MBJ_LIL-2016

2016 Crane Kipp

Lawyer of the Year - Page 4 INSIDE: Top 40 honorees - Pages 5-27

Special publication of the

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2016

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Jonell B. Beeler ............................. 5 Joel Blackledge .............................. 5 Si M. Bondurant ............................6 Michael Richard Brown ..................6 C. Phillip Buffington Jr. .................. 7 Todd G. Crawford ...........................8 Martin D. Crump ............................8 Margaret Oertling Cupples .............9 Tina Seymour Demoran ............... 10 David C. Goff ............................... 10 Margaret Sams Gratz .................... 11 Tiffany Piazza Grove .....................12 Michele Purvis Harris ....................12 James H. Heidelberg .....................13 Maison Heidelberg ........................14 James G. House III ........................14 Lyndsy Landry Irwin ......................15 LaKeysha Greer Isaac ....................16 Crane D. Kipp ................................4 Timothy W. Lindsay ......................16

J. Cal Mayo, Jr...............................17 Will Montgomery......................... 18 John D. Moore ............................. 18 Walter Morrison ...........................19 Cheryn Leigh Netz .......................20 David D. O’Donnell ......................20 Jody E. Owens II ...........................21 Christopher S. Pace ......................21 J. Ryan Perkins ............................ 22 Gregory D. Pirkle.......................... 22 William F. Ray ............................. 23 Brenda Tanner Redfern ................ 23 James D. Shannon ....................... 24 Shawn S. Shurden ....................... 24 Jennifer West Signs ..................... 25 Jennifer M. Studebaker ................ 25 Toni Walker Terrett ...................... 26 John Wade .................................. 26 Matthew Williams........................ 27 Michael Wolf ............................... 27

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MBJ Staff

2016 CLASS

LEADERSHIP IN LAW | Table of Contents |

ry

Image Stegall - Stegall Cover by Deryll

EVENT PHOTOS ..........................................................................................................28-29 PAST WINNERS .................................................................................................................30

2016 LEADERSHIP IN LAW | ARTICLE REPRINTS Call 601-364-1044 or submit request online at http://msbusiness.com/mbj-article-request/ *

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| Lawyer of the Year | LEADERSHIP IN LAW

2016

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LAWYER OF THE YEAR 2016

Crane D. Kipp Wise Carter Child

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rane Kipp has been of counsel to Wise Carter Child & Caraway since 2000 and has more than 40 years of experience representing corporations, institutions and individuals in a broad range of matters across Mississippi. For nearly 30 years, Kipp’s primary practice areas have involved healthcare industry regulation, finance and planning; eminent domain law; and land use planning. Kipp has represented clients in commercial and civil rights litigation.

Kipp studied at the University of Mississippi, obtaining his B.B.A. in 1972 and his J.D. in 1975. Kipp is admitted to practice in all Mississippi state and federal courts as well as the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Kipp was admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court in 1979 and first appeared before that court in 1981.

Kipp has served as the chairman of the Health Law Section of the Mississippi Bar Association and was inducted into the Fellows of the Mississippi Bar Foundation, the Fellows of the Mississippi Young Lawyers Association and numerous other bar societies and organizations. Kipp coached bar-sponsored Mock Trial teams for nearly 20 years.

In addition, Kipp has helped organize and has served pro bono as counsel for numerous charitable organizations largely focused on children’s healthcare, development and protection. He has also served as a director (and past president) of New Stage Theatre and serves as its counsel.

Jonell B. Beeler TOP 10

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onell Beeler is a shareholder in the Jackson office of Baker Donelson and concentrates her practice in health care.

She serves as leader of the firm’s Health Care Government Investigations Group and the Health Care Regulatory Task Force.

She earned Bachelors and Masters degrees from the University of Mississippi, and she received her J.D. from the University of Mississippi

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School of Law. She regularly advises clients on the Medicare Anti-Kickback Statute, the Stark Law and other issues related to the health care industry.

Professional Honors include listings in Mid-South Super Lawyers 2009 and The Best Lawyers in America since 2005 in Health Care Law. She was named a Leading Health Care Attorney by Legal Media Group in 2006 and was one of The Mississippi Business Journal’s 50 Leading Business Women in 1999. She is a member of the American Bar Association, Mississippi Bar Association, Capital Area Bar Association, American Health Lawyers Association, Phi Delta Phi and Phi Kappa Phi.

LEADERSHIP IN LAW | Nominees |

Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC

2016

Joel Blackledge Blackledge Law Firm

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oel Blackledge of Blackledge Law Firm in Gulfport is a lifelong resident of and fifth generation Mississippian. Before forming his own firm, his professional career included work at several Mississippi Gulf Coast defense firms, where he focused on real estate, corporate law and litigation, corporate risk assessment, complex transactional drafting/management, healthcare compliance and litigation, estate planning, probate, family law and general litigation.

During his professional career, he also served as General Counsel to multiple healthcare corporations, overseeing the legal aspects of a critical access hospital, skilled-nursing facilities, a comprehensive outpatient rehabilitative facility and a durable medical equipment company. He also has represented the public sector, having served several public entities in contract formation, negotiation, interpretation and adoption; competitive bidding; statutory interpretation; construction lending; litigation; and eminent domain.

Joel has a background in financial matters, having graduated magna cum laude in accounting from the University of Southern Mississippi. Joel earned his certified public accountant designation while in law school at Mississippi College and has served as an adjunct professor of accounting at William Carey University.

Blackledge is married to the former Shelly Goodbread of Hattiesburg, and they have one daughter, Joelly. Blackledge has served as special counsel to Westminster Academy. He also is Assistant District Commissioner for the Spanish Trail District of the Pine Burr Area Council of Boy Scouts.

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Si M. Bondurant Blair & Bondurant TOP 10

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i M. Bondurant of Blair & Bondurant is one of the most recognized oil and gas title attorneys in the Southeast. He graduated from Mississippi State University in 1971. After a year in the military, Bondurant began his legal studies at the University of Mississippi. After graduation Bondurant served as clerk to the Hon. Judge James P. Coleman, United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in 1975-1976.

Bondurant was born in Morton and moved to Jackson in 1976 and has been active in community and legal affairs with the Oil and Gas Lawyers Association, Mississippi Association of Petroleum Landmen, and the Mississippi Bar Association. Bondurant has had an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell for over 25 years. He was selected for induction in Best Lawyers in the fields of energy law, oil and gas law and natural resources.

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| Nominees | LEADERSHIP IN LAW

2016

Michael Richard Brown The Michael R Brown Law Offices, PLLC

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ichael Brown is the owner and sole attorney in his downtown Jackson law firm. Brown’s area of expertise is in civil rights cases under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other associated employment discrimination laws.

In 2003, he decided to go out on his own in private practice, and moved from Pennsylvania back to Mississippi. Still in Pennsylvania is his father, a semi-retired lawyer and Brown’s greatest role model. “He has taught me that a father’s role is to be an unwavering provider whose greatest responsibility is to try and live an honest life and support his family so they may have great experiences.”

Brown earned his Bachelors degree in Religious Studies from Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio, in 1995, and his J.D. from Mississippi College School of Law in 1998.

Brown currently belongs to The Mississippi Association of Justice, Mississippi Bar, Pennsylvania Bar, U.S. District Court in Mississippi (Northern and Southern Districts), Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.

