MBJ_LIL—JAN25-2019

www.msbusiness.com • January 25, 2019

Lawyer of the Year

2018

Tere Richardson Steel

INSIDE: Nominees & Top Ten winners

SPECIAL MAGAZINE EDITION: » INCLUDES HEALTH CARE FOCUS

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

FROM THE EDITOR A member of the Mississippi Press Association www.mspress.org

LEADERS IN LAW

Honoring the top legal professionals in our state is a true honor

www.msbusiness.com

Website: www.msbusiness.com JANUARY 25, 2019 Volume 41, Number 4

ALAN TURNER Publisher alan.turner@msbusiness.com • 364-1021 TAMI JONES Associate Publisher tami.jones@msbusiness.com • 364-1011 ROSS REILY Editor ross.reily@msbusiness.com • 364-1018

www.msbusiness.com

• January 25, 2019

Lawyer of the Year Tere Richardson Steel

2018

T

his issue of the Mississippi Business Journal is dedicated to our Leaders in Law awards program.

And we are truly delighted to be able to recognize and honor Mississippi’s top legal professionals.

This is our ninth annual Leaders in Law event, and I’m pleased to say that the honorees this year represent many of the top professionals in Ross Reily law in the state of Mississippi. These leaders come from large and small firms, solo practitioners, and from the public sector.

The judging process was undertaken by a number of highly respected individuals from the Mississippi legal community.

When the scoring and comments from all judges were assembled and tabulated, we selected the highest rankings for recognition.

Having said all of that, the MBJ’s Leaders in Law is not all you will be seeing in this edition.

We also have a regular Focus of the MBJ, which this week is Healthcare Mississippi.

And then there is the list. One of the things the MBJ is known for is its lists. We print a business list

132 Riverview Drive, Suite E Flowood, MS 39232 Main: (601) 364-1000 Faxes: Advertising (601) 364-1007 E-mails: mbj@msbusiness.com, ads@msbusiness.com, photos@msbusiness.com, research@msbusiness.com, events@msbusiness.com

FRANK BROWN List Researcher frank.brown@msbusiness.com • 364-1022 JACK WEATHERLY Staff Writer jack.weatherly@msbusiness.com • 364-1016 TACY RAYBURN Production Manager tacy.rayburn@msbusiness.com • 364-1019 CHARINA RHODES Circulation Manager charina.rhodes@msbusiness.com • 364-1045

INSIDE: Nominees & Top Ten winners

MARCIA THOMPSON Business Assistant marcia.kelly@msbusiness.com • 364-1044 Subscription Services (601) 364-1000 subscriptions@msbusiness.com

SPECIAL MAGAZINE EDIT ION:

» INCLUDES HEALTH

CARE FOCUS

associated with almost every Focus we print in each edition. This week, that list is the top cardiovascular care centers in Mississippi.

There is also lots going on in the typical business world and we aren’t letting that slip through the cracks.

You are still getting the best business news from the only fulltime, state-wide business publication in Mississippi, This includes, stories, profiles, newsmakers, lists, ribbon cuttings, columns and more.

» Contact Mississippi Business Journal editor Ross Reily at ross. reily@msbusiness.com or (601) 364-1018.

Mississippi Business Journal (USPS 000-222) is published weekly with one annual issue by MSBJ 132 Riverview Drive, Suite E, Flowood, MS 39232. Periodicals postage paid at Jackson, MS. Subscription rates: 1 year $109; 2 years $168; and 3 years $214.

To place orders, temporarily stop service, change your address or inquire about billing: Phone: (601) 364-1000, Fax: (601) 364-1035, Email: charina.rhodes@msbusiness.com, Mail: MS Business Journal Subscription Services, 132 Riverview Drive, Suite E, Flowood, MS 39232 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Mississippi Business Journal, Circulation Manager, 132 Riverview Drive, Suite E, Flowood, MS 39232.

To submit subscription payments: Mail: Mississippi Business Journal Subscriptions Services, 132 Riverview Drive, Suite E, Flowood, MS 39232.

No material in this publication may be reproduced in any form without the written consent. Editorial and advertising material contained in this publication is derived from sources considered to be reliable, but the publication cannot guarantee their accuracy. Nothing contained herein should be construed as a solicitation for the sale or purchase of any securities.

It is the policy of this newspaper to employ people on the basis of their qualifications and with assurance of equal opportunity and treatment regardless of race, color, creed, sex, age, sexual orientation, religion, national origin or handicap.

The Mississippi Business Journal, is an affiliate of Journal Publishing Company (JPC), Inc. Entire contents copyrighted © 2019 by Journal Inc. All rights reserved.

Mississippi Business Journal – 3

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Mississippi Business Journal January 25, 2019 Volume 41, Number 4

2018 LEADERSHIP IN LAW Michael Adelman, Adelman & Steen LLP .......................................................6 Matt Allen, Brunini ....................................................................................... 7 Thomas J. Bellinder, Esq., Bellinder Law Firm ................................................ 7 Walter H. Boone, Balch & Bingham LLP ........................................................8 Gregg A. Caraway, Wells Marble & Hurst, PLLC ..............................................9 Julie E. Chaffin, Maron Marvel .......................................................................9 J. Michael Coleman, Hagwood and Tipton.................................................... 10 Elise Deano, Law Office of Elise Epperson Deano .......................................... 11 Becky Mae Allen Farrell, Law Office of Becky Farrell, PLLC ............................. 11 Patricia C. Gandy, Butler Snow .....................................................................12 Ralph B. Germany, Jr., Bradley Arant ............................................................13 Nick Giallourakis, Forman Watkins & Krutz ...................................................13 John T. Givens, Porter & Malouf, P.A. ...........................................................14 Jennifer G. Hall, Baker Donelson ..................................................................15 Brian A. Hinton, Anderson Crawley and Burke, PLLC .....................................15 LaToya T. Jeter, Brown Bass & Jeter ..............................................................16 Kristina M. Johnson, Jones Walker ...............................................................17 John Martin Lassiter, Burr Forman ................................................................17 Edwin Poteat Lutken, Jr., Wise Carter Child and Caraway P.A........................ 18 Jacob O. Malatesta, Hagwood and Tipton .....................................................19 Alison O’Neal McMinn, Forman Watkins & Krutz ..........................................19

FOCUS ON

LaToya C. Merritt, Phelps Dunbar LLP .........................................................20 Matt Miller, Copeland Cook Taylor & Bush, P.A. ...........................................20 Scott Newton, Baker Donelson .....................................................................21 Tere Richardson Steel, Page Mannino ............................................................ 5 Ellen Patton Robb, Robb Law Offices ............................................................21 M. Craig Robertson, Robertson and Easterling ............................................. 22 Ginger M. Robey, Daniel Coker Horton & Bell, PA ......................................... 22 Martha Bost Stegall, Michell McNutt & Sam ................................................ 23 Matthew Thompson, Thompson Law Firm ................................................... 23 Edward Owens Watson, Jackson State University ......................................... 24 Clarence Webster, III, Bradley Arant ............................................................. 24 Charles R. (Chip) Wilbanks, Jr., Adams and Reese LLP ................................. 25 Ben Wilson, Morgan & Morgan.................................................................... 25

EVENT PHOTOS ..................................................................................26

Health Care

» Mississippi health officials working to improve life expectancy in the state ............................................................... 27 » Workplace wellness programs can reap major dividends for health and productivity .................................................. 27 » ‘Without oxygen for four and a half minutes’ ..........................................................................................................30 LIST » Cardiovascular Care Centers ....................................................................................................................................31

Congratulations to JOHN T. GIVENS on being selected as a 2018 Leader in Law Porter & Malouf P.A.

