Betty Toon Collins

Chris defends pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers in “bet the company” mass tort litigations. With extensive experience in managing large-scale litigation, Chris brings to the table an eye for streamlining workflows, improving efficiencies, and implementing cost-reduction measures. His work with discovery teams and vendors, in particular, has been recognized by clients and colleagues alike, making him a trusted advisor and leader in the legal community. The Legal 500 U...

Barry Cannada focuses his practice on mergers and acquisitions, complex business transactions and finance and restructuring. He has extensive experience in various transactional advisory services, capital formation, joint ventures, private placements, financings (including distressed financings). He formerly served as the Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel overseeing all the administrative functions for a client earning approximately $3 billion in revenues and employing approxim...

Alyson serves as Practice Group Leader for our Pharmaceutical, Medical Device and Healthcare Group. Frequently called upon to assemble teams and manage both coordinated proceedings and individual plaintiff cases, she represents pharmaceutical and medical device companies in product liability litigation across the country. “Alyson is a phenomenal case manager and a strong litigator.” Chambers USA, which ranked Alyson for nationwide Product Liability & Mass Torts (2025). The Leg...

Brian B. Hannula is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Brian B., who practices law in Jackson, Mississippi, has been recognized since 2017. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Brian B. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

LaToya Merritt, a community leader and experienced litigator, aims to assist her clients make the best decisions whether that includes taking a case to trial or working to resolve a case through alternative resolutions. She has been recognized by a number of media outlets as an active and engaged member of the Jackson community through devoting her time to volunteer with Mississippi organizations. For nearly 20 years, LaToya has practiced exclusively in the area of labor and employment with a...

Walter represents a variety of individual and corporate clients in large, complex commercial litigation, arbitration, and personal injury litigation. Walter's primary area of expertise lies in the litigation of disputes in the federal and state courts of Mississippi, where he regularly tries cases to verdict. Specialties: Commercial litigation; catastrophic personal injury litigation; insurance coverage and defense.

Jamie G. Houston, III, was admitted to the Mississippi Bar in 1976. He has been admitted to practice in the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, the United States District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Mississippi, and the United States Tax Court. His experience includes practice in corporate and business law, tax and estate planning and administration. Jamie is a Certified Public Accountant (Retired).

Roger Williams is a partner in the firm’s Real Estate Practice Group. Roger is a transactional attorney who focuses his practice on the acquisition, leasing, and sale of commercial real estate, construction projects, and commercial lending. He represents developers in all phases of the acquisition, development, financing, leasing, and sale of various kinds of commercial properties, including apartment complexes, office buildings, shopping centers, and build-to-suit retail projects. In a...

Jennifer is a partner in Balch’s Jackson office and holds licenses in Texas, Arkansas and Mississippi. She is an experienced litigation attorney who practices primary in the areas of product liability, toxic and environmental torts, wrongful death, and negligence cases. For more than 18 years Jennifer has defended a myriad of product manufacturers and possesses specialized knowledge in silica litigation defense. Jennifer has defended thousands of silica claims across the Southeast for l...

R. James (Jimmy) Young was named to The Top 50 Mississippi attorneys 2010 and 2012 lists, having received one of the highest point totals in the Mid-South Super Lawyers nomination, research and blue ribbon review process. He was identified as one of the Top 50 Lawyers in Mississippi in the Leaders in Law 2011 by the Mississippi Business Journal. As a Best Lawyer in America for the past fifteen years, Jimmy was also named by his peers as the Best Lawyers in America 2013 Jackson, MS Trusts &...