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C. Phillip Buffington Jr. TOP 10

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t Adams and Reese, Phil Buffington is Partner in Charge of the firm’s Jackson office, co-leader of the Banking and Finance team, and a member of the Transactions and Corporate Advisory Services Practice Group. Practicing financial institution law since 1984, Buffington represents financial institutions in regulatory matters, mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, commercial lending law, capital planning, and securities law. He also handles financial institution litigation matters in state and federal courts and federal agencies, with a particular focus on mediation and arbitration. Additionally, he handles matters involving insurance regulatory law and nonprofit and charitable organizations, including affordable housing law.

In the legal community, Buffington is one of the firms’ representatives with various bankers and as a member of various sections within the American Bar Association, including the Banking Law Committee, Affordable Housing & Community Development Forum, and Business Law Section. He is a member of the Business Law Section of the Mississippi Bar Association. The Mississippi native is also an adjunct professor at Mississippi College School of Law and former President of the Mississippi College School of Law Alumni. He is on the University of Mississippi Banking and Finance Advisory Board, as Vice-Chairman of the Madison County Business League and Foundation, and on the Board of Governors of the Mississippi Economic Council.

Buffington has been recognized among the Mid-South Super Lawyers in Banking since 2011 and as a Best Lawyer in Banking and Finance and Mergers and Acquisitions Law for the past two years.

LEADERSHIP IN LAW | Nominees |

Adams and Reese LLP

2016

JACKSON OFFICE 207 West Jackson Street Suite 200 Ridgeland, MS 39157

Ogletree Deakins congratulates our own Timothy W. Lindsay for being named one of the top 10 “Leaders in Law” for 2016.

Ogletree Deakins is one of the largest labor and employment law firms representing management in all types of employment-related legal matters. The firm has 800 lawyers located in 50 offices across the United States and in Europe, Canada, and Mexico.

LAW FIRM OF THE YEAR Labor Law – Management

www.ogletree.com

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| Nominees | LEADERSHIP IN LAW

2016

Todd G. Crawford Fowler Rodriguez

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odd G. Crawford joined Fowler Rodriguez in January 2010 as a partner in the firm’s Gulfport office. For more than 25 years, Crawford has handled complex litigation, ranging from toxic exposures to marine disasters to catastrophic oilfield blowouts. He has represented clients in state and federal courts across the gulf south and along the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers.

Crawford was born in McComb and graduated from Louisiana Tech University with a degree in Chemistry in 1987. His background in science helps him in cases involving technical subject matter. In 1990, he received his J.D. from the Paul M. Hebert Law Center at Louisiana State University. Crawford served as the Law Clerk for the Hon. William P. Polk in the Ninth Judicial District Court of Louisiana from 1990 to 1991.

Professional Associations include: Southeast Admiralty Law Institute, Defense Research Institute, Louisiana State Bar Association, Texas State Bar Association, Alabama State Bar Association and the Mississippi State Bar Association.

Martin D. Crump Davis & Crump P.C.

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artin Crump, of Davis & Crump law firm, has successfully handled pharmaceutical and medical device litigation for over 20 years. He has been recognized as a leader amongst his peers and has consistently been selected to leadership positions in mass tort litigations across the United States.

Crump has been recognized by the National Trial Lawyers Association as one of the Top 100 Trial Lawyers and as one of the Top 25 Mass Tort Trial Lawyers. He is listed in both the 2017 Best Lawyers in America® and the U.S. News & World Report – Best Lawyers® Best Law Firms®.

Crump has been appointed by federal courts to numerous leadership positions involving various consolidated litigations including Chantix, Propecia, transvaginal mesh, Lipitor, testosterone and the Bair Hugger warming device. He currently serves as lead counsel of the Cook “transvaginal mesh” multi-district litigation (MDL) and serves on the executive committee for the Viagra-Melanoma MDL. Crump is also active in various state court litigations around the country and has been appointed as co-lead counsel in the Hydroxycut litigation in Philadelphia and the Skechers “Shape Ups” litigation in Los Angeles.

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Bradley Arant Boult Cummings, LLP

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argaret Oertling Cupples is a partner with Bradley Arant Boult and Cummings. She focuses on civil appeals and commercial litigation. Her practice centers on asbestos, benzene and silica mass-tort and products liability cases, insurance sales practices, consumer finance, and general commercial litigation. She has participated in more than two dozen appeals in Mississippi’s Supreme Court and Court of Appeals, and in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.

Women’s issues in the legal industry, mentorship, leadership and giving back have always been important to Cupples. She has been a part of the 3M Company’s Women’s Initiative since its creation. It encourages partners to mentor younger lawyers and develop relationships across the firm’s offices. She also works with other women in the community through her time with the Junior League of Jackson.

Cupples is a 1990 magna cum laude graduate of Trinity University, where she was a Phi Beta Kappa and Outstanding Graduate in English. She earned her law degree in 1993 at Washington & Lee University School of Law. Margaret is listed in The Best Lawyers in America in the field of Appellate Law and Products Liability Litigation, and in Benchmark Litigation as a Litigation Star and one of the top 250 Business Women in Litigation. The Mississippi Business Journal recognized her as one of the 50 Leading Business Women in 2010.

LEADERSHIP IN LAW | Nominees |

Margaret Oertling Cupples

2016

We congratulate founding partner Martin Crump on his selection as a

2016 Leader in Law by the Mississippi Business Journal.

Experienced Trial Lawyers. Exceptional Results.

Over the past 30 years, Davis & Crump has recovered more than $1 billion for our clients.

At Davis & Crump, our attorneys are proven leaders, serving in key positions in various consolidated litigations throughout the country.

This dedication to our clients has paved the way for our track record of success.

Whether you are an individual client or a referring attorney, your case will get our full attention.

Because at Davis & Crump, every client matters.

P h o n e 2 2 8 . 8 6 3 . 6 0 0 0 • To l l Fr e e 1. 8 0 0 . 2 7 7. 0 3 0 0 • Fa x 2 2 8 . 8 6 4 . 0 9 07 • w w w. d av i s c r u m p . c o m

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| Nominees | LEADERSHIP IN LAW

2016

Tina Seymour Demoran Seymour Law Firm, PLLC

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ina Seymour Demoran, JD, RRT is the founder and managing attorney of Seymour Law Firm, a boutique law firm specializing in estate planning, probate, medical regulatory compliance, land law and business planning and operation.

Prior to opening her own firm, Demoran was the Director of Corporate Compliance with Corporate Management, Incorporated and Mississippi Children’s Home Services in Jackson; a Cardiopulmonary Specialist with CHRISTUS Spohn Health System in Corpus Christi, Texas; a Director at Mississippi College School of Law, and a member of a criminal defense team in the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia in The Hague, Holland.

Demoran also has an AAS in Respiratory Therapy, two BA’s in Psychology and Biblical Studies from Belhaven College, and a Juris Doctorate from Mississippi College School of Law. She Currently holds licenses in Respiratory Therapy and Law and is admitted to all state and federal courts in Mississippi and the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.

She was named the 2009 Young Lawyer of the Year by MC Law, as well as a 2011 “Top 40 Under 40,” a 2015 “Healthcare Hero,” and a Lighthouse Woman of Achievement for 2015.

