Jones Walker continues to expand in Florida, announcing today the opening of our Tallahassee office with Marc W. Dunbar joining as a partner in the firm’s Gaming practice. Also joining the firm is Daniel Russell, an associate in the Gaming practice.
For more than a decade, Mr. Dunbar has served as counsel to a host of gaming clients. His practice focuses on gaming and governmental law, as his gaming practice is Florida’s largest, encompassing both lobbying and litigation for casinos, gaming suppliers, pari-mutuels, sweepstakes and charities. Mr. Dunbar is regularly asked to appear before legislative and administrative panels to comment on changes to Florida’s various gaming laws, as well as to provide assistance in drafting changes to Florida’s gaming rules and statutes.
“Marc brings extensive industry experience as a practicing lawyer, from both the private and public sectors, that will significantly strengthen our ability to meet our gaming clients’ needs throughout the Southeast region,” remarked William H. Hines, firm Managing Partner. “He is a strong and valuable addition to our team.”
Mr. Russell is the former General Counsel for Florida’s premier thoroughbred track and casino, Gulfstream Park. Mr. Russell’s practice focuses on litigation, gaming and governmental law, and he has worked with Mr. Dunbar to grow the largest gaming practice in Florida.
Mr. Dunbar is a former Assistant General Counsel and Communications Director for the Florida Department of State. During his tenure with the Department, he was recognized for his exceptional legal work by Florida Tax Watch with a Davis Productivity Award, which honors state employees for exemplary service to Florida’s taxpayers. He has been inducted into the International Masters of Gaming Law, an invitation only non-profit association of gaming attorneys, regulators, educators, executives and consultants from around the world, who are dedicated to education and the exchange of professional information concerning all aspects of gaming law.
“We are very pleased that Marc has joined our firm. Marc is widely recognized for his experience and depth of knowledge in government relations and gaming law in Florida. With Marc’s addition, our team of noted gaming professionals in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida and Texas positions Jones Walker as the premier gaming law firm in the Gulf South,” said J. Kelly Duncan, Jones Walker’s Gaming Practice Group Co-Leader.
Later this month, Mr. Dunbar will moderate the closing panel during the Florida Gaming Congress being held February 25-26, 2013, in Hollywood, Florida. A panel of public officials, business leaders and gaming operators will discuss the future of gaming in the state. Jones Walker is a presenting sponsor of this conference.
Mr. Dunbar, who also teaches Gambling and Pari-mutuel Law at Florida State University College of Law, has been an expert witness in gaming cases and is regularly cited as a “gaming expert” by numerous publications, including Florida Trend magazine. In his gaming practice, he advises clients on pari-mutuel wagering, card rooms, slot machine wagering and charitable and sweepstakes gaming. He also has an active practice lobbying the Florida Legislature and the executive agencies of the State of Florida on behalf of a variety of clients.