P.O. Box 12768 • Jackson, MS 39236 601-957-1173 • www.portermalouf.com

4 – Mississippi Business Journal

Congratulations to Thomas Bellinder on being selected as a 2018 Leader In Law From:

Bellinder Law Firm Staff, Family, and Friends

www.msbusiness.com

2018 LAWYER OF THE YEAR

Lawyer of the Year Tere Richardson Steel Page Mannino

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ere Richardson Steel, a member of Page, Mannino, Peresich & McDermott, has practiced law with the firm since 1984. She is originally from Itta Bena.

Steel received her undergraduate degree from Mississippi State University before earning her juris doctorate from the University of Mississippi. She relocated to the Mississippi Gulf Coast upon graduation from law school and acceptance of a federal clerkship for United States District Court Judge Dan M. Russell, Jr. Steel’s practice has primarily focused on governmental liability and labor and employment law.

Her areas of practice include: Employment litigation, Americans with Disabilities Act, Family and Medical Leave Act, Title VII, Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Drafting and reviewing employment manuals and handbooks, EEOC defense, Civil service, Drug testing and Defense of claims for unemployment benefits, among many others.

Steel was also Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for City of Biloxi in 1984-85 and Law Clerk to United States Attorney Northern District of Mississippi from 1981-82.

Away from the office, Steel enjoys spending time with her family.

www.msbusiness.com

MBJ Associate Publisher Tami Jones with 2018 Lawyer of the Year Tere Richardson Steel.

2018 Leadership in Law – 5

NOMINEES

Michael Adelman Adelman & Steen LLP

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ichael Adelman, a partner in Adelman and Steen, received his B.A. from the University of Michigan in 1962 and his J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School in 1967. He was admitted to the Mississippi Bar in 1974. He is also a member of the Michigan Bar. Adelman’s practice focuses on criminal defense, personal injury, employment law and labor law. He also handles administrative law cases, including matters in the areas of education, employment discrimination and public utilities. He has argued numerous criminal and civil cases before the Mississippi Supreme Court and the Mississippi Court of Appeals.

Adelman recently won a landmark victory in the Mississippi Supreme Court in which he opposed the attempt by Mississippi Power Company to increase rates for the construction of the Kemper County IGCC Plant prior to its operation. He also won a recent case in the Forrest County Chancery Court opposing the attempt by Groundworx, Inc. to have the City of Hattiesburg finance Groundworx’s sewer disposal and ground application process.

We Proudly Congratulate

Nick Giallourakis and Alison McMinn on being selected for

2018 Leadership in Law

www.formanwatkins.com

Detroit 6 – 2018 Leadership in Law

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Houston

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Jackson

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New Jersey

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New Orleans www.msbusiness.com

NOMINEES

Matt Allen Brunini

M

att Allen has successfully litigated civil and criminal cases in state and federal courts across the nation. He has represented clients through trials and appeals in matters related to commercial litigation, product liability litigation, mass torts, alleged white collar crime, the redistricting of the Mississippi legislature and the Voting Rights Act. Allen has received numerous recognitions for excellence in the practice of law in multiple practice areas from organization such as Best Lawyers in America, Super Lawyers, Martindale-Hubbell, Benchmark Litigation, The Mississippi Business Journal, the American Society of Legal Advocates, and Portico Magazine.

In November of 2018, Allen advanced to a runoff as a candidate for Hinds County Circuit Court Judge, garnering 46.3 percent of the vote as a first-time political candidate against a long-time state legislator. He is passionate about criminal justice reform and is studying towards a PhD in criminal justice.

Allen is an avid runner and has run in numerous marathons and half-marathons in destinations around the country and even in Canada. He and his wife, Megan, are members of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Cathedral and are proud parents of a daughter, Hartley, and son, Thatcher.

Thomas J. Bellinder, Esq. Bellinder Law Firm

T

homas Jon-William Bellinder is a native of Manhattan, Kansas and Brandon, Mississippi, and graduated from Belhaven College with a B.A. in History in 2003, from Mississippi College with a M.A. in Social Sciences in 2005 and from Florida International University School of Law with a J.D. in 2008. Bellinder worked several years under the mentorship of Dennis C. Sweet, III before founding the Bellinder Law Firm. He specializes in trial work with the focus of his practice being civil insurance litigation, typically handling the claims of injured individuals.

He also is a debt collection and defense specialist, handling cases involving money transactions.

Bellinder maintains associations with over a hundred other lawyers and several law firms in surrounding areas and jurisdictions. Bellinder is a board member of the Jackson Free Clinic. Bellinder is private counsel for two current mayors in Mississippi.

Bellinder’s wife, Lauretha, is a native of Brandon. They were married in 2012 and reside in Brandon. They are the proud parents of one son and a baby girl due in March of 2019.

www.msbusiness.com

2018 Leadership in Law – 7

NOMINEES

TOP TEN

Walter H. Boone Balch & Bingham LLP

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alter Boone has more than 25 years of experience as a trial lawyer in general, commercial, and environmental litigation.

Walter’s experience in trying products liability, environmental, catastrophic personal injury, and business claims has taught him how to identify key issues, target resources and discovery on those issues, seek and force early resolution, deliver cost effective results, and tell the story at trial that needs to be told. Walter’s experience, focused and prudent tactics, and tenacity have resulted in the voluntary dismissals of many matters, judicial dismissals at early stages, favorable settlements, and ultimate victories at trial.

Boone has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America, Mid- South Super Lawyers, 2014 - present and is AV Pre-Eminent rated by Martindale-Hubbell. He has been named Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year by the Mississippi Volunteer Lawyers Project in 2014, honored with The Randy and Altec All Star Awards, Altec Industries, Inc. in 2010 and the Pro Bono Publico Award by the Jackson Young Lawyers Association in 1996.

Bradley congratulates Clarence Webster and Ralph Germany on being named 2018 Leaders in Law

At Bradley, our 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.

bradley.com

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. © 2019

8 – 2018 Leadership in Law

www.msbusiness.com

NOMINEES

TOP TEN

Gregg A. Caraway Wells Marble & Hurst, PLLC

G

regg Caraway has practiced civil litigation since 1989 and has worked on cases in various jurisdictions across the United States. His work focuses on general litigation, insurance litigation, commercial litigation, and wills and estates litigation. He also serves as a mediator in various types of cases.

In addition to his practice, Caraway is active in the community and has served on various civic, youth, and church boards in the region.

His areas of practice include general litigation, insurance litigation, commercial litigation and wills and estates litigation.

Caraway earned his B.A. from the University of Mississippi in 1986 and his juris doctorate from Ole Miss in 1989.

TOP TEN

Julie E. Chaffin Maron Marvel

J

ulie Chaffin has more than 30 years experience handling mass tort, product liability, environmental, and insurance matters as national coordinating, regional, and local counsel.