David C. Goff Deutsch Kerrigan, LLP

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avid C. Goff is the Managing Partner of Deutsch Kerrigan’s Gulfport office and has over 20 years experience practicing law on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Goff defends clients in the areas of commercial litigation, construction, labor & employment, OSHA defense, professional liability and personal injury defense and is a regular speaker on construction, OSHA defense and compliance, zoning/land use and labor/employment topics.

Goff earned his A.S. from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 1976, and his B.S. at Loyola University in 1988. He earned his law degree at Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law in 1991.

He is a member of the Association of General Contractors, American Bar Association (Labor/Employment), Harrison County Bar Association, Defense Research Institute, and the Mississippi Bar Association Goff is a volunteer track coach at Pass Christian High School. He also serves as the Chancellor at Trinity Episcopal Church.

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Margaret Sams Gratz

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argaret Gratz is an attorney with Mitchell McNutt & Sams in Tupelo. Her practice focuses primarily on nursing home defense, commercial disputes, employment litigation and other complex litigation matters. Gratz has represented corporate clients, businesses and insurance companies in the state and federal courts of Mississippi and Tennessee.

Gratz earned her B.A. at William Woods University in 1994, and her Juris Doctor in 1998 at the University of Mississippi School of Law. In 1998-99 she was a law clerk for United States District Judge Glen H. Davidson, and she worked with Butler Snow from 1999 to 2004.

She has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America (2013-15), Governor’s Judicial Advisory Committee (2012-15), and has been a participant in the International Association of Defense Counsel Trial Advocacy.

She is an Elder and Sunday School Teacher at First Presbyterian Church, a board member at Church After School Association, and a member of the Fund Distribution Committee for the United Way.

LEADERSHIP IN LAW | Nominees |

Mitchell McNutt & Sams

2016

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| Nominees | LEADERSHIP IN LAW

2016

Tiffany Piazza Grove Williford, McAllister & Jacobus

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iffany Piazza Grove is a partner with Williford, McAllister & Jacobus in Ridgeland. Her practice focuses on general litigation, estate planning and litigation, trust litigation, minor settlements and insurance defense and coverage.

She is a member of the Mississippi Bar, the board of directors of the Capitol Area Bar Association, Women in the Profession, Mississippi Women’s Lawyers Association, Madison County Bar Association, Mississippi Young Lawyers Division and Jackson Young Lawyers. She has been involved with the National Institute of Trial Advocacy Trial School, Evelyn Gandy Lecture Series, Price Prather Luncheon and Mississippi Bar Leadership Forum Grove was named “Volunteer of the Year” with Tackle a Cure in 2014, and was “Parent of the Year” with Clinton Christian Academy in 2012.

Grove graduated magna cum laude from the University of Southern Mississippi in 2001, and earned her law degree from the Mississippi College School of Law in 2004.

She previously worked was a Judicial Law Clerk at the Mississippi Court of Appeals.

Michele Purvis Harris Office of the Hinds Public Defender TOP 10

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ichele Purvis Harris was born in Hinds County and grew up in Mt. Olive. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science in 1984 from Jackson State University and her Doctor of Jurisprudence in May of 1987 from the University Of Mississippi School Of Law. She was admitted to the Mississippi Bar in October, 1987 and has practiced law in Mississippi for over 28 years.

Upon graduation from law school she practiced with the Legal Services Corporation until 1991 when became Jackson’s Assistant City Prosecutor. In 1994, Harris was appointed by then-Mayor Kane Ditto as Jackson’s first African American Chief City Prosecutor.

In 2003, she began working with the Hinds County District Attorney’s office as an Assistant District Attorney where she prosecuted felony charges and presented cases to the grand jury. In 2007 she launched an unsuccessful campaign bid for the position of Hinds County District Attorney.

In January 2012, Harris was appointed Hinds County Public Defender, making her the first female, as well as the first African American to be Public Defender in Hinds County. During her first year as Public Defender the office had over an 80 percent trial success rate.

Harris lives in Clinton with her husband, Melvin Harris, and has one daughter, Madison, a junior at Mississippi State University.

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James H. Heidelberg

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immy Heidelberg is a shareholder with Heidelberg Steinberger Colmer and Burrow and is a lifelong resident of Pascagoula.

He graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1975, receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science and Finance. He received a Juris Doctorate Degree from the University of Mississippi in December 1977, and has practiced law in Pascagoula since his admission to the Bar in January 1978. After an internship in the Jackson County Public Defender’s Office, he practiced as a sole practitioner until he joined the firm in 1982.

His practice primarily involves trial and appellate litigation in the fields of personal injury, governmental law and professional liability. Heidelberg holds the distinction of being the first legal intern to conduct oral arguments before the Mississippi Supreme Court in 1977, which resulted in the reversal of a capital murder conviction.

In 2008, then-Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant appointed him to serve on the Mississippi State Oil & Gas Board, and was reappointed by Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves. He also serves on Bryant’s Judicial Nominating Committee.

Heidelberg served as Special Counsel to the Mississippi Senate in 2002 and 2003, a time when Mississippi enacted significant tort reform legislation and changes to Mississippi laws regarding sovereign immunity.

LEADERSHIP IN LAW | Nominees |

Heidelberg Steinberger Colmer and Burrow

2016

Biggs, Ingram & Solop, PLLC Proudly Congratulates

BRENDA REDFERN

Bradley congratulates Margaret Oertling Cupples on being named a 2017 Leader in Law by the Mississippi Business Journal

on being chosen as one of

Mississippi’s Leaders in Law 2017

111 East Capitol Street, Suite 101 Jackson, Mississippi 39201 601-713-1192 www.bislawyers.com

Bradley attorneys understand that legal matters are more than contests of critical thought; they have real-world implications, which is why we prioritize integrity. It is this integrity that inspires all of us to go above and beyond our clients’ expectations by providing innovative solutions, dependable responsiveness and a deep commitment to success.

No representation is made that the quality of the legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers. ATTORNEY ADVERTISING. Contact: Margaret Oertling Cupples, Esq., 601.592.9914, mcupples@bradley.com, Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP, 188 E. Capitol Street, Suite 400, Jackson, MS 39201.

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| Nominees | LEADERSHIP IN LAW

2016

Maison Heidelberg Watson Heidelberg Jones, PLLC

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aison Heidelberg is a partner with Watson, Heidelberg and Jones of Flowood. He is a 1989 graduate of Mississippi State University and graduated summa cum laude from Vanderbilt University School of Law in 1993.

He served as Senior Student Writing Editor for the Vanderbilt Law Review. Upon graduation, he clerked for Judge Edward B. Davis, United States District Court, Southern District of Florida.

He is a member of the Capital Area Bar Association and the Mississippi Bar Association and is licensed to practice in all state courts of Mississippi as well as the Northern and Southern U.S. District Courts and the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. He was elected to the Mississippi State University Hall of Fame upon graduation.

Maison has maintained a regular trial practice in the federal courts in Mississippi. He recently served as Chairman of the Magistrate Judge Merit Selection Panel after being selected by the federal judges for the Southern District of Mississippi. He was also selected by the judiciary to assist in drafting the Fifth Circuit Model Jury Instructions. Maison has been consistently listed in Best Lawyers in Mississippi, as well as in Mid-South Super Lawyers, where he was recently named as one of the Top 50 Lawyers in Mississippi.

