J. Thomas Ash

Ryan focuses his practice on representing privately held business in sales and acquisitions, formation, and business planning and operations. Ryan also regularly represents gaming clients on regulatory matters before the Mississippi Gaming Commission.

William L. Smith, Sr. is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Commercial Litigation, Environmental Law and Litigation - Real Estate. William L. practices law in Jackson, Mississippi Best Lawyers has recognized William L. Smith, Sr. since 1995. 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 L. Smith, Sr. is held by other lawy...

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.

Michael Gwin was admitted to the Mississippi Bar in 1986. His experience ranges from commercial litigation, complex litigation and appellate advocacy to tort and general litigation, product liability and professional malpractice litigation. Michael is AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell and has been listed as one of The Best Lawyers in America since 2006.

Peyton Prospere has been engaged in the area of public law and finance for thirty-eight years. That experience includes the discharge of responsibilities at the highest levels in state government as State Treasurer, Chief Legal Counsel to Governor Ronnie Musgrove, and as General Counsel to the Mississippi Development Authority. As State Treasurer, Peyton supervised the issuance in 2003 of $363 million of State bonds representing the State incentive package for the Nissan manufacturing facilit...

Kathryn Hester is special counsel in the Litigation Practice Group. She focuses her practice on commercial disputes in state and federal courts and before Mississippi state agencies. Kathryn advises and represents clients in litigation, healthcare administrative proceedings, estate challenges, zoning, and gaming law. She has served as adjunct professor at Mississippi College School of Law, where she taught a course in pre-trial practice. She is also a regular lecturer and writer on gaming and...

Walter J. Brand heads the Employment and Labor Practice Group at Watkins & Eager PLLC, where he has defended employment litigation for more than twenty years. Walter approaches his practice with the view that successful defense of employment claims begins long before a lawsuit is filed and requires three essential components: (1) fair, accurate and documented handling of personnel actions based on updated employer policies; (2) cogent explanation of employer action before administrative a...

Suzie Baker practices in the area of business, with a focus on commercial finance, commercial real estate, mergers and acquisitions, general business, and corporate and securities matters. She represents real estate developers in purchases, sales, financing, and development transactions. Ms. Baker's commercial finance practice includes complex loans for businesses, including fixed asset loans, bond issues, securitized loans, revolving credit facilities and equipment lease financing. She handl...

Clark Luke is a partner in the firm’s Tax and Trusts & Estates practice groups. His practice is primarily focused on estate planning and administration, taxation, corporate law, and M&A. Clark has been listed in Chambers USA High Net Worth Guide , The Best Lawyers in America ®, and Mid-South Super Lawyers . He has an LL.M. in Taxation from the University of Florida Levin College of Law and is a Certified Public Accountant.

Alex’s experience includes litigation matters in state and federal courts across the country. He is currently handling disputes in Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio, Minnesota, and Kentucky, and has prior litigation experience in Oklahoma, Missouri, Louisiana, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. He is comfortable litigating beyond Mississippi and working with local counsel as necessary to achieve the client’s goals. Alex’s ...