Chaffin has tried several bench and jury cases to verdict and has an impressive record of summary judgments and directed verdicts. She has developed the defense for a myriad of products, such as sawmill and other heavy equipment, elevators, rope, consumer appliances, recreational vehicles, commercial and industrial solvents and other chemicals and by-products, herbicides.

Chaffin is also experienced in fire cause and origin cases, gas well blowouts and “toxic cloud” personal injury and property damage litigation. As a result of her varied experience, she is adept in document and witness intensive corporate entity and product history investigations, the preparation and defense of “company story” corporate witnesses, and has developed, defended, and cross-examined numerous experts across multiple specialties.

www.msbusiness.com

2018 Leadership in Law – 9

NOMINEES

J. Michael Coleman Hagwood and Tipton

J.

Michael Coleman is a founding shareholder with Hagwood and Tipton and the firm’s HIPAA privacy and compliance officer.

Coleman practices in the firm’s Ridgeland office and devotes a significant portion of his practice to the defense of health care professionals.

Additionally, Coleman has extensive experience in general insurance defense and municipal liability defense. He has advised and represented the insured in cases related to automobile accidents, premises liability, governmental liability and general negligence. Coleman has also served as counsel to municipal entities and their employees in both municipal tort litigation and claims related to alleged 1983 civil rights violations.

He is a member of the firm’s appellate practice group and is regularly involved in briefing and arguing appeals before Mississippi’s Appellate Courts and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth and Sixth Circuit.

Coleman is an avid motorcyclist and mountain biker. He is married to Renee Green Coleman, who is also an avid cyclist. Mike and Renee have two sons, Connor and Dylan.

Phelps Dunbar congratulates LaToya Merritt on being among the 2018 Leadership in Law honorees 4270 I-55 North | Jackson, Mississippi 39211 | 601-352-2300

Baton Rouge Dallas/Forth Worth Gulfport Houston Jackson Mobile New Orleans Raleigh Tampa Tupelo London phelps.com

10 – 2018 Leadership in Law

www.msbusiness.com

NOMINEES

TOP TEN

Elise Deano Law Office of Elise Epperson Deano

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lise Epperson Deano started working as a special education teacher in 1989 at Coahoma County Schools in Clarksdale. In the school system, she realized her love for children and wanted to impact their lives in a positive way. In the classroom, she could control a positive and constructive atmosphere, but when her students went home, some were defenseless against abusive parents. So in 1992, she pursued law at the University of Mississippi.

Working with many law professionals in the state of Mississippi, Deano started her own firm in 1998 which she currently operates in Bay St. Louis.

In 1999, she was a business law professor at William Carey College. In 2011, Deano began a Youth Court Judge Pro Tem in Hancock County. In 2012, she was appointed Youth Court Judge, where she served until the end of 2017. She still serves as Judge Pro Tem for the Stone County Youth Court.

Deano understands both sides of the judge’s bench. She brings an exceptional level of enthusiasm, dedication, and nuanced perspective that makes the firm the holistic solution for legal matters on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Becky Mae Allen Farrell Law Office of Becky Farrell, PLLC

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he Law Office of Becky Farrell was founded in Bay St. Louis by Becky Farrell, who has practiced law on the Mississippi Gulf Coast for 15 years. Her local roots run deep. She is from New Orleans and spent her weekends, summers and holidays at her family’s vacation home in Pearlington where she moved in 1996. She is a mother and grandmother and loves New Orleans and the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

Farrell has been practicing law since 2001, and opened her firm in 2003.

This has proven to be a valuable advantage to firms seeking Farrell for local counsel or co-counsel.

Farrell practices regularly in Mississippi Circuit, Chancery, and County Courts. She is active in the community and in professional organizations, including the Mississippi Bar Association, Hancock County Bar Association, The Trial Lawyers Association, and LHB and Professional Women.

Her philanthropic endeavors include being a member of the Disabled American Veterans Commanders Club, the Lions Club, the Gulf Coast Center for Nonviolence, and the Women’s Resource Center.

www.msbusiness.com

2018 Leadership in Law – 11

NOMINEES

TOP TEN

Patricia C. Gandy Butler Snow

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atricia C. Gandy is Butler Snow’s Pro Bono Counsel based in the Ridgeland office. She is responsible for managing and promoting the participation of lawyers in the firm’s extensive program of providing free legal services to low-income individuals and to nonprofit organizations, and in matters that serve the public interest.

Before joining Butler Snow as the firm’s first full-time pro bono counsel, she served as the founding director of the Mission First Legal Aid Office, established by Mississippi College School of Law and Mission First, Inc. in 2006. The Mission First Legal Aid Office works with more than 300 volunteer attorneys to serve approximately 1,200 Mississippians per year.

From 1999 - 2006 Gandy worked as an attorney in Butler Snow’s litigation department. She completed her undergraduate education and Juris Doctor at Mississippi College.

In addition to the American, Mississippi and the Capital Area Bar Associations, Gandy is a member of the Association of Pro Bono Counsel and the Christian Legal Society. She has served on the MC Law Alumni Association Board of Directors.

DANIEL COKER HORTON & BELL CONGRATULATES GINGER M. ROBEY ON HER RECOGNITION BY LEADERSHIP IN LAW 2018.

With office locations in Gulfport, Jackson and Oxford, Daniel Coker Horton & Bell is strategically positioned to provide legal services throughout Mississippi and five neighboring states.

Three strategically located offices — one more compelling reason to choose DCH&B.

GULFPORT 228-864-8117 • JACKSON 601-969-7607 • OXFORD 662-232-8979 •

WWW.DANIELCOKER.COM

Free Background Information Available Upon Request. © 2019 Daniel Coker Horton & Bell, P.A. All rights reserved.

12 – 2018 Leadership in Law

www.msbusiness.com

NOMINEES

Ralph B. Germany, Jr.

TOP TEN

Bradley Arant

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alph Germany has broad experience with construction issues and disputes. He has successfully handled matters involving the construction of condominiums, highways, commercial buildings and chemical plants. Germany’s work has included contract negotiations, claim negotiations, litigation and arbitration. He works with clients on a daily basis to develop strategies for solving problems that have arisen on on-going construction projects.

Germany has worked with clients on a broad range of construction matters, literally from the beginning of contract negotiations to the end with claim resolution.

Germany has worked with clients in negotiating contracts at the start of construction projects; negotiated with owners, subcontractors and lenders in work-outs on projects that have suffered from funding and payment issues and worked with clients to formulate and negotiate claims that arose during the course of construction.

He earned his juris doctorate from University of Mississippi School of Law in 1990.

Nick Giallourakis Forman Watkins & Krutz

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ith Nick Giallourakis, reputation counts and his word matters. As an attorney, He is driven by the personal investment and partnership he forms with his clients to push through adversity and achieve the best possible outcome. Treating the client’s problems as his problems, Giallourakis offers genuine care and smart, strategic methods that get his clients great results.

Giallourakis is driven also by the unpredictability of law, and works hard to be completely prepared to represent his client in all situations. He is an adaptive individual who offers perspective accompanied by competitive dedication. Above all, when working with him, clients can expect to develop a personal relationship with a trustworthy attorney who is personally invested in them and who will push through the long hours and twists and turns of litigation to achieve the client’s goals.

