Colleen S. Welch

Malissa Wilson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Labor and Employment and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Malissa, who practices law in Jackson, Mississippi, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Malissa is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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.

Barney's practice focuses on commercial litigation and governmental litigation. He is Vice Chair of the Committee on Character and Fitness of the Mississippi Board of Bar Admissions and is a member of the Standing Committee on Local Civil Rules for the U.S. District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Mississippi.

Molly Jeffcoat Moody is a partner in the firm’s Real Estate and Banking & Financial Services practice groups with a focus on commercial transactions and complex financing matters. Her work includes significant representation of lenders and borrowers alike in commercial loans and developers in the development, construction, and operations of complex real estate projects. Molly has considerable experience with loan syndications, derivatives (interest rate swaps), and participations. M...

Michael Williams is a partner in the Jackson, Mississippi, office, where he has developed a diverse state and federal court litigation practice. Since joining the firm in 2015, Michael has litigated claims involving mass torts, commercial contract disputes, real estate transactions, and employment matters. Michael also has experience in product litigation, representing clients in the automotive, heavy equipment, consumer and recreational product arenas. He is prepared to protect his clients&r...

Ben focuses his practice on Corporate/LLC Law, Securities Law, Mergers and Acquisitions and Business Planning and Operations. He has served multiple tenures on the Mississippi Secretary of State’s Business Law Reform Committees for LLCs, Corporations and Securities Laws.

Gina Jacobs is a partner in the Corporate Practice Group. She focuses on business planning and commercial transactions, commercial finance, and mergers and acquisitions. Over the course of a law career that spans more than 30 years, Gina has advised privately held businesses with their business planning, contracting, finance, and acquisition and divestiture needs. Her knowledge of contract and commercial law and finance makes her an asset to her clients as they grow and expand their businesse...

Trey Bourn has a broad practice focused on helping clients from pre-litigation through trial. His experience includes defending products manufacturers in litigation pending in various state and federal venues across the country in cases involving heavy construction equipment, agricultural products, aviation products, pet food, gas pipelines, recreational vehicles, watercraft, medical devices, automobiles, home appliances, and children’s toys. He also counsels manufacturers on risk manag...

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...

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).