James B. "Rus" Sykes III

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...

James R. Moore, Jr. is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Insurance Law, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants and Transportation Law. James R. practices law in Ridgeland, Mississippi Best Lawyers has recognized James R. Moore, Jr. since 2009. 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 James R. Moore, Jr. is held by other la...

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...

Philip Gunn is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Government Relations Practice. Philip practices law in Jackson, Mississippi Best Lawyers has recognized Philip Gunn since 2026. 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 Philip Gunn is held by other lawyers.

Abram Orlansky was admitted to the Mississippi Bar in 2012. Prior to joining the firm, he served as law clerk to The Honorable Rhesa H. Barksdale, United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. His practice focuses on environmental law, wherein he represents clients before the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the United States Corps of Engineers, along with state and federal courts. Abram has assisted clients with issues includin...

Mike Hurst is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Commercial Litigation and Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Mike practices law in Flowood, Mississippi Best Lawyers has recognized Mike Hurst 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 Mike Hurst is held by other lawyers.

Gary Jones is a shareholder in the Jackson office of the firm and has served as Chair of the Workers’ Compensation practice group since 2007. He has been involved in the Workers’ Compensation practice for over 30 years and has served as a mediator in such cases for over a decade. When asked about the practice of law, Gary says, “Wise counsel is what you get with Daniel Coker attorneys. Our job is to tell you what you need to hear, not necessarily what you want to hear. Dogma...

Bridgforth Rutledge practices in the area of business, commercial real estate, and finance. He practices primarily in the areas of business, finance and real estate, including entity formation, leasing, lending, mergers, asset conveyances, real property conveyances, franchising, intellectual property work and various other commercial transactions. He is the practice coordinator of the business practice group in the Jackson, Mississippi office.

Brian B. Hannula is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Commercial Litigation, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Brian B. practices law in Jackson, Mississippi Best Lawyers has recognized Brian B. Hannula since 2017. 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 Brian ...