the courtroom—uplifting our communities, advancing civil rights, and opening doorways that had lengthy been closed to folks of shade.”
Dickens concluded his assertion, expressing his sympathy for the Sampson household.
“On behalf of town of Atlanta, I lengthen my deepest condolences to your entire Sampson household, particularly his faculty sweetheart and beloved spouse of 57 years Jacquelyn, his devoted kids Woody and Alia, six grandchildren, niece State Consultant Inga Willis, your entire TKST household and all these whose lives he touched. Could we honor his reminiscence by persevering with the struggle for justice, fairness, and alternative for all. Thomas Sampson moved Atlanta ahead—and we’re ceaselessly grateful,” Mayor Dickens stated.
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