Frederick G. "Rick" Davis Jr.

Paul H. Stephenson, III was admitted to the Mississippi Bar in 1977. He is also admitted to practice before all state and federal district courts in Mississippi, as well as the Supreme Court of the United States and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. His practice has focused on business, commercial and financial disputes at the trial and appellate levels involving a wide array of subject matters. Paul's experience includes complex class actions, oil and gas controversie...

Samantha is a member of the firm’s Tax Group and focuses her practice on estate and trust planning, international tax and trust planning, estate administration, and taxation law.

James L. Banks is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. James L., who practices law in Jackson, Mississippi, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which James L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Tommy Shepherd is a partner in the Corporate Practice Group. He advises businesses, Native American tribes, and financial institutions on a wide range of commercial and transactional matters. Tommy represents a broad spectrum of clients in all types of commercial and regulated matters. He has extensive experience in acquisitions, public-private leases, financings, land-use approvals, statutory and regulatory interpretation and compliance, operations, and administrative hearings. An accomplish...

Glenn Gates Taylor is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Energy Law, Litigation - Environmental, Natural Resources Law, Oil and Gas Law and Water Law. Glenn Gates, who practices law in Ridgeland, Mississippi, has been recognized since 1989. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Glenn Gates is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Brian C. Smith is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Private Funds / Hedge Funds Law. Brian C., 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 Brian C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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.

C. Joyce Hall was admitted to the Mississippi Bar in 1987 and the Louisiana bar in 1995. Her experience includes commercial transactions, public finance, corporate and health care law. In 1994, Joyce was named Mississippi's Outstanding Young Lawyer and one of Mississippi's 50 Leading Business Women in 2009. She is involved in several professional and civic organizations, and following Hurricane Katrina, provided pro bono work to victims through the Mississippi Bar.

Susan L. Steffey was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1987 and to the Mississippi Bar in 1991. She is admitted to practice in all state and federal courts in Mississippi and Florida and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Before joining Watkins & Eager in 1991, Susan practiced in Tampa, Florida, with the law firm of Sessums & Mason (1987-1990), and served as law clerk to the Honorable Rhesa H. Barksdale, United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit (1990-19...

Gilbert has represented clients in in all aspects of retirement and health and welfare benefit plans – design, administration, compliance, taxation, employee communications, fiduciary responsibility, defense of benefit claims, examinations, ruling applications, correction program filings and merger and acquisition transactions.