James G. House III Cosmich Simmons & Brown, PLLC

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ames Gordon House III recently joined the law firm of Cosmich Simmons & Brown. He previously had worked as a director and partner at Maron Marvel Bradley Anderson & Tardy. He started with the firm in 2003 when it was Forman Perry Watkins Kurtz & Tardy.

Previously he was Municipal Attorney for Mobile, Ala., while a part of Atchison, Crosby, Saad & Beebe. He also was Insurance Defense Attorney while with Brooks & Hamby in Mobile and was an associate at Cherry Givens Peters & Lockett. From 1992-93 he was a clerk in the office of Hon. Michael Sullivean of the Mississippi Supreme Court.

He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in 1989 in Philosophy at Millsaps College in Jackson, and his Juris Doctor in 1992 at the University of Alabama School of Law. Memberships and Associations include The Mississippi Bar; Alabama State Bar Association; Tennessee Bar Association; Mobile County Bar Association; Capital Area Bar Association; Member, Worker’s Compensation and Labor and Employment Section, Mississippi Bar Association; President, Mobile County, Alabama Young Lawyer’s Section (1996).

House considers himself an avid outdoorsman and enjoys running, hunting, reading and helping his in-laws at their farm. He has competed in several marathons, including Boston and New York City since 2003.

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Lyndsy Landry Irwin

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yndsy Landry Irwin says her most signiďŹ cant personal accomplishment was being the ďŹ rst in her family to graduate with a four-year college degree which she earned from the University of Southern Mississippi. After graduating magna cum laude from USM, she graduated cum laude from Mississippi College School of Law in 2010.

Now, she is an attorney with the Mississippi Department of Human Services, serving as the Chief of Staff to the Deputy Administrator of Programs. In this role, she serves as the Director of Child Support Enforcement, as well as the Assistant Deputy for the Division of Youth Services and the Division of Aging and Adult Services. She previously worked in the Division of Family and Children’s Services. Since joining the agency in 2011, she has served as a legislative liaison working closely with the legislature, leadership of other agencies, and various stakeholders to draft legislation and advocate for the agency.

Irwin is a member of the Mississippi Bar Association. She serves on the Women in the Profession Committee and YLD’s Homeless Youth Committee. She has completed the Mississippi Bar Leadership forum, and was recently appointed to serve on the Mississippi Commission on Children’s Justice. She also volunteers on various committees of the National Child Support Enforcement Association.

LEADERSHIP IN LAW | Nominees |

Mississippi Dept. of Human Services

2016

SERVING OUR CLIENTS FOR OVER A CENTURY

BRUNINI CONGRATULATES JOHNNY WADE 2016 LEADER IN THE LAW

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| Nominees | LEADERSHIP IN LAW

2016

LaKeysha Greer Isaac Cosmich Simmons & Brown, PLLC

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aKeysha Isaac is an attorney with Cosmich Simmons & Brown in Jackson.

She is a graduate of Millsaps College with a degree in Political Science. She earned her law degree from Emory University School of Law in 2000.

Isaac has been listed in the Mid-South Rising Stars of 2012 and MidSouth Super Lawyer in 2013, 2014 and 2015. She is a fellow with the Young Lawyers Division of the Mississippi Bar, a Goodwill Industries Volunteer Salute Winner and a Mississippi Business Journal Top 40 under 40 honoree.

She is a member of the Mississippi Bar Association, Magnolia Bar Association, Mississippi Women Lawyers Association, Capital Area Bar Association, Jackson Young Lawyers and Mississippi Bar Young Lawyers Division.

She is a past board chair of Goodwill Industries of Mississippi, president of Ebony Pearls Foundation, Incorporated, past president of Rho Lambda Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, and committee chairman with the Junior League of Jackson.

Timothy W. Lindsay Ogletree Deakins TOP 10

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im Lindsay is the Managing Shareholder in the Ogletree Deakins’ Jackson office, and has practiced exclusively in labor and employment law on behalf of management since 1987.

He is a life-long Mississippian with personal and professional ties across the state. Lindsay has an interest in the economic growth and development of his native state which he believes directly coincides with the success of businesses operating in Mississippi and the stability of the state’s workforce.

Lindsay is often sought by clients to provide legal advice and offer guidance in avoiding potential problems and litigation in the labor and employment arena.

He earned his B.B.A. in Managerial Finance at the University of Mississippi in 1981, and his J.D. at Ole Miss in 1984.

He is active in the American Bar Association, Mississippi Bar Association, Mississippi Defense Lawyers Association, Madison County Bar Association and Capital Area Bar Association.

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2016

J. Cal Mayo, Jr.

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al Mayo is an Oxford attorney and focuses on general and commercial litigation, government and education law, immigration law, and real estate transactions.

Mayo is a graduate of the University of Mississippi and received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Virginia in 1989. In 2000, Cal Mayo and Pope Mallette founded Mayo Mallette with a sense of optimism and determination, akin to that of the small town in which they chose to live and work. They sought to create a practice where dedicated, streamlined work brought better, clearer, faster results.

Mayo was a member of the search committee for the Chancellor at the University of Mississippi in 2009 and for the Athletics Director in 2012. He has been on the Ole Miss Foundation Board of Governors since 2006 and was on the Foundation Board of Directors from 2004-2010 and he was president of the Oxford High School Charger Booster Club from 2012-2013. Mayo is also a member of the St. Peter’s Episcopal Church and a graduate of Leadership Mississippi.

LEADERSHIP IN LAW | Nominees |

Mayo Mallette

CONGRATULATIONS JIM SHANNON We don’t just practice in this community

WE’RE A PART OF IT

on being chosen one of Mississippi’s Leaders in Law 2016

Jones Walker LLP congratulates our partner Christopher S. Pace on being named a 2016 Mississippi Business Journal “Leadership in Law” award recipient. We congratulate Chris and all of the honorees for their achievements and contributions across the state.

Jeffrey R. Barber 190 E Capitol St | Suite 800 601.949.4765 Jackson, MS 39201 jbarber@joneswalker.com www.joneswalker.com ALABAMA | ARIZONA | DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA | FLORIDA GEORGIA | LOUISIANA | MISSISSIPPI | NEW YORK | OHIO | TEXAS Attorney Advertising. No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other attorneys.

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| Nominees | LEADERSHIP IN LAW

2016

Will Montgomery Gammill and Montgomery

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illiam D. Montgomery (Will), a lifelong Mississippi resident, was born in Greenwood and raised in Port Gibson.

Since graduating from the University Of Mississippi School Of Law, Montgomery’s practice has focused on personal injury and civil litigation. He possesses experience in plaintiff ’s work as well as defense litigation, providing effective, efficient representation tailored to the individual needs of his clients.

Montgomery currently represents clients with cases ranging from automobile accidents, trucking accidents, and premises liability cases to bad-faith insurance denials, construction defect cases, commercial litigation, and bankruptcy.

Montgomery is a Martindale Hubbard AV rated attorney and has been distinguished as a MidSouth Super Lawyers – Rising Star. He is licensed to practice in the state courts of Mississippi and Tennessee, all Mississippi Federal Courts, the United States District Court for the Western District of Tennessee, and the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.