Giallourakis received his undergraduate degree at Mississippi State University and his juris doctorate at The University of Mississippi.

www.msbusiness.com

2018 Leadership in Law – 13

NOMINEES

John T. Givens Porter & Malouf, P.A.

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ohn T. Givens grew up in the Mississippi Delta, graduating from Cleveland High School in 1995. He graduated Cum Laude in May of 2000 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a minor in Chemistry at the University of Mississippi. Givens initially went to medical school but changed course and earned his juris doctorate at Ole Miss in 2004.

In August of 2005, he started with Porter Malouf, P.A. law firm in Ridgeland.

Givens was recently lead counsel in a two week trial in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania that resulted in a favorable settlement for his client. His firm is also one of the leading firms in the ovarian cancer talcum powder litigation that to date has resulted in more than $5 billion in verdicts.

Porter and Malouf has also provided him the privilege to participate in Law Call which is a local weekly television show allowing the public to call in with legal questions.

When not practicing law, Givens is an avid SCUBA diver, planning trips around the world.

We don’t just practice in this community We’re a part of it Jones Walker LLP congratulates our partner Kristina M. Johnson on being named a 2019 Mississippi Business Journal “Leadership in Law” award recipient. We congratulate Kristina and all of the honorees for their achievements and contributions across the state.

Jeffrey R. Barber Office Head 601.949.4765

190 E Capitol St Suite 800 Jackson, MS 39201

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.

CRAIG ROBERTSON founder and managing partner of robertson easterling divorce and family law

LEADER in LAW Congratulations on being selected as a Leader in Law by the mississippi business journal.

For years, your work has shown your dedication to your craft.

You are not only a Leader in Law, but a leader in all things you do.

Your friends, The Ferguson Family

joneswalker.com

14 – 2018 Leadership in Law

www.msbusiness.com

NOMINEES

Jennifer G. Hall Baker Donelson

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shareholder licensed in both Mississippi and Tennessee, Jennifer Hall assists clients in areas including single plaintiff and multi-plaintiff discrimination defense, employee classification issues, retaliation defense, state employment law issues, and wage and hour matters. Hall frequently represents employers before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Department of Labor and Mississippi Department of Employment Security, and in federal and state courts.

Hall coordinates the Jackson office’s Third Thursday Labor & Employment Breakfast Briefing series and she is a frequent speaker and author on employment issues. She takes an active role in the Mississippi Bar Association, serving on its Women in the Profession Committee and its Labor and Employment Section Executive Committee, as well has having served as president of the Young Lawyers Division in 2011– 2012. Inside the Firm, Hall serves on the Pro Bono and Recruiting Committees and has been a recipient of the Jackson office’s pro bono award.

TOP TEN

Brian A. Hinton Anderson Crawley and Burke, PLLC

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rian Hinton, a Member of ACB, is a native of Columbus, MS and has been practicing law since 1998. His practice primarily focuses on the representation of clients in a wide range of tort claims that are covered by insurance coverages.

A graduate of the University of Mississippi Law School in 1998, Hinton provides ACB a wealth of trial and commercial arbitration experience in a wide range of actions including construction liability claims, commercial trucking accidents, products liability, medical malpractice, State Tort Claims, premises liability, Insurance bad faith, automobile accident claims, uninsured motorists claims, and mass tort claims. In addition to his litigation and trial practice, Hinton is actively involved with the firm’s governmental relations section, representing clients before all levels of Municipal, County and State Government.

Hinton is a member of DRI as well as the Claims and Litigation Management Alliance and actively participates on numerous committees with CLM, including the Land Transportation Committee, Construction Defect and Construction Site Accidents Committee.

www.msbusiness.com

2018 Leadership in Law – 15

NOMINEES

LaToya T. Jeter Brown Bass & Jeter

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aToya Jeter represents the interests of her clients with passion and vigor, routinely appearing before both state and federal courts throughout the state. Her ability to process and solve complex legal issues, and experience in effectively educating and counseling clients, add value to any situation.

Prior to co-founding Brown Bass & Jeter, PLLC, Jeter practiced at two large metro-area law firms, and prior to that, she clerked with the Honorable James Graves on the Mississippi Supreme Court.

Jeter is a native of Jackson and graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a B.A. in Political Science. She received her law degree from the University of Mississippi School of Law. Jeter is a member of the Mississippi Bar Association, Magnolia Bar Association, Magnolia Bar Foundation, Mississippi Defense Lawyers’ Association, Defense Research Institute, the Capital Area Bar Association, and the Mississippi Women Lawyers’ Association. She is a past member of the Charles Inn of Court.

Jeter is married to David Jeter. They have two children, Gabriela and David Jeter, Jr.

Congratulations to Matt Miller on being chosen as a 2018 Leader in Law

Copeland, Cook, Taylor & Bush Ridgeland, Gulf Coast & Hattiesburg

16 – 2018 Leadership in Law

www.msbusiness.com

NOMINEES

TOP TEN

Kristina M. Johnson Jones Walker LLP

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ristina Johnson is a partner in the Litigation Practice Group. She focuses her practice on bankruptcy and creditors’ rights, workouts, receiverships, commercial litigation, and collection matters.

Johnson regularly handles complex commercial bankruptcy litigation in Chapters 11, 7, 9, and 12, and has handled a number of lender class-action adversary proceedings in Chapter 13. Many of her cases involve parallel criminal proceedings.

Johnson has represented secured and unsecured creditors in commercial litigation, commercial bankruptcies and receiverships; buyers of assets in bankruptcy sales; trustees; and unsecured creditors’ committees.

Johnson is active in the community, is a sustaining member of the Junior League and loves traveling with her family, especially to foreign countries to open their eyes to the world and give her kids perspective. Johnson also enjoys gardening, decorating, art, compiling my music collection, hosting friends and family for gatherings, college football and tailgating, and just relaxing with her family.

John Martin Lassiter Burr Forman

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ohn Lassiter is a partner in Burr Forman’s Jackson office with extensive litigation experience focused on securing and maintaining client resources. His primary experience is in construction litigation for high-end commercial and industrial owners and general contractors. He also defends banks and other major financial corporations, insurance companies, railroad companies and retailers in courts throughout the region.

In addition to his claims experience, Lassiter also has extensive litigation experience in the state and federal courts of Mississippi in handling corporate disputes for industrial owners, contractors, engineers, banks and other leading corporations throughout the Southeastern Region. His most recent trial concluded with a $1.26 million verdict for a minority shareholder who was frozen out of his business by his own partners.

Lassiter earned his J.D from the Mississippi College School of Law where he served as Projects Editor of the Mississippi College Law Review. Lassiter volunteers in the community by coaching youth soccer and baseball, depending on the season.

www.msbusiness.com

2018 Leadership in Law – 17

NOMINEES

Edwin Poteat Lutken, Jr. Wise Carter Child and Caraway, P.A.

E.

Poteat Lutken, Jr. or Po has been an associate lawyer of the Wise Carter Jackson office since 2014. He obtained his B.A., magna cum laude, from the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College at the University of Mississippi in 2010, obtained his M.A. from the University of Mississippi in 2011, and received his J.D. from Washington and Lee University School of Law in 2014.

