Shanda Yates is an Independent member of the Mississippi House of Representatives, representing District 64 . First elected in 2019, she switched from Democrat to Independent in 2022. A small business owner, attorney, and working mother, she is a partner at Burns & Associates, PLLC, with her husband, Yancy Burns, a combat veteran. They have a son, Evan. Notable achievements include securing over $125 million for district infrastructure, healthcare, and community resources; authoring legislation for water bill consumption-based billing ; reducing taxes, increasing teacher pay, prioritizing public safety, and infrastructure investment. She holds key positions as Vice Chair of the House Judiciary A Committee, Chair of the Select Committee to Revitalize Jackson, and serves on committees including Elections and State Affairs. Professional honors include Martindale-Hubbell AV Rating, Mid-South Super Lawyer , and Mississippi Business Journal’s “Leaders in Law” .

Education

• B.A. in English , University of Southern Mississippi .
• J.D. , Mississippi College School of Law ; Law Review Case Note/Comment Editor, Dean’s List Scholar, American Jurisprudence Awards in Pre-Trial Practice and Advanced Torts.

Political Experience

• Elected to Mississippi House District 64 .
• Admitted to Mississippi Bar ; U.S. District Courts and U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit .
• Member: Mississippi Bar Association, Mississippi Association for Justice, Junior League of Jackson .