Christopher Corkern

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, ...

RICKY J. COX currently serves as the Managing Partner of the Gulfport office of Balch & Bingham LLP and is a member of the firm’s Energy; Corporate & Securities; and Real Estate, Lending and Commercial practice groups. Mr. Cox enjoys a diverse practice and regularly represents clients in a wide variety of utility and commercial matters, including energy and utility litigation; energy regulation and transactions; water and sewer utility regulation, transactions, and litigation; b...

Michael B. McDermott is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Bankruptcy. Michael B., who practices law in Biloxi, Mississippi, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michael B. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Matthew Williams is a skilled litigator and negotiator whose aggressive yet well-reasoned approach has delivered strong results for clients in Mississippi and Alabama. His practice includes first- and third-party insurance defense, trucking and transportation, employer’s liability, professional liability, and construction, with additional experience serving as local counsel for major insurers and advising on corporate transactions. As a member of Galloway’s Emergency Response Team...

Leo E. Manuel is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Energy Law. Leo E., who practices law in Gulfport, Mississippi, has been recognized since 2016. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Leo E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

GENERALWilliam Earnest Whitfield, III2449 Summerwood Circle (Home) Gulfport, MS 39507 (228) 896-6933 Copeland, Cook, Taylor & Bush, P.A. (Office) 2781 C.T. Switzer Sr. Drive, Suite 200 Biloxi, Mississippi 39531 P.O. Box 10 Gulfport, Mississippi 39502 228.863.6101 (Switchboard) 228.867.0827 (Direct/Secretary)FAMILY Wife - Anita Robertson Whitfield (married in 1979) Children: Stacey R. Whitfield (20) W. E. Whitfield IV (16) W. M. Whitfield (11) EDUCATIONUniversity of Mobile - B.A. (History-...

Michael is an experienced litigator who practices in the firm’s Pharmaceutical, Medical Device and Healthcare Group. He has spent the majority of his career defending clients in the pharmaceutical, medical device, biologic, and chemical industries. Michael also served as a JAG Officer in the Army National Guard where he tried numerous cases and presided as a judicial advisor.

David Stewart is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. David, who practices law in Gulfport, Mississippi, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which David is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Todd G. Crawford has handled a broad scope of complex litigation, ranging from toxic exposures to marine disasters to catastrophic oilfield blowouts. Todd remains busy splitting his time between the firm’s Houston office and New Orleans office, while still managing the Gulfport office allowing him to easily represent his clients all along the Gulf Coast region. Todd's practice includes general maritime law matters, including arrests and attachments, cargo claims, limitation of liability...

Kaara Lind is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Insurance, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Kaara, who practices law in Gulfport, Mississippi, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kaara is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.