G. Weathers Virden, Jr.

Over 43 years’ experience representing banks and financial institutions in a wide variety of business and regulatory matters including compliance, regulatory enforcement actions, bank products and services, bank formation, mergers and acquisitions, and commercial and real estate finance transactions.

William Lucien Smith, Jr. is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Government Relations Practice. William Lucien practices law in Jackson, Mississippi Best Lawyers has recognized William Lucien Smith, Jr. since 2025. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which William Lucien Smith, Jr. is held by other lawyers.

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...

John Giddens is the founding member of Giddens Law Firm, a personal injury law firm in Jackson, Mississippi. He established the firm in 1999, dedicated to those who cannot help themselves. Mr. Giddens is a victim’s rights advocate who chooses to represent the interests of individuals over corporations. His practice is devoted to helping Mississippians seek justice after an accident caused by negligence. Mr. Giddens has extensive experience in several areas of legal practice, including l...

Kaytie Pickett is a partner in the Litigation Practice Group. She focuses her practice on complex commercial litigation, arbitration, and appeals for clients in the financial services, insurance, manufacturing, and construction industries. Kaytie has developed a particular focus on moving clients’ high-risk cases out of challenging venues. She has successfully removed cases to federal court, transferred venue, and had cases dismissed on complex jurisdictional grounds. Kaytie also has de...

Jet has served as investor counsel, counsel to community development entities, leverage lender counsel, and QALICB or Developer counsel in over $800 million in Historic Tax Credits, New Markets Tax Credits and Renewable Energy Tax Credit transactions, including numerous twinned tax credit transactions combining a variety of leverage sources. In addition, Jet has recently focused a large amount of his practice on advising developer and investor clients on Opportunity Zone transactions both est...

Tom Walker is a partner in the Corporate Practice Group. He focuses on commercial and regulatory matters in the financial services industry, with a depth of experience representing financial institutions. Prior to joining the firm, Tom served as executive vice president and director of a community bank in Forest, Mississippi. His experience as general counsel, chief operating officer, chief financial officer, and chief investments officer in the financial services sector enhances his ability ...

Bea Tolsdorf is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Health Care Law. Bea practices law in Jackson, Mississippi Best Lawyers has recognized Bea Tolsdorf since 2024. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Bea Tolsdorf is held by other lawyers.

Mike Ellingburg has been engaged in the active practice of law since May 1976. He practiced at Daniel Coker Horton & Bell, P.A. from that date until December 31, 2019, when he left and started his own firm. While at Daniel Coker he led the firm's Appellate Law and Commercial/Business Litigation practices and was active in advancing the firm’s technological capabilities and usage. He has litigated complex matters in nearly every industry, with extensive experience in banking, closely...

Brian C. Kimball is an accomplished litigator and mediator with over two decades of experience representing clients in complex commercial, environmental, and governmental litigation across multiple jurisdictions. As a member of Butler Snow’s Commercial Litigation Group, Brian’s practice spans a diverse array of industries, including manufacturing, construction, telecommunications, food services, financial services, healthcare, energy, retail, transportation, and technology. Recogn...