Thomas G. Sampson Sr. - Atlanta, GA
Attorney at Thomas Kennedy Sampson & Tompkins LLP
Personal & Catastrophic Injury Lawyers in Atlanta, GA
3355 Main Street Atlanta, GA 30337
- Free Consultation
Atlanta Personal & Catastrophic Injury Lawyer
Updated: 06/18/2026
Areas of Practice
- Personal & Catastrophic Injury
- Premises Liability
- Wrongful Death
- Medical Malpractice
Attorney Information
Overview
1946 – July 3, 2025
Thomas (“Tom”) G. Sampson Sr., Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Thomas Kennedy Sampson & Tompkins LLP, was a towering figure in the Atlanta legal community and a source of enduring pride for the city’s Black community. For more than five decades, he embodied excellence, integrity, and advocacy—breaking barriers, mentoring generations, and shaping the course of justice in Georgia and beyond.
Born into a family deeply rooted in the law—his father, the late Daniel George Sampson, was a law professor and Dean at North Carolina Central University—Tom’s journey reflected the determination and achievement that defined the African American professional rise of the civil rights era. A proud graduate of Morehouse College (B.A., 1968) and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Law (J.D., 1971), he also studied at the London School of Economics and was a member of the Society of International Business Fellows. Returning to Atlanta in 1971, Tom co-founded what would become one of the South’s most respected Black-owned law firms, building a practice known for championing the rights of clients from all walks of life.
Over the course of his distinguished career, Tom earned a national reputation in personal injury, wrongful death, medical malpractice, and catastrophic injury litigation. He represented the City of Atlanta and the State of Georgia in major litigation, secured record-setting verdicts—including multiple recoveries exceeding $10 million—and successfully defended Fortune 500 corporations. His professional milestones include:
Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers (2022)
First African American inducted into the Georgia Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates
Listed in The Best Lawyers in America annually since 1993
Charter Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America
Recognized as a Georgia “Super Lawyer” every year of its existence
Recipient of the Bennie Trailblazer Award from Morehouse College (2006)
Inducted into the Gate City Bar Association Hall of Fame (2002) and the National Bar Association Hall of Fame (2014)
Lifetime Achievement Award, Daily Report (2016)
Beyond his legal victories, Tom was a civic leader whose influence touched government, nonprofits, and community institutions. He served as Special Assistant to the Attorney General for the State of Georgia, President of the Gate City Bar Association, President of the Atlanta Legal Aid Society, and member of the Atlanta Judicial Commission. He lent his expertise to organizations including the Carter Center, the Atlanta Urban League, and Senior Citizens Services of Metropolitan Atlanta. As an Adjunct Professor of Law at Georgia State University and instructor at the Atlanta College of Trial Advocacy, he mentored countless attorneys—many of whom went on to become prominent leaders in their own right.
Tom’s life and career stand as a testament to the resilience, brilliance, and leadership of not only Atlanta’s Black legal community but the overall legal community as a whole. His achievements are woven into the city’s history, his mentorship has shaped its future, and his legacy will continue to inspire generations to break barriers and pursue justice with courage.
Awards and Honors
Honors
- Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers (ACTL)
- Listed in “Best Lawyers in America” for over 30 years since 1993
- Lawyers of Distinction, Top 10% in the USA, 2017
- Listed in the “Top 100 Lawyers” in Georgia by the American Trial Lawyers Association, 2007 - 2010
- Listed AV Preeminent, Martindale Hubbell
- Listed in Georgia Super Lawyers, 2005 - 2022
- Living Legend, Psi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Morehouse College, 2023
- Gate City Bar Association Hall of Fame, 2002
- Hillside High School, Hall of Fame, 2009
- Trailblazer Award, Atlanta Hawks, 2010
- Hall of Fame Award, Atlanta Tribune, 2012
- National Bar Association, Hall of Fame, 2014
- State Bar of Georgia, Randolph Thrower Award, 2015
- Daily Report, Lifetime Achievement Award, 2016
- Tradition of Excellence Award, State Bar of Georgia, 2017
- Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys Zenith Award of Excellence, 2017
- America’s Most Honored Lawyers, The American Registry, 2020
- Legal Legend Award, National Bar Association, 2020
- Gertrude Rush Distinguished Service Award, NBA, 2021
- Recognized for Excellence in Civil Litigation, Lawyers of Distinction, 2018
- Georgia Best Lawyers, Georgia Best Lawyers Association, 2013
- Top Trial Lawyers, American Trial Lawyers Association, 2007, 2007, 2011
- Nation’s Top One Percent, National Association of Distinguished Counsel, 2015, 2016
- Georgia’s Best Lawyers, The Atlanta Journal Constitution, New York Times and Wall Street Journal, 2012, 2014
- Former Master, Logan E. Bleckley Inn of Court
- Former Master, Joseph Henry Lumpkin Inn of Court
- Charter Senior Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America
- Fellow, Lawyers Foundation of Georgia
- Men Who Soar Award, Men Looking Ahead
- Law & Justice Award, Women Looking Ahead
- Man of the Year, Women Looking Ahead
- Barrister, Order of Centurions
- First African American inducted into the Georgia Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates
Education
Legal Education
-
University of North Carolina School of Law,
Chapel Hill,
North Carolina, 1971
J.D.
Non Legal Education
-
Morehouse College, 1968
B.A. -
London School of Economics
Honors: Bennie Trailblazer Award Recipient, 2006
Honors: Member, Society of International Business Fellows
Current Employment Position(s)
-
Founder
Past Positions
- Atlanta Municipal Court and the City Court of Atlanta, Special Panel
Classes and Seminars
-
Adjunct Professor of Law, Georgia State University
- Instructor, Atlanta College of Trial Advocacy
Bar Admissions
- Georgia, 1971
- North Carolina, 1971
Other Affiliations
- Atlanta Judicial Commission
- Board of Councilors for the Carter Center
- Boards of Directors of the Atlanta Urban League
- Board of Directors, Senior Citizens Services of Metropolitan Atlanta
- Charter Member & Former Vice Chairman, Neighborhood Justice Center
- President, Gate City Bar Association
- Member, Board of Governors, State Bar of Georgia
- Special Assistant, Attorney General for the State of Georgia
- President, Atlanta Legal Aid Society
- Chairman, State Bar of Georgia Client Security Fund
- Vice President, State Bar of Georgia Disciplinary Board
- Vice President, Atlanta Council of Younger Lawyers
- Regional Director, National Bar Association
- Member, Trial Law Institute
- Member, Diversity Law Institute
- Adjunct Professor of Law, Georgia State University
- Instructor, Atlanta College of Trial Advocacy
Photo
Contact
3355 Main Street
Atlanta, GA 30337
Phone Number: 404-963-9442
Email: Send a message
Website: https://tkstlaw.com/
Hours: Mon - Fri 8:30 - 17:00
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