Partner
j.tompkins@tkstlaw.com
404-688-4503
Jeff has successfully tried numerous cases in state and federal courts throughout Georgia. He has represented to verdict some of the world’s and Atlanta’s best known companies. Jeff has handled cases involving a wide range of legal disputes, including wrongful death, breach of contract, medical malpractice, age, race, sex and national origin discrimination, Family Medical Leave Act, premises liability, fraud, and general tort matters. Jeff has received a rating of “AV” (the highest rating attainable) for legal ability and ethics from Martindale-Hubbell, the world’s foremost legal rating publication. He has been recognized as a Georgia “Super Lawyer” each year since 2007, and is a Charter Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America.
In addition to his considerable trial experience, Jeff has considerable experience in transactional matters, including licensing and marketing law. As licensing counsel to the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games (ACOG), Mr. Tompkins handled the licensing deals between AGOC and Nissan, Texaco, General Mills, Holiday Inn, Bryers and several other multinational corporations. Jeff has handled hundreds of endorsement deals and has served as reviewing counsel in thousands of television, radio and print media advertisements.
Representative Cases
As lead trial counsel, obtained a defense verdict favor of Fulton-DeKalb Hospital Authority following a jury trial in Blair King v. Fulton DeKalb Hospital Authority (2009, United States District Court of the Northern District of Georgia). Case involved claims of age discrimination under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act and violation of the Family Medical Leave Act.
Lead trial and appellate counsel for the Fulton-Dekalb Hospital Authority, Emory University and several medical professionals in Rosie Miranda et al. v. Fulton-DeKalb Hospital Authority, Emory University at al., 284 Ga. App. 203 (2007), cert. denied 207 Ga. LEXIS 516 (2007), a wrongful death action wherein the plaintiffs sought in excess of $10 million.
Trial counsel on the issue of damages for plaintiff The Coca-Cola Company in The Coca-Cola Company v. PepsiCo et al., 1:02-CV-2887 (U.S.D.C. N.D. Ga.), a patent infringement action which resulted in a multi-million dollar jury verdict.
Obtained a defense verdict on behalf of Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority in William Hicks and Marlow Roberson v. MARTA (2005, Superior Court of Fulton County), a premises liability case alleging negligent security. Plaintiffs alleged to have suffered traumatic brain injuries after being severely beaten by a group of juveniles at a transit station.
Trial counsel for the State of Georgia in State of Georgia v. John Ashcroft, 539 U.S. 461 (2003), tried before a panel of federal judges in the District of Columbia and successfully appealed to the United States Supreme Court.
Lead counsel in the successful defense of Georgia-Pacific Corporation in Pickle Logging, Inc. v. Georgia-Pacific Corporation, 276 Ga. App. 398 (2005), a multi-million dollar breach of contract action involving timber and logging operations in southwest Georgia.
Education
- Emory University School of Law, Doctor of Law, 1987
- Director-in-Chief, Emory Moot Court Society
- Winning Team and named Runner-up Oralist, Jerome Prince Invitational Moot Court Evidence Competition, New York, New York
- National Order of Barristers
- Recipient, 1987 James C. Pratt Memorial Award
- Recipient, 1987 D. Robert Owen Award
- President, Black Law Students Association
- Who's Who Among Students in American Law Schools
- Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges
- Dean's Student Advisory Group
- Morehouse College, B.A., 1984 (magna cum laude)
- Phi Beta Kappa
- Pi Sigma Alpha National Political Science Honor Society
- Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges
- Political Science Departmental Honors
Professional Recognition
- Charter Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America
- 2008 Gate City Bar Association Judicial Section's Walden-Herndon Award
- Fellow, Lawyers Foundation of Georgia
- Recognized as a "Georgia Super Lawyer" (2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010)
- 2011 A.T. Walden Outstanding Lawyer Award (Gate City Bar Association)
- Barrister, Logan E. Bleckley Inn of the American Inns of Court (1990-1992)
Activities & Affiliations
- Advisory Board of the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation
- Reading Tutor, Perkinson Elementary School Reading Program
- Atlanta Judicial Commission (1997 - present; Chairman, 1999 - 2001)
- Board of Directors of Sadie G. Mays Health and Rehabilitation Center
- Chairman, South Atlanta District of the Boy Scouts of America (2003 - 2005)
- Board of Directors of The Study Hall (1998 - 2002, 2009 - present)
- Editorial Board of the Georgia Bar Journal (1996-97)
- Atlanta Blue Ribbon Commission on Capital Projects (1991)
- Mayor's Commission on the Future of Atlanta (1987)
- Atlanta Bar Association (Judicial Selection/Tenure Committee, 2001 - 2005)
- Gate City Bar Association (Executive Board, 1989 - 1992)