John D. Moore John D. Moore, P. A.

J

ohn Moore is known as a successful litigator who has tried many cases before juries and judges throughout the country. He has also had success in resolving matters without the necessity of a trial through alternative dispute resolution and negotiation. John has worked in most areas of the insurance industry and has been previously employed by the Mississippi Department of Insurance, Mississippi Secretary of State, and Government Employees Insurance Company (GEICO). He also has experience in the banking field and has been a business and commercial property owner for most of his adult life.

Moore practices law in Ridgeland primarily in the areas of commercial real estate, business bankruptcy, and mergers and acquisitions. He received his undergraduate degree from Mercer University, his JD and MBA from Mississippi College, and his LLM in Taxation, with honors, from the University of Alabama. Moore lives in Madison with his wife, Penny, and children, Julia (6) and Luke (2). They attend St. Matthews United Methodist Church. Moore currently serves on the Board of Governors for Shriners’ Hospital for Children in Shreveport, Louisiana and as an Advisory Board Member for Stop Hunger Now in Jackson.

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Walter Morrison

W

GOOD NEWS IS WORTH REPEATING! Digital Reprint

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alter Morrison was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and graduated in 1986 and from Louisiana State University with a B.S. in accounting in 1990. He attended Mississippi College School of Law where he was the Production Editor of the law review and graduated with a Juris Doctor in 1993.

Morrison’s practice started in Jackson when he joined Upshaw Williams in 1993 and focused primarily on the defense of personal injury cases. In 2000, Walter joined the firm of Sessums, Dallas & Morrison where he remained until January 2013 focusing primarily on plaintiff ’s personal injury litigation, primarily medical malpractice. Morrison became of counsel with Gainsburgh, Benjamin in January 2013 and he practices in both Mississippi and Louisiana.

Walter currently serves on the Adjunct Faculty of the Mississippi College School of Law where he teaches Law and Medicine. He has also lectured at the University of Mississippi School of Law and the Mississippi College School of Law in the areas of trial practice.

LEADERSHIP IN LAW | Nominees |

Gainsburgh, Benjamin, David, Meunier & Washauer

2016

We Proudly Congratulate

Jennifer Studebaker

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www.formanwatkins.com Detroit | Houston | Jackson | New Jersey | New Orleans

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| Nominees | LEADERSHIP IN LAW

2016

Cheryn Leigh Netz Mississippi Secretary of State

A

s Assistant Secretary of State of the Policy and Research Division in the MS Secretary of State’s Office from 2008-2010, Cheryn Netz worked with numerous professional volunteers in Mississippi to reform the state’s business laws and make them more friendly to business. In addition to making improvements to the corporation laws, charities laws and trademark laws, she also worked with two different groups that wrote the LLC Act and the Securities Act. The LLC Act was adopted by the Mississippi Legislature and went into effect in 2011. Netz joined a group of securities lawyers in adapting the Uniform Securities Act drafted by the Uniform Law Commission to Mississippi. This Act went was adopted by the legislature without objections and went into effect in 2010. There have been several improvements to our existing act which has helped the Division to better protect investors.

Netz received her BA from the University of Mississippi in 1988 and her Juris Doctorate in 1991 from the University of Denver College of Law. She was a member of the 2003 Mississippi Business Journal 50 Leading Businesswomen and enjoys Scuba Diving, Ballroom Dancing and Taekwondo.

David D. O’Donnell Clayton O’Donnell

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avid D. O’Donnell has more than 25 years of experience in the successful handling of matters involving product liability, business, public entity and insurance litigation. He has been retained to defend recreational vehicle manufacturers, public entities, insurers and individuals before the Mississippi and Tennessee federal and state courts. Mr. O’Donnell works in the Clayton O’Donnell, PLLC Oxford office.

O’Donnell is the author of “Mississippi Automobile Insurance Law and Practice”, a practice manual for lawyers and insurance claim professionals, published by West Publishing. He has also co-authored several legal works on voting rights litigation under the Voting Rights Act, including two chapters in a treatise published by the American Bar Association.

O’Donnell obtained his undergraduate degree from The American University (School of International Service) in 1980 while also working full time at Georgetown University School of Medicine.

He received his juris doctorate in 1985 from the University of Mississippi.

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Jody E. Owens II

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ody Owens leads the SPLC’s Mississippi office and its efforts to reform the state’s juvenile justice, adult criminal justice, educational, and mental health systems. He focuses on the representation of vulnerable children and works to increase investments in communities and schools. His work has brought to light horrific and unconstitutional conditions forced upon children and youth in many for-profit and public juvenile detention facilities in Mississippi.

Previously, he was an attorney at Butler Snow, where he successfully litigated a variety of cases, including civil rights and constitutional law cases. He also served as a special prosecutor for the District Attorney’s office of Hinds County. He is a summa cum laude graduate of Jackson State University and received his law degree from Howard University School of Law, where he was a member of the Social Justice Law Review. Owens is also an officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve.

LEADERSHIP IN LAW | Nominees |

Southern Poverty Law Center

2016

www.msbusiness.com

Christopher S. Pace Jones Walker LLP

C

hris Pace is an attorney in the firm’s Business & Commercial Transactions Practice Group and practices from the firm’s Jackson office. He concentrates his practice in the areas of project finance and economic development law, state and local government law, economic development incentives and gaming law.

His clients include both county and municipal governmental bodies, as well as new and expanding business concerns such as a large steel company investing over $1 billion in a new facility, and a new regional beverage supplier investing millions of dollars to expand its existing operations. Pace has negotiated and documented various economic incentives including property, sales, use, income, and franchise tax incentives. In the course of his work, he has assisted clients in negotiating and implementing incentives with the Mississippi Development Authority, the Mississippi Department of Revenue, and other state and local governmental entities.

He is a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi and the Mississippi College School of Law.

21

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| Nominees | LEADERSHIP IN LAW

2016

J. Ryan Perkins Copeland Cook Taylor and Bush

R

yan Perkins is a Martindale-Hubbell “AV” rated attorney who has practiced for fifteen years in the areas of premises liability and premises security litigation, product liability litigation, employment litigation, transportation litigation and construction defect litigation. A Shareholder with the firm of Copeland, Cook, Taylor & Bush in Ridgeland, Perkins is also experienced in drafting insurance coverage opinions, providing insurance coverage analysis and defending declaratory judgments. He is licensed in all Mississippi and Tennessee State and Federal Courts, as well as the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. Perkins authors practice-specific articles for several legal and industry publications, serves on the speaking faculty at various litigation seminars and on committees of several legal and civic organizations in the Jackson area. He obtained a Bachelor of Business Administration with International Business emphasis in 1999 and a Juris Doctor in 2002, both from the University of Mississippi.

Perkins was honored by “Best Lawyers in America” in the category of Insurance Litigation in 2016.

He has been chosen as a Mid-South Super Lawyer in Civil Litigation Defense every year from 2013 through 2016. From 2011 through 2012, he was selected as a Mid-South Super Lawyers “Rising Star” in Civil Litigation Defense. Perkins was recognized by the Mississippi Business Journal in 2012 as one of Mississippi’s Top 40 Under 40 Business Leaders.

