Christi G. Jones

Phil is a seasoned litigator who focuses most of his practice on matters within the construction industry. A certified arbitrator, he has provided counsel to some of the country’s most well-known companies. In over forty years of practice at Butler Snow, Phil has represented owners, contractors, architects and engineers in the construction industry, as well as defending national manufacturers in product liability litigation.

Blake Fulton is a partner in the Corporate Practice Group. He concentrates in the areas of incentivized public and private project finance, state and local government law, and economic development incentives. Blake develops and negotiates incentivized project finance transactions throughout the Gulf South and nationally. His experience includes a variety of tax credit finance matters, having handled numerous deals in connection with new markets and historic tax credits, as well as certified c...

Matthew I. Hetzel is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Workers' Compensation Law - Employers. Matthew I., who practices law in Ridgeland, Mississippi, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Matthew I. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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).

Brad C. Davis is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Public Finance Law. Brad C., who practices law in Jackson, Mississippi, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Brad C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Joseph G. Baladi was admitted to the Missouri Bar in 2000 and the Mississippi Bar in 2001. Since joining Watkins & Eager, Joe's experience has included numerous pharmaceutical litigations, medical malpractice bench and jury trials, and product liability trials. Joe's involved in several professional organizations and serves as co-chair of Watkins & Eager's Mass Tort and Repetitive Exposure practice group. Joe regularly speaks and presents on the subjects of science at trial, Daubert i...

Walter Willson practices in the areas of commercial litigation, lender liability, insurance defense and complex litigation. He has extensive experience representing consumer credit institutions, banks, finance companies, and other lenders in cases involving consumer and commercial loans, and the purchase of debt protection instruments and/or credit insurance, and advises clients on regulatory issues related to the development and marketing of debt protection products, and has drafted contract...

Davis Frye is the Practice Group Leader of Butler Snow’s Tort, Transportation, and Specialized Litigation Group. He has extensive experience defending clients in litigation across numerous industries including healthcare, manufacturing, and professional services. Davis has tried dozens of cases to verdict and regularly argues before state and federal appellate courts.

Whit Rayner is a partner in the Litigation Practice Group and co-leader of the intellectual property team. He focuses on copyright and trademark registration and protection, software licensing, and intellectual property litigation and prosecution. Whit provides counsel and advice to notable large domestic and international clients, including outdoor lifestyle brands, technology companies, and financial institutions. He also represents clients in commercial litigation and contract disputes. Wh...

Margaret Oertling Cupples writes briefs and motions, and manages other lawyers who write them, in civil appeals and commercial litigation. As litigators and their clients know, a vanishingly small percentage of cases actually get to trial; for the rest, a great brief is the way to win. As national legal writing counsel in major litigation for 3M Company, Margaret’s individual contributions and her strong collaboration with colleagues have brought significant value to 3M for two decades....