Lutken routinely assists a utility client of the firm with contract development and negotiation from both the supply chain procurement and seller perspectives. Lutken has recently developed new forms of engineering, procurement and construction contracts and bidding documents and has assisted the client in negotiating dozens of these EPC project contracts over the last two years for projects in Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas and Texas.

Lutken was recently recognized by Jackson Downtown Partners being named to its advisory board.

GOOD NEWS IS WORTH REPEATING!

Congratulates

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18 – 2018 Leadership in Law

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NOMINEES

Jacob O. Malatesta Hagwood and Tipton

J

acob O. Malatesta is an attorney and shareholder with Hagwood and Tipton and practices from the Ridgeland and Greenville offices. Malatesta is a native of the Mississippi Delta where he began his legal career practicing in Clarksdale, then Greenville, and settling with his family in Jackson.

Malatesta has successfully litigated medical malpractice claims against both hospitals and individual physicians, civil rights claims against governmental entities and their contractors, general liability claims. His appellate practice includes numerous victories based on both procedural and substantive law.

After obtaining an undergraduate degree in Spanish and English at the University of Mississippi, Malatesta graduated cum laude from the University of Mississippi Law School. While in law school, Jacob was a member of Phi Delta Phi. He was selected by his peers as a member of the Moot Court Board.

Malatesta lives in Jackson with his wife, Christy, their sons, Peter and Andrew, and their dog, Yazoo. Malatesta is a member of St. Richard’s Catholic Church. In his free time, he enjoys hunting and fishing.

Alison O’Neal McMinn Forman Watkins & Krutz

A

lison McMinn is a partner at the law firm of Forman Watkins & Krutz, where she serves as chair of the firm’s Pro Bono Committee. She practices in the area of mass tort defense and general litigation and practices and has presented oral argument before both the Mississippi Court of Appeals and the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.

McMinn has five reported cases where she served as trial counsel. Prior to joining Forman Watkins, McMinn was a Special Assistant Attorney General at the Mississippi Attorney General’s office.

McMinn is involved in a number of community service organizations.

She previously served on the Central Mississippi MSU Alumni Board, Mississippi Children’s Home Auxiliary, and is also a graduate of Leadership Greater Jackson. McMinn is involved in international mission work and in 2011 served with The Hard Places Community, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. She is also very active in the Junior League of Jackson.

McMinn and her husband, Rod, are currently the foster parents of sibling set, ages 8, 7, and 3. In her free time, she can be found traveling, participating in book clubs, and spending time with friends and family.

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2018 Leadership in Law – 19

NOMINEES

LaToya C. Merritt Phelps Dunbar LLP

L

aToya Merritt practices in the area of labor and employment with a focus on Civil Rights and Title VII, as well as the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Fair Labor Standards Act. She has assisted public and private entities throughout the state in matters involving race, sex, sexual/workplace harassment, discrimination, retaliation claims, reasonable accommodations, leaves of absence and wage and hour.

At the administrative level, Merritt has represented employers who are faced with charges filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the U.S. Department of Labor and the National Labor Relations Board.

An important part of Merritt’s practice involves training, planning and employment advice. She also provides extensive training to clients regarding managing diverse workforces and handling sexual harassment investigations. Merritt conducts diversity training and educational programs for numerous companies throughout the region. She has trained hundreds of managers on employment law issues.

Matt Miller Copeland, Cook, Taylor & Bush, P.A.

TOP TEN

M

att Miller is a shareholder at Copeland, Cook, Taylor & Bush, P.A., and has been in charge of its Hattiesburg office since its inception in 2008. During his 20 year career, he has handled hundreds of litigation matters for clients throughout Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana, across a broad spectrum of issues, including commercial/contract litigation, medical malpractice, personal/commercial automotive liability, premises liability, construction, employment, issues affecting educational institutions, and appellate work at both the State and Federal levels. Miller has also served on CCTB’s Management and Compensation Committees.

Miller has also been involved in numerous leadership and non-profit organizations throughout Mississippi and in the Pine Belt, including serving on the Mississippi Bar Association’s Litigation Section Executive Committee (2012-present, Chairman, 2017-2018), the Hattiesburg Youth Soccer Association’s Board of Directors (2014-present), Leadership Pine Belt Steering Committee (2012-present, and co-Chair 2017, 2018), Hattiesburg Area Habitat for Humanity Board of Directors (2010-2014, Board President, 2014). He also had the privilege of being part of Leadership Mississippi’s Class of 2018 and Leadership Pine Belt’s Class of 2010. Miller has been married to Gaylyn (Gill) for over 20 years, and they have three children, Jillian, Ethan and Cooper.

20 – 2018 Leadership in Law

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NOMINEES

TOP TEN

Scott Newton Baker Donelson

J.

Scott Newton, a shareholder in the Firm’s Jackson and Washington, D.C. offices, has more than 25 years of experience investigating, prosecuting or defending federal criminal and civil allegations and violations as a Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, an Assistant United States Attorney and private practice attorney.

Newton concentrates his practice on government investigations and litigation, primarily focusing on health care fraud, white collar crime, internal corporate investigations, and working as an Independent Review Organization.

Among his many achievements and honors, Newton was the 2003 Republican nominee for Mississippi Attorney General. He also has been the special prosecutor pro tempore for the Hinds County District Attorney’s Office from 2008 until present. He was appointed and then reappointed to the Judicial Advisory Study Committee by Mississippi Supreme Court Chief Justice William L. Waller, Jr. Newton was also special counsel to the Governor’s Commission for Recovery, Rebuilding, and Renewal Following Hurricane Katrina as appointed by Gov. Haley Barbour in 2005.

Newton received his undergraduate degree from the University of Mississippi in 1987 and earned his juris doctor from Ole Miss in 1990.

Ellen Patton Robb Robb Law Offices

E

llen Robb is a solo practitioner at Robb Law Offices, a boutique law firm specializing in insurance special investigation including coverage and claim needs such as conducting examinations under oath. Before branching out on her own, Robb worked in the General Litigation Practice Group at a large Mississippi firm. There, she focused on civil defense for both first and third party insurance claims with an emphasis on special investigation as well as fire claims and suspected arson. Robb was also heavily involved in Hurricane Katrina bad faith litigation where she was the lead attorney in a multitude of mediations.

Prior to practicing at the firm, Robb served as a law clerk for Honorable Leslie Southwick at the Mississippi Court of Appeals. She was named a Rising Star in Super Lawyers for the years 2009 & 2011. Robb graduated from Ole Miss Law School with honors and was a member of the Mississippi Law Journal. Prior to law school, Robb received her MBA from the University of Memphis and – a native Alabamian – Robb obtained her undergraduate degree from Auburn University.

Robb lives in Madison County with her toddler daughter, husband, dog, and cat and attends St. Joseph Catholic Church.

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2018 Leadership in Law – 21

NOMINEES

M. Craig Robertson Robertson and Easterling

C

raig Robertson is the founder and managing partner of Robertson and Easterling.

Robertson is a innovative problem solver and an energetic mediator. Robertson gets his competitive fix in the courtroom, where he has excelled since becoming a member of the bar after graduating from Ole Miss in 1999.

