Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC, has launched a Gaming Industry Service Team. This multidisciplinary group of attorneys and advisors from across various Baker Donelson offices and practice areas represents domestic and international gaming clients before state gaming commissions and other state governmental bodies.
The Firm's Gaming Industry Service Team is led by Dan M. McDaniel Jr. Previously leader of the gaming practice at Phelps Dunbar, Mr. McDaniel has joined Baker Donelson as a shareholder in the Firm's Jackson office. He concentrates his practice exclusively in gaming law and has more than 15 years' experience representing both domestic and international gaming clients and also has experience representing clients in proposed gaming legislation. Mr. McDaniel is a founding member of the Mississippi Association of Gaming Attorneys and is former president of the International Association of Gaming Advisors.
"Gaming clients face issues that call for experienced legal representation in every step of the process, including the pre-licensing, licensing and post-licensing phases," said Mr. McDaniel. "Baker Donelson has put together a multidisciplinary team of attorneys and advisors with significant experience in every area and at every stage of these processes. I'm proud to lead a group of professionals with extensive experience in gaming law and well-earned reputations as leaders in the gaming industry."
Key members of Baker Donelson's gaming group include three attorneys who have recently joined the Firm in addition to Mr. McDaniel.
- Heather J. Camp, of counsel in the Jackson office, represents domestic and international industry members including casino developers, casino operators, gaming equipment manufacturers and gaming device distributors as well as their equity holders, officers, directors, key employees, gaming employees, lenders and landlords before the Mississippi Gaming Commission and other Mississippi governmental bodies. She is a member of the International Association of Gaming Advisors and the Gaming Law Section of the Mississippi Bar Association.
- Amy Kebert Elder, an associate in the Jackson office, handles the representation of both domestic and international gaming clients. Her practice includes development, licensing, financing, registration, findings of suitability, transfers of ownership, operation, training, compliance, work permits, patron disputes, investigations, disciplinary proceedings and other regulatory and transactional matters. Ms. Elder has extensive experience in public finance, acting as counsel in various capacities for tax-exempt bond issues.
Baker Donelson attorneys Joel R. Buckberg and William G. Somerville round out the team's leadership. Mr. Buckberg, of counsel in Baker Donelson's Nashville office, serves as the Tennessee vice chair of the gaming group. A recognized leader in the hospitality industry, Mr. Buckberg counsels clients on corporate and asset transactions and operations in hospitality, franchising and distribution, including strategic planning and transactions, financing, mergers and acquisitions, system policy and practice development, regulatory compliance and contract system drafting. Mr. Somerville, shareholder in the Firm's Birmingham office, serves as the group's Alabama vice chair. Mr. Somerville also represents gaming manufacturers both as advisor and as litigation counsel in state and federal courts. He represents major operators of electronic gaming facilities in state and federal court, as well as in negotiations with state and local regulatory officials.
For more information about Baker Donelson's Gaming Industry Service Team, go to http://www.bakerdonelson.com/gaming-industries/