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Christopher S.
Pace

Position
Partner
Office
Jackson

Chris Pace is a partner in the Corporate Practice Group. He advises on project finance and economic development law, state and local government law, economic development incentives, and gaming law.


Chris’ clients include county and municipal governmental bodies as well as new and expanding business concerns, examples of which include a large steel company investing more than $1 billion in a new facility, and a regional beverage supplier investing millions of dollars to expand its existing operations.

Chris has negotiated and documented a range of economic incentives, including property, sales, use, income, and franchise tax incentives, and other incentives related to tax exempt and taxable bond financing. He has assisted clients in negotiating and implementing incentives with the Mississippi Development Authority, the Mississippi Department of Revenue, and other state and local governmental entities. Chris also has negotiated and implemented economic incentives with numerous county and city governments, including the implementation of complex fee-in-lieu of property tax agreements, which are available only for projects involving investments of $100 million or more.

In connection with the firm's gaming practice, Chris represents domestic and international clients such as casino owners and operators, gaming equipment manufacturers and distributors, and investors, investment banks, and other financial institutions. For these clients, he has provided counsel in a broad range of gaming matters, including new casino developments, licensing, financing, registration, findings of suitability, transfers of ownership, operations, training, compliance, investigations, disciplinary proceedings, and other regulatory and transactional matters. 

Noteworthy

  • Chambers USA, Corporate/Commercial: Municipal Finance (listed annually since 2018); Public Finance (listed annually since 2024)
  • Best Lawyers®, "Lawyer of the Year," Project Finance Law (2026)
  • Best Lawyers®, "Lawyer of the Year," Economic Development Law, Jackson, Mississippi (2021, 2023 and 2025)
  • The Best Lawyers in America®, Economic Development Law, Gaming Law, and Project Finance Law (listed annually since 2020)
  • Mid-South Super Lawyers, "Rising Star," (2017), Government Finance (2016), Business/Corporate Law (2011, 2014–2015), and Gaming (2010) 
  • Mississippi Business Journal, "Leadership in Law" (2016) 
  • Leadership Greater Jackson, class member (2011–2012)

Publications

  • "Mississippi Casinos Authorized to Reopen on May 21," Jones Walker LLP Gulf States Gaming Law Client Alert, May 15, 2020
  • "Sports Betting In The South: A Status Update on Gulf States," Law360, April 17, 2019
  • "Opportunity Zones Designated in 15 States and 3 Territories," Jones Walker LLP Tax Reform Client Alert Series, April 2018
  • "Apply Now for Inclusion in New Opportunity Zone Program," Jones Walker LLP Tax Reform Client Alert Series, February 2018
  • "Regulation of Activist Investors in the Gaming Industry," Casino Enterprise Management, December 1, 2014

Memberships

  • International Association of Gaming Advisors
  • National Association of Bond Lawyers
  • The Mississippi Bar
  • Mississippi Economic Development Council
Jackson
Suite 300
3100 North State Street
Jackson, MS 39216
D: 601.949.4839
F: 601.949.4645
Emailcpace@joneswalker.com

Education

  • Mississippi College School of Law
    JD, summa cum laude
    Executive Editor, Mississippi College Law Review  
  • Mississippi College
    MBA, summa cum laude
  • University of Southern Mississippi
    BSBA, summa cum laude

Bar Admissions

  • Mississippi

Related Practices

  • Commercial Transactions
  • Economic Development
  • Gaming
  • Private Equity
  • Public Finance
  • State & Local Tax
  • Tax
  • Tax Credit Programs

Related Industries

  • Gaming Industry
  • Industrial, Petrochemical & Advanced Manufacturing
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