David A. Thornton

After graduating from the University of Virginia Law School in 1975, Mr. Cocke moved to Clarksdale, MS to begin practicing in a general litigation firm. In 1982, Mr. Cocke and Mr. Merkel left that firm and established Merkel & Cocke, P.A., and since that time the emphasis of Mr. Cocke's practice has progressed more and more toward medical malpractice. At the present time his practice is exclusively devoted to handling medical negligence cases for the plaintiff, either as a result of direc...

Wendy Smith is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law and Real Estate Law. Wendy, who practices law in Memphis, Tennessee, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Wendy is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Thaddeus S. Rodda, Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law and Real Estate Law. Thaddeus S., who practices law in Memphis, Tennessee, has been recognized since 2008. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Thaddeus S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Ross E. Webster is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Ross E., who practices law in Memphis, Tennessee, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Ross E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Robert F. Miller is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Banking and Finance, Litigation - Construction and Litigation - Trusts and Estates. Robert F., who practices law in Memphis, Tennessee, has been recognized since 2013. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Robert F. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

John Willet focuses his practice in the areas of construction, fidelity and surety, business law, litigation and alternative dispute resolution. He represents owners, developers, contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, architects and engineers throughout the construction process, including entity formation, licensing and registration, identification and management of risks, contracting, claims management and dispute resolution. In the area of fidelity and surety law, Mr. Willet represents cli...

George J. Nassar, Jr., concentrates his practice in the areas of estate planning, probate, tax planning and business transactions. He currently serves as Chair of the firm's Business, Tax and Estate Planning Practice Group. Mr. Nassar has over 30 years of experience in the practice of law. His areas of expertise include estate planning and formulation of sophisticated tax planning and wealth transfer techniques for clients with significant domestic and international holdings. He counsels clie...

http://www.merkel-cocke.com/attorneys/charles-m-merkel-iii/ Areas of Practice : Negligence, Medical Malpractice, Products Liability. Bar Admissions : Mississippi, 1998; U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit; U.S. District Court, Northern and Southern Districts of Mississippi. Education: University of Mississippi (B.A., summa cum laude, 1995; J.D., cum laude 1998); Taylor Medal Award Winner: English; Chancellor’s Scholar; Moot Court Board Member; Moot Court: “Best Written Brief Awar...

Clay Culpepper serves as counsel for a number of businesses and aggressively advocates for injured individuals. Clay has litigated cases from Tennessee to California, in federal and state courts, in front of both juries and judges. Clay represents and counsels clients in various actions, including, but not limited to: Significant Personal Injury: Automobile accidents Trucking accidents Premises liability Malpractice Wrongful death Negligence Business/Commercial Litigation: Contract/transactio...

Charles F. Newman is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Environmental Law, First Amendment Law, Litigation - Environmental and Litigation - First Amendment. Charles F., who practices law in Memphis, Tennessee, has been recognized since 1991. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Charles F. is held by other top lawyers in the same...