Super Lawyers magazine named him a Rising Star from 2008-2015, and he is board certified in family law by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. In 2011, Robertson was chosen by the Mississippi Business Journal as a Top 40 Under 40. Robertson has also been selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America and is the founder of a non-profit adoption agency, 200 Million Flowers. In 2016, he was appointed by the Mississippi Supreme Court to serve on the Mississippi Commission on Children’s Justice, and he was instrumental in operationalizing Rescue 100, a faith based initiative to train foster parents in an expedited manner

Ginger M. Robey Daniel Coker Horton & Bell, PA

G

inger Robey is a shareholder in the Jackson office and limits her practice to Workers’ Compensation. When asked about her practice she says, “Hard work, honesty and integrity – this is what I owe to my clients, my opponents and the Courts. I have been practicing since 2004, and I believe these fundamentals have led to a successful career, well-represented clients and respect from my colleagues. These same values are the cornerstone that has made Daniel Coker Horton & Bell a premier law firm in our State.”

Robey says her most important personal accomplishment is finding a work-life balance.

Robey says, “I have been able to find that work-life balance, without feeling that I am short-changing my family or my clients. I hope to be a great example for other female attorneys who choose to continue their legal careers while raising children. It can be done.”

S Robey he received her undergraduate from Delta State University in 2001 and earned her JD at The University of Mississippi Law School in 2004. Robey also enjoys running and spending time outdoors.

22 – 2018 Leadership in Law

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NOMINEES

Martha Bost Stegall Michell McNutt & Sam

M

artha Stegall performs real estate work for local and state governments, and foreclosure, eviction and collection work for banks and other corporate clients. Stegall is also involved in civil defense work, including cases involving breach of contract and personal injury litigation.

Stegall received a B.S. in business administration in 1985 from Mississippi State University and earned ear JD from the University of Mississippi Law School in 1988 where she was a member of the Law Journal.

Stegall is a member of the American Bar Association, The Mississippi Bar, Mississippi Defense Lawyer’s Association and Mississippi Women Lawyer’s Association.

Stegall worked as a law clerk for Mississippi Supreme Court Justice Armis E. Hawkins in 1988-89 She is a past board member for the Northeast Mississippi Habitat for Humanity and is a member of the Harrisburg Baptist Church.

Matthew Thompson Thompson Law Firm

M

atthew Thompson founded Thompson Law Firm, emphasizing Family Law in Mississippi.

Thompson Law Firm is a statewide practice, handling cases in Chancery and Youth Courts throughout Mississippi. Thompson has more than 13 years of litigation experience and has handled hundreds of cases, including trials, hearings, depositions, mediations and appeals.

Thompson is the author of “Mississippi Divorce, Alimony and Child Custody with Forms.” Thompson serves as an Adjunct Professor of Law at Mississippi College School of Law, teaching Domestic Relations to second and third year law students. Matthew is the immediate past Chairman of the Professional Responsibility Committee and immediate past Chair of Family Law Section, both with the Mississippi Bar Association.

Thompson graduated from Mississippi College School of Law, earning his J.D. in 2005. He earned his undergraduate degree from Mississippi State University with a B.A. in history.

Raised in Greenwood and Madison, Thompson currently resides in Madison with his wife and two children.

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2018 Leadership in Law – 23

NOMINEES

Edward Owens Watson Jackson State University

E

dward O. Watson serves as the General Counsel for Jackson State University. Watson, who joined the University as the Associate General Counsel in 2014, graduated from Tougaloo College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and earned his Juris Doctor degree from Mississippi College School of Law. Watson is licensed to practice law in all federal and state courts in the State of Mississippi. Prior to joining Jackson State University’s Division of General Counsel his legal practice included, but was not limited to litigation and consultation in the areas of municipal law, employment law including.

Watson has been selected as a Rising Star by Super Lawyers Top Attorneys in Mississippi for the past three consecutive years. For several years prior to joining the Division of General Counsel, Watson was a founding member of the firm Alexander & Watson, P.A. Additionally, for several years he served as an Assistant Hinds County Attorney and the Prosecutor and Town Attorney for the Town of Terry.

Clarence Webster, III Bradley Arant

C

larence Webster is a 2002 graduate of the University of Mississippi. After Ole Miss, he attended Yale Law School, at which he served as a member of the Yale Law Journal. Webster also served as the National Attorney General for the National Black Law Students Association.

After Yale, in 2005, he returned to Jackson to clerk for then-Chief Judge Henry T. Wingate, United States District Court Judge. Following his clerkship, Webster joined the Jackson office of Bradley Arant. In 2012, he joined Forman Perry Watkins Krutz and Tardy. Webster returned to Bradley Arant in December 2014.

Webster is actively involved in the Jackson community, having served as the Chair of the I.S. Sanders YMCA Board, Central Mississippi Ole Miss Alumni Association Executive Board and the Phoenix Club of Jackson, among many others.

Webster is married to Keishunna Randall Webster, an attorney at Butler Snow. They have one daughter, Ilana Reed Webster. In his spare time, Webster enjoys Ole Miss sports, all things related to Game of Thrones, and occasionally playing golf and tennis poorly.

24 – 2018 Leadership in Law

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NOMINEES

Charles R. (Chip) Wilbanks, Jr. Adams and Reese LLP

C

harles R. Wilbanks, Jr. is a trial lawyer with more than 30 years of experience practicing law in Mississippi and across the United States. He has a national practice advising clients in products liability litigation, including toxic torts, silica, asbestos, medical device and pharmaceutical litigation. Wilbanks has served as lead trial counsel in courts across the country. He also represents clients in landlord/tenant, church law and litigation, insurance defense, real estate and property litigation and construction litigation.

Wilbanks has served as the President of the Board of Trustees of the Clinton Public School District. He has served on the Board for Brillo Soccer Ministry, on the Board of National Leigh’s Disease Foundation, as President of the Board of the Mississippi Children’s Legal Clinic, on the Mississippi College School of Business Administration Alumni Advisory Board and on the Mississippi College Child Advocacy Program Advisory Board.

Ben Wilson Morgan & Morgan

B

en Wilson is a partner in the Morgan & Morgan office located in Jackson. He earned his B.B.A. and his M.B.A. at Millsaps College prior to attending Mississippi College School of Law, where he earned his J.D. Wilson is lead counsel for Morgan and Morgan’s National Fire Litigation Group. He and his team represent the individuals and families injured or killed as a result of fires and explosions. He also litigates cases against manufacturers of defective fire suppression or detection devices around the country. Wilson was recently selected to the Plaintiffs Steering Committee for the Northern California Wildfire litigation against Pacific Gas and Electric in San Francisco, California.

Wilson has a Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating.

Wilson has also been recognized as a Top 40 Under 40 lawyer by the National Trial Lawyers, and he received the Lifetime Achievement award from America’s Top 100 Attorneys.

He and his wife Sarah Beth Wilson live in Madison, Mississippi and have two children, Roman and Ava.

www.msbusiness.com

2018 Leadership in Law – 25

EVENT PHOTOS

Images by Stegall Imagery

26 – 2018 Leadership in Law

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FOCUS ON HEALTH CARE

Mississippi health officials working to improve life expectancy in the state

By BECKY GILLETTE

A

recent AP analysis found that Mississippi had the lowest average life expectancy in the U.S. People in Mississippi live on average 74.9 years. Hawaii has the high life expectancy at 82 years. The U.S. average in 2017 was 78.6 years.

