E. Barry "Barry" Bridgforth

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...

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

Jeremy T. Hutto is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Jeremy T., who practices law in Jackson, Mississippi, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jeremy T. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Simon Bailey has represented clients in a variety of matters, including consumer protection cases, product liability cases, and commercial cases involving insurers, lenders, accountants, and other professionals. He has participated in litigation across the country at the trial and appellate stages. Simon also has an active pro bono practice and is a past recipient of the Jackson Young Lawyers Association’s Pro Bono Award. In addition to his law practice, Simon is involved in community a...

Bo represents publicly traded and privately held businesses in acquisitions, sales, mergers and capital raises. He is also experienced in business strategy and planning, including corporate formation, structuring and organization.

Michael Bentley is a partner in the Jackson, Mississippi office, where he concentrates his practice on appellate and commercial litigation. In addition to his responsibilities at the firm, Michael was elected Chair of the Mississippi Bar Association’s Appellate Practice Section (2013-2014) and currently serves on the Board of Governors for the Bar Association of the Federal Fifth Circuit. Prior to joining the firm, Michael clerked for Judge Leslie H. Southwick at the Fifth Circuit Court...

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...

George E. Abdo III is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Construction Law, Legal Malpractice Law - Defendants, Litigation - Construction, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants and Professional Malpractice Law - Defendants. George E., who practices law in Madison, Mississippi, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which George E. is held by other top...

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.

Bobby House is a partner in the Corporate Practice Group. He focuses his practice on insurance regulatory, corporate, administrative, and public policy law. Bobby provides general counsel representation to several insurance and insurance-related entities, including residual market mechanisms. He advises insurers on company formation and licensing, mergers and acquisitions, Form A and other insurance holding company system filings, reinsurance transactions, financial and market conduct examina...