Thomas (Tom) Fortner
Uncompromising Legal Acumen, Grounded In Decades of Sophisticated Defense Strategy
Trying cases since 1981, Tom Fortner has established a powerful reputation across Mississippi for sophisticated, unrelenting criminal defense and appellate mastery in state and federal court structures.
Areas of Core Legal Focus
Focused representation in Mississippi state and federal courts.
Strategic Trial Defense
Aggressive and analytical defense representations covering complex felony indictments, violent offenses, and highly charged state trials across all South Mississippi courts.
Criminal Defense Services →Federal Court Representation
Extensive defense architecture covering major multi-defendant drug trade conspiracies, white collar fraud, firearm allegations, and complex corporate federal investigations.
Federal Criminal Defense →Appellate & Post-Conviction
A national-profile practice reviewing trial transcripts, compiling master appellate briefs, and leading oral defenses before the Mississippi Supreme Court and Federal Circuits.
Appeals & Post-Conviction Relief →A Career Built Defending the Accused
Tom Fortner has devoted his entire career to criminal defense. He served as Public Defender for Jackson County, Mississippi from 1981 to 1991 and for Hinds County, Mississippi from 1991 to 2005, then with the Maricopa County, Arizona Office of Legal Defender from 2005 to 2009 before joining the firm in 2009. Over more than four decades he has tried hundreds of cases to verdict before juries.
Every case turns on its own facts and law, and prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Tom’s felony practice covers the most serious charges Mississippi law allows, including capital murder and other death-penalty-eligible cases, murder and manslaughter, robbery, burglary, assault, sexual assault, and controlled substance offenses. His post-conviction practice addresses wrongful convictions, ineffective assistance of counsel, wrongful incarceration, and challenges to guilty pleas, and he handles criminal appeals from every circuit court in the state to the Mississippi Supreme Court and Mississippi Court of Appeals. He also handles DUI defense and expungements of eligible felony and misdemeanor convictions.
Shaping Mississippi Criminal Justice
Tom’s influence extends beyond his own docket. He served on the Mississippi Supreme Court Advisory Committee on Rules from 1982 to 2000 and on the Mississippi State Legislature Criminal Justice Task Force from 1998 to 2005. He is a founding and life member of the Mississippi Public Defenders Association, a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and a charter member and former president of the Mississippi Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
Credentials & Professional Background
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Tom Fortner handle federal criminal cases?
Yes. Tom Fortner defends clients in both state and federal court, including multi-defendant drug conspiracy cases, white collar fraud, and firearm allegations. He is admitted to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and the U.S. District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Mississippi.
How long has Tom Fortner practiced criminal defense?
Tom has practiced criminal defense since his admission to the Mississippi Bar in 1981.
Does Tom Fortner handle criminal appeals?
Yes. His appellate and post-conviction practice includes briefing and oral argument before the Mississippi Supreme Court and federal appellate courts.
What professional recognition has Tom Fortner received?
Tom is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, one of the most selective honors for trial lawyers in the United States, and a charter member and former president of the Mississippi Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (MACDL).
Does Tom Fortner handle capital murder cases?
Yes. Tom defends the most serious felony charges under Mississippi law, including capital murder and other death-penalty-eligible cases.
Is Tom Fortner admitted to the U.S. Supreme Court?
Yes. Tom is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, all U.S. District Courts in Mississippi, and all Mississippi state courts.
What is Tom Fortner’s public defender background?
Tom served as Public Defender for Jackson County, Mississippi (1981 to 1991) and Hinds County, Mississippi (1991 to 2005), and with the Maricopa County, Arizona Office of Legal Defender (2005 to 2009) before joining the firm in 2009.
One of eight attorneys practicing together at Lowrey, Fortner, & Miri P.A., a Hattiesburg firm that has stood with Pine Belt families and businesses since 1980.
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