Carey Reid Varnado

Trey Clark practices in the area of labor and employment, representing both private and public employers in defense of Section 1983 civil rights claims, Title VII and other discrimination suits, and wage and hour matters under the Fair Labor Standards Act. As part of his practice, Mr. Clark also defends claims under the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, and the Equal Pay Act.

Kelly D. Simpkins is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Insurance Law. Kelly D., who practices law in Ridgeland, Mississippi, has been recognized since 2013. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kelly D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

John Wheeler serves as president and litigation chair for the firm. He practices exclusively in litigation focusing on the defense of medical and professional liability claims, railroad liability claims, pharmaceutical and product liability litigation and other personal injury and general litigation matters. John has defended liability claims and litigation for health care providers, railroad entities, and major pharmaceutical companies in federal and state jurisdictions throughout the United...

Jennifer M. Studebaker is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Jennifer M., 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 Jennifer M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

Barber focuses his practice on commercial litigation issues including intellectual property, trade secrets, false advertising, breach of contract, and cybersecurity issues, as well as a variety of other types of commercial and environmental litigation. Barber has experience defending third party administrators in bad faith litigation. Barber’s practice includes matters with complex e-discovery issues, including handling issues relating to identification, preservation and collection of e...

Jim Wyly practices in the area of litigation. He handles a diverse litigation practice in Mississippi and Louisiana. As a litigator, he has defended a variety of tort claims, including serious personal injury, property damage, and wrongful death claims arising from transportation, professional liability (legal, medical, accountant, insurance and real estate agents/brokers), products liability, toxic exposure, maritime (Jones Act and general maritime law), construction (architects, engineers, ...

Ben Mitchell is a business lawyer who helps companies navigate complex transactions, protect valuable brands, and structure deals that drive growth.

Whit Johnson was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but grew up in Clarksdale, Mississippi, in a doctor’s household. Mr. Johnson has been licensed to practice in the State of Mississippi since 1979. He specializes in litigation, with the focus of his practice for the past 25 years being the defense of physicians, hospitals, and other health care providers from claims of medical negligence. Mr. Johnson is a frequent speaker to medical organizations, including the Mississippi State Medic...

Aileen Thomas is a partner in the Tax Practice Group and a member of the firm’s board of directors. Aileen is a nationally recognized finance attorney with a focus on New Markets Tax Credit transactions, Historic Tax Credit transactions, tax exempt bond transactions and other sophisticated debt financing transactions. Aileen’s clients include national, regional and community banks, underwriting firms, investment funds, community development entities and community development finan...