Gregory D. Pirkle Phelps Dunbar LLP TOP 10

N

ew Albany native and fourth-generation Mississippian Greg Pirkle, managing partner of Phelps Dunbar’s Tupelo office, has practiced law in Tupelo for 28 years – and continues to move the area further and further forward each year through his legal and community achievements and involvement.

While his contributions to the legal industry are immeasurable, his community involvement has had as big – if not a bigger – impact on the area. He also dabbled in politics, most recently in a campaign for U.S. Representative for the First Congressional District of Mississippi to replace the late Rep. Alan Nunnelee. Though both campaigns were unsuccessful, the efforts further demonstrate his concern for the well-being of the state and its residents and desire to continue moving the state forward.

Pirkle is actively involved in a number of civic and community organizations, including serving as a past-president and board member of the Boys and Girls Club of North Mississippi, the Harrisburg Cultural and Social Services Center Inc., the Tupelo chapter of Junior Achievement, the Rotary Club of Tupelo and the United Way. Greg also is a member of the Tupelo Community Chorus, a participant in Tupelo Community Theater productions and is active with his church, Calvary Baptist. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Baylor University, his juris doctor from the University of Mississippi School of Law and his LL.M. in Taxation from the New York University School of Law.

22

William F. Ray TOP 10

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illiam Ray has practiced law with Watkins & Eager PLLC for thirty years. His practice focuses on commercial litigation and arbitration, including representation of banks, securities brokers, financial advisors, insurance companies, and fiduciaries. William has served as lead counsel in defending class actions in Mississippi and elsewhere. Ray has served as a securities arbitrator for FINRA, and obtained his mediator certification from the Duke University Private Adjudication Center in 2002.

Ray has authored briefs in the Fifth Circuit and the Mississippi Supreme Court on behalf of the Mississippi Consumer Finance Association, the Mississippi Bankers Association, and the American Bankers Association. He has been recognized by Benchmark Litigation as a Local Litigation Star in 2016; by Chambers USA as a leader in Litigation as well as many other honors.

When asked of his most important person accomplishment, Ray lists his wife of 32 years, Martha, and his children, Adam, Alex and Anna Katherine. “Nothing else matters,” he says.

LEADERSHIP IN LAW | Nominees |

Watkins & Eager

2016

Brenda Tanner Redfern Biggs, Ingram & Solop, PLLC TOP 10

B

renda Redfern’s law practice encompasses three primary areas: litigation, general corporate matters and teaching. She practices in every resolution venue — trials, arbitration, mediation, and administrative hearings with regulatory agencies. Brenda has extensive experience in business and as a manager in both the public and private sectors which makes her uniquely qualified to assist clients with general corporate matters.

Brenda’s teaching career spans a period of more than 30 years. In 2015, Brenda joined the University of Mississippi School of Law faculty as an adjunct professor. She also serves as an instructor for the State of Mississippi’s certified public manager program. From 1982 until 2013, Brenda taught at Belhaven University. In 2011, Brenda was appointed by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court as a Commissioner for the Mississippi Ethics Commission.

Brenda lives in Richland with her husband, Richard, and their three daughters. She enjoys relaxing with a good book, scrapbooking and almost everything “crafty.”

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| Nominees | LEADERSHIP IN LAW

2016

James D. Shannon Shannon Law Firm TOP 10

J

im Shannon is one of the attorneys in the state and southeast who “stands out from the crowd”. In fact, if you ask any Mississippi attorney if they know him, the likely answer is “yes” because of the outstanding professional reputation Shannon has among his peers.

He is a graduate of Mississippi College here he received his bachelor of arts and masters of arts degrees in history. From 1969 through 1972, he served in the U.S. Army and served in Vietnam as a First Lieutenant with the 101st Airborne Division.

After his military service, he earned his Juris Doctor degree in 1977 from the University of Mississippi School of Law. While his professional bio will list many regional and national professional awards for his work, his drive and passion for his clients and his willingness to help others make his mission. He truly believes in his clients and advocates for those who might not have a voice or who need a helping hand to seek justice. Shannon takes pride in making his community a better place to live and he is vested in Hazlehurst, Mississippi, and Copiah County.

Shawn S. Shurden Mississippi Public Service Commission

S

hawn Shurden is the head the Public Service Commission legal division and engage in and direct all legal activities and rulemaking proceedings associated with regulating the establishment, operation, extension or curtailment of public utility rates, services and operations. He advises elected commissioners in all matters associated with regulated public utilities, including policy. He oversees and coordinates all legal and policy activity related to PSC involvement in state and federal forums, including interstate electric energy markets and transmission organizations.

Shurden is a 1996 graduate of Delta State and received is Juris Doctorate from William and Mary in 1999.

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Jennifer West Signs

J

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ennifer West Signs is a partner in Balch & Bingham LLP’s Gulfport office and practices primarily in the area of commercial real estate acquisitions, development, and financing as well as general real estate law. She is an authorized signatory with the firm’s Mississippi agency with First American Title Insurance Company and has extensive experience in negotiating and issuing complex land title policies for both lenders and owners in multi-million dollar transactions. Ms. Signs’ recent projects have included casino, shopping center, State and County port, power plant, and other industrial developments, both as general counsel and as local counsel working in association with law firms in other States. Ms. Signs is a member of the Mississippi Bar Association, where she served as Chair of the Executive Committee of the Real Property Section from 2006-2007 and on the Ethics Committee from 2009-2010; the American Bar Association, Real Property, Trust and Estates Law Section; the American Land Title Association as representative of the firm; and the Harrison County Bar Association.

LEADERSHIP IN LAW | Nominees |

Balch & Bingham LLP

2016

Jennifer M. Studebaker Forman Watkins & Krutz LLP

W

ith years of schooling and significant real-world experience, Jennifer Studebaker is a successful attorney who is passionate about people and the practice of law. She studied abroad in college, worked as an assistant D.A., and served as a Municipal Court Judge. She currently represents numerous companies in a variety of lawsuits. Business is personal with Jennifer, and she dedicates her time to protecting the legacies of her clients. She builds personal relationships with her clients that foster open communication and trust, which allows her to better understand their needs. When working with Studebaker, clients can expect to see an attorney who is responsive, hardworking, and truly wants to make a difference.

Her primary specialty is mass torts litigation. I have worked with premises owners and product manufacturers throughout the country to defend them against plaintiff ’s claims. In addition to defending individual lawsuits in a variety of jurisdictions, I served as national coordinating counsel for three product manufacturers. She is a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi and received her juris doctorate from The University of Mississippi.

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Toni Walker Terrett City of Vicksburg

A

s Vicksburg Municipal Court judge, Toni Terrett says she has worked to find creative, yet effective ways other than jail to hold people accountable. These methods include forming a Community Impact Panel, using electronic monitoring as a sentencing condition, working with community liaisons to find the most appropriate options for treatment and/or counseling as needed for some defendants.

Terrett says as a judge, she provides a respectable and professional environment where attorneys can use their training and expertise to effectively represent their clients. By keeping abreast of developments in the law and current events, she am able to make informed decisions in the cases that are presented before me.