Many of the states with the lowest life expectancies are rural, which might impact the ability of residents to access healthcare. But Mississippi State Health Officer Dr. Thomas E. Dobbs said one of the things that many people don’t realize is that healthcare and access to healthcare only contributes about 10 to 20 percent of a Dobbs community’s health.

“There is a lot else that goes into it, external factors like poverty, access to healthy food, access to exercise capacity and also other things like smoking that are immensely impactful to our health and longevity,” Dobbs said. “That translates into workforce performance, for sure. It is important to remember that.”

The leading causes of death are heart disease, cancer and stroke. Those are conditions that are best addressed by being proactive rather than waiting until someone ends up in the emergency room.

People primarily get healthcare when they are sick. While that is worthwhile, Dobbs said what makes someone is healthy not if you have seen a doctor, but if you don’t need a doctor.

Mississippi has a high rate of smoking. About 20 percent of people in Mississippi smoke, and another 50 percent are exposed to secondhand smoke. One of the simplest and most important things that could improve life expectancy in Mississippi would be to combat tobacco use.

“The percent of people who die from tobacco abuse is astronomically high,” Dobbs said. “We have been fortunate in Mississippi for a lot of communities to

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Workplace wellness programs can reap major dividends for health and productivity

By BECKY GILLETTE

The Mississippi Department of Health (MDH) says promoting worksite wellness can make employees healthier, happier and more productive.

Liz Sharlot, director of communications for the MDH, said the state has some challenges because lower incomes are linked the more illness and shorter lives. But she said the MDH has numerous programs to try to close the gap. That benefits individuals, as well as businesses.

“A lot of what we do is targeted to businesses because the healthier a population is, the more viable the workforce is and that workforce is more attractive to potential businesses wanting to locate in the state,” Sharlot Sharlot said.

There is a state employee worksite wellness program, and MDH encourages private businesses to make their worksite a healthier place. The primary purpose of workplace interventions is to encourage employee education and physical activity. Regular physical activity is one of the most effective disease prevention behaviors. Physical activity programs can range from simple to extensive, with varying implementation costs.

MDH says some of the benefits of physical activity include: *Reduced feelings of depression *Improved stamina and strength *Reduced obesity, particularly when combined with diet *Reduced risks of cardiovascular disease (i.e., high blood pressure and cholesterol, stroke, and type 2 diabetes) “If you incorporate physical activity breaks into your meetings, you will find that participants have increased energy, attention span and participation, and less fatigue,” she said.

See WELLNESS, Page 28

enact smoke free ordinances. We have actually in the past several years won first place rankings in the country in the number of smoke free cities we have.

In Starkville and Hattiesburg, there are well-documented studies that showed a marketed and immediate decrease in heart attacks because people were not exposed to the noxious air from tobacco smoke. It is really kind of stunning. It isn’t because people quit smoking, but because the air was safer for people who

are not smokers.”

The Mississippi Department of Health supports programs to combat tobacco abuse and subsequent illnesses and deaths.

“We support tobacco cessation initiatives and services to help individuals,” Dobbs said.

Free counseling and other tools are available by calling 1-800-QUITNOW See IMPROVE, Page 28

Mississippi Business Journal – 27

HEALTH CARE

IMPROVE

WELLNESS Continued from, Page 27

Continued from, Page 27

(1-800-784-8669).

Another important initiative is preventative high blood pressure screenings, particularly for high risk communities such as African American males.

In addition to working with churches for health screenings, another innovative effort known as the Brothers Program taught barbers how to take blood pressure.

“We still do that,” Dobbs said. “The barbers refer them on if their customer has high blood pressure.

High blood pressure is a pretty good indicator of other issues that could happen.”

Obesity is also a major challenge. Mississippi had the second highest obesity rate in the country in 2017 at 37.3 percent. Obesity is linked to type 2 diabetes, heart attacks, stroke and cancer.

“We have a lot of things going on looking to expand initiatives to help make people in Mississippi healthier,” Dobbs said. “We have strong support from the Board of Health and Governor’s office to do innovative approaches to obesity and expand on current successful activity. There will be more to come.

We have community health teams throughout the state looking at access to healthy foods, smoke free communities, and access to health exercise activities often in partnership with local political leaders like mayors and mayoral health councils.”

Schools in the state are also involved in teaching children about the importance of exercise and healthy eating.

“Schools have been very active,” Dobbs said. “At the health department, we have activity guidelines and make sure they are maintained for child care centers helping children get off to a good start with healthy activities and healthy food.”

Dobbs said the state is also undertaking efforts to encourage women to breastfeed. He said it is hard to overstate the importance of breast feeding; children will be healthier and less likely to be overweight.

The state is working to improve health and longevity in the state.

“We are moving forward addressing high value health targets to contribute to our state health ranking,” Dobbs said. “We are constructing a state health plan. We are formulating a strategy. We are working aggressively and helping people be more active and have screenings done for colon and breast cancer.

We have to the tools to improve on that.

“The HPV cervical cancer and a head and neck squamous cancer are caused by HPV. There is a fantastic anti-cancer vaccine to prevent those cancers.

Every young adult needs it. And then, certainly, we want to continue having good immunization rates so people don’t become ill or die from vaccine preventable illnesses. We have for several years received national awards for high immunization rates. We want to keep that going.”

“Taking a few minutes to move around can save much time in lost productivity.”

Elements of a worksite wellness program listed at the MDH website, www. healthyms.com, can include the following: *Create a Stairwell Campaign. Encouraging employees to choose the stairs instead of the elevator is a quick way for people to add physical activity to their day. Make sure the stairwells are well maintained and safe, with no broken steps, handrails, or tripping hazards. The CDC Stairwell to Better Health initiative addresses topics such as stairwell appearance, signage, and safety.

Measuring flights of stairs creates simple staff challenges and competitions. For example, groups can set goals such as “climbing the Empire State Building” or convert steps to miles and walk. *Walk and Talk Meetings. Conduct meetings while walking around the building, field, or campus. This will provide workers with a break from stationary desks and repetitive movements.

Set enough time for the meeting so that people can prepare for walking. Bring a notepad to jot down notes from the meeting, if necessary. Let people know in advance so they can bring a water bottle or coat and wear appropriate shoes. *Standing or sitting for long periods of time can take a toll on your muscles. To prevent or reduce stiffness and pain, try simple exercises and stretches from the National Institutes of Health throughout the day. Employers should encourage employees to take frequent stretch breaks and lead group stretch routines. Stretch breaks should also occur before and during meetings.

Ways to address good nutrition include considering hosting on onsite farmer’s market to introduce employees (and customers) to healthy eating. Local farmers provide fresh vegetables and products, and you provide the facilities – indoors or out. For information about hosting a farmers’ market, contact the

28 – Mississippi Business Journal

Office of Preventive Health at 601206-1559.

Businesses can decide what foods are in their onsite vending machines.

