Butler Snow proudly congratulates Amanda Jones Tollison on her appointment to the Mississippi Supreme Court by Governor Tate Reeves.
Tollison’s appointment reflects a distinguished legal career marked by exemplary service to clients, the legal profession and the State of Mississippi. A respected attorney and leader in the Mississippi legal community, she brings more than two decades of legal experience, sound judgment and a steadfast commitment to the rule of law to the state’s highest court.
“Amanda’s appointment is a testament not only to her legal abilities, but also to her character, judgment and dedication to serving others,” said Christopher R. Maddux, Chairman of Butler Snow. “Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a deep commitment to justice, professionalism and public service. We are incredibly proud of her and confident she will serve the people of Mississippi with distinction.”
Tollison, who practiced from Butler Snow’s Oxford office, has focused her practice on administrative law, regulatory compliance, zoning and land use, governmental litigation, legal and governmental ethics, and election and campaign finance law. Over the course of her career, she has represented businesses, institutions, governing authorities, public officials and private clients in complex litigation, regulatory and public policy matters before federal, state and local courts, governing bodies and administrative agencies.
Her work includes representation of local governing authorities in appeals of zoning and adjudicative decisions before circuit and state appellate courts, representation of county boards of supervisors in tax assessment appeals, representation of public officials in election contest cases, and counsel to public bodies and officials in Open Meetings and Public Records Act matters before the Mississippi Ethics Commission.
She has also advised industry and professional clients in agency enforcement actions and compliance matters, formed and advised political committees on state and federal election and campaign finance compliance, served as compliance counsel for tax-exempt and nonprofit organizations, advised public institutions of higher learning on legal issues and projects, and counseled local governing authorities and private clients on compliance with state alcoholic beverage control laws.
Before joining Butler Snow, Tollison served as Counsel to Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour. In that role, she coordinated and oversaw outside counsel in litigation matters and advised the Governor on judicial appointments, disaster response and recovery, bond commission meetings, and election and budget-related matters. Prior to her public service, she maintained a general litigation practice.
In addition to her legal practice, Tollison has devoted substantial time to advancing the legal profession and mentoring the next generation of Mississippi lawyers. She served as President of The Mississippi Bar from 2019 to 2020 and previously served as President of the Young Lawyers Division of The Mississippi Bar from 2005 to 2006, where she led the Disaster Legal Assistance Program, providing pro bono legal services to Hurricane Katrina victims. She has also held other local and regional leadership positions and regularly contributes to legal education through speaking, teaching and writing on professionalism, civility, governmental ethics, and recent decisions from the appellate courts and emerging issues in the practice of law.
Tollison is AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell, listed in The Best Lawyers in America for Administrative/Regulatory Law and Product Liability Litigation – Defendants, and has been recognized by Mid-South Super Lawyers. She earned her Juris Doctor, cum laude, from the University of Mississippi School of Law, where she served on the Moot Court Board and on the executive board of the Mississippi Law Journal and chaired the Honor Council. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, summa cum laude, from Mississippi State University.
While Butler Snow celebrates this remarkable achievement, the firm also recognizes the impact Tollison has had on its attorneys, staff and clients throughout her career.
“On behalf of everyone at Butler Snow, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to Amanda and wish her every success as she begins this important new chapter of public service,” Maddux added.