Terrett is a graduate of Tougaloo College and received her Master’s in Journalism from the University of Memphis. She earned her juris doctorate from the Mississippi College School of Law in 2005.

www.msbusiness.com

| Nominees | LEADERSHIP IN LAW

2016

John Wade Brunini, Grantham, Grower & Hewes, PLLC TOP 10

J

ohn Wade joined the Brunini Firm in 1983. He has extensive civil litigation experience in state and federal trial and appellate courts in Mississippi and before the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. He has been named a Mid-South Super Lawyer® in the fields of Personal Injury Defense and Medical Malpractice and by Best Lawyers® in America in the fields of Commercial Litigation and Personal Injury Litigation-Defendants.

Leadership positions Wade has held in professional and civic affairs include President of the Jackson Young Lawyers, President of the Central Mississippi Chapter of the University of Mississippi Alumni Association and President of the Young Jacksonians for the Symphony. Wade has also served on the Boards of Directors of the Hinds County Bar Association, the Jackson Metropolitan YMCA and is a member of Jackson Preparatory High School’s Board of Trustees. He is also a member of the Mississippi Defense Lawyers Association and the American Bar Association’s Litigation, Torts and Insurance Practice Sections.

26

Matthew Williams

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aving tried cases throughout the state of Mississippi, Matthew Williams’ practice is primarily focused in the areas of First and Third Party Insurance Defense, Trucking and Transportation, Employer’s Liability, Professional Liability and Construction. Matt’s aggressive mindset and well-reasoned approach to litigation has routinely produced favorable verdicts and results for clients. As a testament to these results, he serves as local counsel to some of the largest insurance carriers in the United States and abroad and is also often called on to represent his clients’ interests in corporate acquisitions and other transactional matters.

Williams joined the Gulfport office of Galloway Johnson after having already established his presence in Mississippi. A native of Pascagoula, Matt has remained a lifelong resident of the Mississippi Gulf Coast. In 2012, and again in 2014, he was appointed by the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the City of Ocean Springs to serve as Vice-President of the city’s Economic Development Council. Additionally, he serves on the Board of Directors for the Back Bay Mission, a local non-profit aimed at eradicating poverty along the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

LEADERSHIP IN LAW | Nominees |

Galloway, Johnson, Tompkins, Burr, & Smith

2016

Michael Wolf Page, Kruger & Holland

M

ichael Wolf of Page, Kruger and Holland has a broad litigation practice, which includes representing numerous small businesses, counties, sheriffs, deputies, police officers, firemen, school districts, school personnel, court personnel, and universities. He served as President Government Law Section of the Mississippi Bar, 20122013. Wolf also has experience with civil rights litigation, workers’ compensation, employment matters, premises liability, construction disputes, commercial litigation and health care law. Wolf is an active member of the Rankin County Bar Association and also does pro bono work.

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| Event Photos | LEADERSHIP IN LAW

Photos by Stegall Imagery

2016

28

Photos by Stegall Imagery

2016 LEADERSHIP IN LAW | Event Photos | www.msbusiness.com

Above photo by Frank Brown

29

For the list of winners dating back to Leadership in Law’s inagural year, please visit us online at: http://msbusiness.com/past-event-winners/

www.msbusiness.com

| Past Winners | LEADERSHIP IN LAW

2016

2015

2014

Levoy Bryant “Bo” Agnew, IV, Agnew Law Office Scott Andress, Balch and Bingham Sheryl Bey, Baker Donelson Robert A. Biggs, III, Biggs, Ingram & Solop Katrina Brown, Brown Bass & Jeter Yancy Brian Burns, Burns & Associates, PLLC Gayla Capenter-Sansers, Mississippi Volunteer Lawyers Project Mark P. Caraway, Wise Carter Child Beau Cole, Forman Watkins Krutz & Tardy LLP C. Greg Copeland, Copeland Cook Taylor Bush Clyde X. “Trey” Copeland, III, Esq. , Jernigan Copeland & Anderson PLLC John Cox, Cox & Moore, PLLC Joe Deaton, Deaton & Berry, P.A. Trey Dellinger, Wells Marble Hurst Sean Wesley Ellis, Young Wells Emiko Faust, Mississippi Department of Human Services Mary Margaret Gay, Maron Marvel Bradley & Anderson LLC Kathryn Gilchrist, Gilchrist Donnell Tiffany Graves, Mississippi Access to Justice Commission C. Joyce Hall, Watkins & Eager Pamela Hancock, Hancock Law Firm B. Stevens Hazard, Daniel Coker Horton Bell Curt Herbert, Brunini Grantham Henry Laird, Jones Walker Vicki Lowery Leech, Mississippi College Law School J. Tyler McCaughn, Monroe & McCaugh, PLLC Lance Mixon, Carmody, Stewart & Mixon Tami Munsch, Tami Munsch, Attorney at Law Kimberly W. Nailor, Law Offices of Kimberly Walker-Nailor David M. Ott, Bryan Nelson, PA Alex Purvis, Bradley Arant Boult Cummings, LLP Paul Rosenblatt , Butler Snow Richard “Ricky” Smith , Ninth Circuit Court T. McCall Stern, McCall Stern, PLLC Thomas Suszek, Holcomb Dunbar Watts Ueltschey, Brunini Grantham Justin Warren , Currie Johnson Griffin & Myers, P.A. Rocky Wilkins, Rocky Wilkins Law Firm, PLLC Allyson L. Winters, Trustmark National Bank Jim G. Wyly, III , Phelps Dunbar

Jenny Tyler Baker, Tindell Law Firm, PLLC Chuck Barlow, Entergy Sharkey Burke, Anderson Crawley & Burke, pllc David Calder, UMC School of Law Shundral Cole, Harrison County District Attorney’s Office D. Christopher Daniel, District Attorney, 2nd Judicial District, MS Jennie Eichelberger, Southern Poverty Law Center Kenneth Farmer, Young Wells William PA Cheri Green, Blue Cross Blue Shield Joshua P. Henry, Wells Marble & Hurst, PLLC Milton “Dee” Hobbs Jr. , Harris Shelton Hanover Walsh, PLLC Jamie G. Houston III, Watkins & Eager Gina Jacobs, Jones Walker, LLP Samuel Kelly, Brunini, Grantham, Grower & Hewes, PLLC Judson M. Lee, Judson M. Lee, PLLC David Lord, David L. Lord & Associates Erik Lowrey, Lowrey & Fortner, PA George Scott Luter, George S. Luter, Attorney at Law Ellis “Bilbo” Mitchell, District Attorney, 10th Circuit Court District Mary Clay Morgan, Bradley Arant Boult Cummings, LLP John Nisbett, Heilman Law Group Joe Sam Owen, Owen, Galloway & Myers J Randall Patterson, Baker Donelson Jeffrey Pierce, Law Offices of Jeffrey G. Pierce, PLLC James Pollan, Pollan Dobbs PLLC Mary Largent Purvis, Mississippi College School of Law David Rueff, Baker Donelson Ryanne Saucier, Mississippi Public Broadcasting James Scarff, Scarff Law Firm Roy A. Smith, Daniel Coker Horton and Bell Taylor Smith, The Kullman Firm Kevin Stewart, Carmody, Stewart & Mixon Adam Stone, Jones Walker, LLP Alex Taylor, Krebs Farley Frank Trapp, Phelps Dunbar LLP Ronnie Walton, Glover, Young, Hammack, Walton & Simmons, PLLC Trey Watkins, Forman Perry Watkins Krutz & Tardy LLP Robert “Bob” Whitwell, State of Mississippi Shanda Yates, Burns & Associates, PLLC

LAWYER OF YEAR: LAWYER OF YEAR:

Bill Purdy, Bradley Arant Boult Cummings. LLP

Watts Ueltschey, Brunini Grantham

30

Previous Leadership in Law winners are listed by where they worked at the time of their selection.

