As a business-minded lawyer, T.J. is not only adept at handling clients’ agricultural and business legal matters, he is also able to help clients craft strategies regarding real estate transactions, contract negotiations, state sales tax compliance, and estate planning, which contributes to broader business goals.

T.J. dedicates his legal practice to the area of business law, helping clients navigate myriad federal and state laws, rules and regulations affecting farming and business industries. Whether seeking his advice about real estate issues or guidance on state taxation, clients benefit from T.J.’s formal and practical business training and experience.

His recent and representative work includes:

• Assists and advises banks regarding real estate collateral and title issues under Arkansas state law.
• Successfully resolved an Arkansas sales tax appeal involving $32M assessment to $100K refund.
• Reduced a small business tax assessment by 50% involving $200K of sales tax and income tax liability.
• Obtained millions of dollars of payroll incentives for expansion of an industrial facility in Arkansas through application and compliance administration.
• Advised a fabrication company on restructuring to position the business for sale to national buying group for $15M.
• Advised a progressive company on multiple real estate acquisitions and leases for solar development projects. 

Before earning his law degree, T.J. managed Lawhon Farm Services Inc., an agricultural seed company started by his grandfather in 1959. While T.J. served on the company’s management team, the company grew to become one of the largest regional seed companies in the Mid-South.

T.J. has been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America^© in the Real Estate category (2024) and is also listed in Mid-South Super Lawyers in the areas of business/corporate law (since 2019).

T.J. serves on the executive board of directors for the Arkansas Game and Fish Foundation and he is a graduate of Leadership Greater Little Rock, Class XXX. He is a member of the American, Arkansas, and Pulaski County Bar Associations; the Arkansas Tax Advisory Council and the Agricultural Council of Arkansas.

T.J. and his wife, Mandy, have two children. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his family on the lake and attending Arkansas Razorback football games.

• “Top 10 Tax Developments and Trends,” State Tax Conference, Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce, March 2022.
• “Taxes: What You Need to Know, Arkansas Updates,” Arkansas Farm Bureau, 87^th Annual Convention, December 2021
• “Arkansas Sales and Use Tax for Manufacturers,” National Business Institute, August 2021
• “Arkansas Tax Reform and Related Legislative Updates,” Arkansas Society of CPA’s, May 2019
• “Arkansas Administrative and Judicial Updates,” Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce, October 2018
• “Arkansas Regulation of Organic and Farm-to-Table Produce,” Arkansas Bar Association Mid-Year Meeting, 2016
• “Farm Business Law,” National Business Institute, 2017, 2018, and 2019. 
• “Arkansas Tax Update,” 55^th Annual Arkansas Federal Tax Institute, 2016
• “Tax Traps and Found Money,” Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce, 2016
• Arkansas chapter of the American Bar Association’s Sales and Use Tax Deskbook, annually since 2015
• “Arkansas State Tax Developments,” Council of State Taxation (COST), annually since 2015