Creating healthy vending policies or initiatives emphasizes that an employer is making the health of the workforce a priority. Many groups, including food vendor specialist groups, have put out models and sets of nutrition standards.

Some guidelines are stricter and stronger than others in promoting healthy food. Businesses should choose a standard that is evidence-based as well as realistic. For more information contact the MSDH Nutrition Services at 601576-7820 or the Office of Preventive Health at 601-206-1559. Please visit the resources section for additional toolkits and nutrition templates.

Employers, community groups and faith communities can make it easier for people to make healthy food choices by providing healthy food at meetings and other events they sponsor.

According to the Maine Cardiovascular Health Program, more than 45 percent of money spent on food goes to foods eaten away from home. These foods are higher in fat, sodium, and calories and are lower in fiber and calcium.

Foods eaten away from home have become a much larger part of Americans’ lives. This has a major impact on the quality of the American diet and contributes to the obesity epidemic. Employers can support healthy eating behaviors by selecting caterers who serve healthy food options or by implementing a healthy catering policy.

Another way businesses can encourage a healthier workforce is to offer tobacco cessation programs in the workplace. The two major purposes of tobacco cessation programs in the workplace are encouraging tobacco users to quit, and reducing employees’ exposure to second-hand smoke. Establishing tobacco-free workplace policies and decreasing the numbers of employees who model tobacco use will reduce tobacco use initiation among employees and, in addition, may influence tobacco use in employees’ families.

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HEALTH CARE

‘Without oxygen for four and a half minutes’ Therapy helps police officer return to the force

By CAREY MILLER Health and Research News Service

P

olice officers go to work every day knowing that anything can happen. Just ask Bryam’s Sgt. Scott Lawrence.

“In August of 2016, I was involved in a police pursuit that ended in a crash and a fight with an armed robbery suspect,” he said.

“During the fight, my neck got injured.”

But it would be a brain injury that put Lawrence in inpatient therapy at Methodist Rehabilitation Center, beginning a year-long road to recovery.

It happened after Lawrence elected for surgery to fix a herniated disc in his neck.

“The next morning, I woke up and my neck was extremely swollen,” Lawrence said. “I was having a hard time breathing and swallowing. My wife got nervous and called an ambulance.”

In the emergency room, doctors tried every way they knew to open up his blocked airway.

“The doctors estimated that I had gone without oxygen for four and a half minutes,” Lawrence said.

Though he was finally stabilized, the damage had been done: Lawrence suffered an brain injury from lack of oxygen during the ordeal.

He then spent three weeks in the ICU in a coma. When he awoke, doctors found he had also developed myoclonus, a neurologic condition that causes involuntary twitching or jerking. And he had lost all memory of the past year.

“I was also unable to walk and had little function of my hand movements, as well as severe vertigo,” Lawrence said. “At that point, I was basically told I was never going to be able to come back to work as a police officer.”

It was then Lawrence transferred to MRC for inpatient therapy.

“There, I received some of the best one-on-one physical therapy that I have ever received in my life,” Lawrence said. “They continued to keep my body moving and to keep me motivated.”

MRC’s outpatient therapy clinic in Ridgeland is home to Quest, a comprehensive outpatient program for people with brain or spinal injuries who wish to make a successful return to work, school or home life. There, physical therapist Patricia Oyarce oversaw Lawrence’s care, with the goal of getting him back to work.

“The first time I walked in for my evaluation, it was all hands on deck,” Lawrence said. “It was like she knew me and knew what I needed and had known me all my life. They made a plan for how

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30 – Mississippi Business Journal

they were going to get me back right. They told me I could go as far as I wanted or as little as I wanted, depending on how much effort I wanted to put into it. So I decided to give it 100 percent.”

Oyarce knew that his myclonus had to be addressed before anything else.

“He came to us using a wheelchair, and his myclonus was more than I had ever seen, at least Special to the MBJ at the outpatient level,” Oyarce said. “Getting his Scott Lawrence, at left, displays his certificate movements under control of graduation from MRC’s Quest program, with was the main thing when Methodist Outpatient Therapy physical therapist we started our therapy.

Not just for therapeutic Patricia Oyarce at his side. reasons, but also for his safety during therapy.”

Oyarce says she began by using electrical stimulation to help keep his myoclonus under control during therapy sessions. He rode a special exercise cycle called a FES (functional electrical stimulation) bike that provides electrical stimulation to the nerves. He also wore a Bioness L300 Plus, a wearable device that uses low level electrical stimulation to help activate weakened nerves that control muscles in the leg. She says he also benefited greatly from aquatic therapy in the clinic’s on-site pool.

“Being in the water allowed him to do many more exercises without needing as much assistance to maintain his balance and guarantee his safety,” Oyarce said.

One of Lawrence’s biggest milestones was when he no longer needed to use a wheelchair. Then Oyarce put him to work using the clinic’s Walker View treadmill, which provides real-time feedback on a user’s gait to help correct any deficiencies. As his walking improved, she moved him to running on the clinic’s AlterG treadmill, which offloads a user’s weight using pressurized air, allowing for lower impact workouts.

To be cleared to return to work, Lawrence would have to pass tests in shooting, driving and physical ability, much like a new recruit.

Occupational therapist Allison Harris helped him complete MRC’s driving rehabilitation program to be cleared to drive again. And he worked with Richeson to complete the other necessary steps to get cleared to work.

“I had no intentions of retiring,” Lawrence said. “I told her that whatever I needed to do to get back to work I would do. On the weekends I would be doing exercises at home.”

In August, Lawrence graduated from the Quest program and returned to work with the Byram Police Department.

“I was a senior patrol sergeant with 25 years of service before I got hurt,” Lawrence said. “I returned back to work at full, modified duty.

I qualified to use my firearm, to drive again, and basically to function as a full-time police officer.

“But after speaking with my family and considering the trauma my injury had put them through, I opted to take an administrative position in the department. I now handle training and state accreditation for the Byram police department.”

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HEALTH CARE CARDIOVASCULAR CARE CENTERS

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www.msbusiness.com

Mississippi Business Journal â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 31

Congratulations to

Tere Richardson Steel on being honored as

2018 Top Leader in Law Page, Mannino, Peresich & McDermott, P.L.L.C. Attorneys at Law

Lyle M. Page (1932 - 2011) Ronald G. Peresich*** Stephen G. Peresich Michael B. McDermott Tere Richardson Steel Michael E. Whitehead Henry N. Dick, III W. Mark Edwards

Les W. Smith Ron Peresich, Jr. Mary W. Van Slyke** Cowles E. Symmes Randi Peresich Mueller**** Nathan L. Prescott*

Biloxi 759 Howard Avenue Post OfďŹ ce Drawer 289 Biloxi, MS 39533 Telephone: (228) 374-2100 Facsimile: (228) 432-5539

Johanna M. McMullan* Amanda M. Beard Lauren Reeder McCrory Jennifer M. Young* Michael B. McDermott, Jr.

Jackson 460 Briarwood Drive, Suite 415 P.O. Box 16450 Jackson, MS 39236-6450 Telephone: (601) 896-0114 Facsimile: (601) 896-0145

*Also admitted in Louisiana ** Also admitted in Tennessee *** Also admitted in Arkansas & Georgia **** Also admitted in Alabama, Arkansas, & Georgia