The Mississippi Business Journal will host Leadership in Law, a reception and awards celebration honoring 40 members of the state’s legal community and the Lawyer of the Year.

Nomination Form

NOMINATION CRITERIA Those displaying Leadership in Law: • are astute, wise, knowledgeable and successful • exemplify the noble tradition of the legal profession • win cases and solve problems with the utmost integrity • inspire and lead others with their skills and character • are role models and mentors • are passionate and aggressive on behalf of clients and the community NOMINATION & SELECTION PROCESS • Nominator’s name will be kept confidential.

• Nominees will be contacted when their names have been submitted for consideration.

• 40honorees and the Lawyer of the Year will be selected by a panel.

• Honorees will be announced in a special section of the November edition of Mississippi Business Journal.

The Mississippi Business Journal will honor the state’s most successful lawyers with our Leadership in Law. The MBJ will honor both legal success and qualities of character that make only a few stand out.

Nominee’s name: Nominee’s position (e.g. prosecutor, in-house counsel, private practitioner): Firm or company name: Address: City, State and ZIP: Phone: E-mail address: Briefly describe what makes your nominee a Leadership in Law:

Nominator’s name:

Phone:

Direct questions to TAMI JONES at (601) 364-1011.

Fax this form to (601) 364-1007 or e-mail events@msbusiness.com or or go to http://msbusiness.com/events/leadership-law-nomination-form/ and submit your nomination

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INSIDE — If Raytheon gets jet

meet manufac

Page 9 contract, Meridian gets assembly plant —

turing needs — Page 3

GOLF www.msbusiness.com

October 28, 2016 • Vol. 38, No. 44 • $1 • 32 pages

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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

2016

Sanderson tourney is run like a business ‘with a heart’

MISSISSIPPI

— Page 8

MISSISSIPPI DELTA

» The Lofts at 517 giving people reasons to come to downtown Greenville {P 2} BANKING

» BancorpSouth net income for third quarter up {P 2} HEALTH CARE

» ER nurse gets patent for product {P 3}

100 THE STATE’S TOP PRIVATELY OWNED COMPANIES

better yield, 16 » FEATURE: Staplcotn benefits from more acreage, in life, casualty insurance, 18 » FEATURE: Southern Farm Bureau a powerhouse 18 » FEATURE: KLLM is growing while investing in Mississippi, State economists lower growth forecast for rest of year

» The complete Mississippi 100 list, 21-25

Cuba opportunities, pitfalls dominate MDA trade summit

Revenue report follows declining direction — Page 10

September 2, 2016 • Vol.

38, No. 36 • $1 •

Orlea INSIDE — Train to New

Lost Rabbit: Fi nding its way

BY JACK WEATHERLY jack.weatherly@msbusiness.com

ECONOMIC DEVEL The Republic of Cuba was depicted OPMENT as a land of opportunity for Mississippi {Section begin s P 11} businesses, though with a heightened » Foreign Trade sense of risk.

Zones allow the s to About 150 people attended busines compete in the on “Doing Business in Cuba Summit”global economy in Warehouse South » Bernie Reed’s Oct. 20 at the mettle lifts Jackson.

Reed’s Metals to new heights Speakers at the Mississippi Development Authority event told of a countryThe struggling to emerge from more than a List {P 14-15} and » Trade half-century of the U.S. embargo Associations communist rule. informaget to attended who Those tion on the Cuban economy, and sociin ety, too, will get an opportunity February to visit the island nation, one in the MDA’s continuing program of trade missions.

And the pitch that was made is that there is potentially a lot of money to be made in the country of 11 million people COLUMN 90 miles from Key West, Fla. President Barack Obama reopened{P 21} and eased the U.S. Embassy in Havana » MABUS : But it was on sale travel restrictions in that nation.

“We are calling on Cuba to unleash the potential of 11 million Cubans by ending unnecessary restrictions on their political, social, and economic activities,” Obama said in a speech on Dec. 17, 2014. “In that spirit, we should not allow U.S. sanctions to add to the burden of Cuban citizens that we seek to

May 27, 2015 • Vol. 38, No.

— Page 4

town center of

the Madison County

development overlook s Ross

DINING

Char restauran t to

TACY RAYBURN

/ MBJ

expand by 50 pe rcent

Sometimes, a business solutio door. n is right out the back The owners of Char restaurant, tality Group, the 4-Top Hospiseized square feet behind the opportunity of leasing 3,000 The expansion, it in Highland Village. which brings the total space under

the Char roof to cial events space. 9,300 square feet, will provid e spe“We look forwar d to hosting parties big and small, and meetings from ing area,” co-own 10 to 100, in this expand ed diner David Conn Char has the said in a release good problem of overflow crowds . , esSee

mean New overtime rulesrke rs, wo r fo y more mone ployers more challenges for em

By TED CARTER m ted.carter@msbusiness.co

MBJ FOCUS Barnett Reservoi r.

Courtesy of LostRabbit.c om

BY JACK WEATH ERLY jack.weatherly@m sbusiness.com

Banking & Finance

{Section begins P 14} with » Banking on the future technology » FinTech revolution fueling changes in traditional banking

nt of Labor’s new rule The U.S. Departme pay threshold that doubled the over-timethe pockets of into puts more money workers but forces busi40,000 Mississippi work arrangements nesses to rethink their supervisors. with managers and the new threshold below paid Managers must be paid overof $47,476 ($913 a week) hours in a work many time regardless of how managerial, or whiteweek they devote to collar, duties.

See

to see while N.O., Gulfport wait Chiquita mulls decision

remains under considera“At this time the matter and no external statement tion internally at Chiquita the email sent by conor information is available,” Barbara H. Hines said. Jonathan Daniels has email on sultant Director nal confirmed in an Gulfport Executive notice from Chiquita Internatio gotten any official in fact consideris not has he importer that this week were unsucTuesday that the banana at the Port of New Orleans. said Efforts to reach him ing whether it will remain rampant in recent weeks, Chiquita.

Speculation has been on, about the matter, rais- cessful.

Orleans port chief executive Gary LaGrange, New return to without previous confirmati the company might 4 one-half ing the possibility that See CHIQUITA, Page which it left two and the Port of Gulfport,

Y

BY JACK WEATHERL ess.com jack.weatherly@msbusin

MABUS COLUMN {P 13} http://msbusines s.com/events/ceo -awards-of-miss issippi/

Siler

OVERTIME, Page 10

MANUFACTURING

CHAR, Page 2

See CUBA, Page 4

{P 4}

22 • $1 • 20 pages

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Cybersecurity experts hunting cyber threats from home in Mississippi The pool in the

a bit of news, Page 3

TECHNOLOGY

Page 4

MBJ FOCUS

ns: a travelogue with

24 pages

» Never on time — the business decisions

perils of

years ago.

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