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Kathryn H.
Hester

Position
Special Counsel
Office
Jackson

Kathryn Hester is special counsel in the Litigation Practice Group. She focuses her practice on commercial disputes in state and federal courts and before Mississippi state agencies.


Kathryn advises and represents clients in litigation, healthcare administrative proceedings, estate challenges, zoning, and gaming law. She has served as adjunct professor at Mississippi College School of Law, where she taught a course in pre-trial practice. She is also a regular lecturer and writer on gaming and property issues for continuing legal education programs. A seasoned litigator, Katie steers clients through unsettled areas of law, including the newly emerging issues such “name, image, and likeness”.

Kathryn has represented clients before the Mississippi Departments of Health and the Department of Environmental Quality; the Gaming Commission; Oil and Gas Board; and State Tax Commission; and recently represented the Mississippi Department of Banking and Consumer Finance as a special assistant attorney general in a license revocation. 

Throughout her career, Kathryn has been very active in numerous law-related organizations. Additionally, she is a former member of the Jackson City Planning and Zoning Board and served as Hinds County chancellor, a role she was appointed to by the governor.

Noteworthy

  • Best Lawyers®, "Lawyer of the Year," Litigation – Land Use and Zoning, Jackson, Mississippi (2017)
  • Mississippi Business Journal, Woman of the Year (2008); Mississippi's 50 Leading Business Women (2007)
  • The Best Lawyers in America®, Land Use and Zoning Law, and Litigation – Land Use and Zoning (listed annually since 2006)
  • Honorary French Consul for Mississippi (1989–1997)
  • AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rating in Martindale-Hubbell
  • University of Mississippi Hall of Fame

Publications

  • "What to Know About NCAA Deal's Arbitration Provisions," Law360, July 31, 2025
  • "Federal Appellate Court Rules Florida-Seminole Compact Legal Under Federal Law," Jones Walker LLP Gulf States Gaming Law Client Alert, July 11, 2023
  • "Mississippi Issues Minimum Standards of Operation for the Practice of Telemedicine," Jones Walker LLP Healthcare Client Alert, October 6, 2021
  • "Federal Appeals Court Finds HHS Misconstrued Its HIPAA Penalty Power," Jones Walker LLP Healthcare Client Alert, March 10, 2021
  • "What Do We Know After the Mississippi Supreme Court’s Ruling in RW Development?" Jones Walker LLP Gulf States Gaming Law Client Alert, January 13, 2021
  • "Section 523(a)(19) Conflicts with Two Circuit Interpretations," American Bankruptcy Institute Journal, July 2017
  • "Summary of the Law of Gaming," Encyclopedia of Mississippi Law (2nd ed. Thompson Reuters), 2018

Presentations

  • Various presentations on gaming regulations, licensing, and patron disputes, 2007-2015
  • "Practical Guide to Zoning and Land Use Law" , 2007-2012
  • "Mississippi Land Law for Civil Engineers and Land Surveyors," , 2007
  • "Zoning, Subdivision and Land Development Law in Mississippi" , 2005

Memberships

  • American Bar Association, Section of Litigation and Health Law
  • Bar Association of the Fifth Federal Circuit 
  • Capitol Area Bar Association
  • Charles Clark American Inn of Court, President (2003–2006) and Bencher; Barrister (1989–1995)
  • Federal Bar Association
  • Federal Bar Association, Mississippi Chapter, Member; President (1996); Secretary/Treasurer, Vice President (1992–1995) 
  • Greater Belhaven Neighborhood Foundation, Founding Chair
  • Jackson City Planning and Zoning Board, Past Member
  • Leadership Mississippi, Board of Directors
  • Mississippi Association of Gaming Attorneys
  • Mississippi Oil and Gas Lawyers Association, Member; Secretary/Treasurer and Board Member (1986–1989)
  • Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum, Founder, Board of Directors and Past President
  • The Mississippi Bar, Fellow; Member, Sections of Natural Resources, Health Care, and Gaming Law; Marine Resources and Bylaws Committees (1991–1993); First Secretary/Treasurer and Past Chairman
  • The Mississippi Bar Foundation, Member; Board of Trustees (1994–1997)
  • Ole Miss Women's Council for Philanthropy, Founding Member and Past Chair
Jackson
Suite 300
3100 North State Street
Jackson, MS 39216
D: 601.949.4747
F: 601.949.4804
Emailkhester@joneswalker.com

Education

  • The University of Mississippi School of Law
    JD, magna cum laude, 1982
    Student Works Editor, 1981-1982; Articles Editor, 1980-1981, Mississippi Law Journal; Phi Delta Phi; Omicron Delta Kappa
  • University of Mississippi
    BA, cum laude, 1965
    Phi Kappa Phi

Bar Admissions

  • Mississippi

Court Admissions

  • US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
  • US District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi
  • US District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi

Related Practices

  • Gaming
  • Healthcare
  • Litigation

Related Industries

  • Gaming Industry
  • Healthcare Industry
  • Sports & Entertainment
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