James C. "Jim" Simpson, Jr.

Patrick is a member of the Tort, Transportation & Specialized Litigation Group with a practice focus on flood and other catastrophic and major claims defense, transportation litigation, insurance and casualty defense, premises liability, professional malpractice defense, environmental law, compliance with Medicare and Medicaid laws, and other areas of litigation. He is a member of the 24-hour accident investigations team.

WILLIAM L. MCDONOUGH, JR., was born in Oxford, Mississippi, July 1, 1950 and graduated from the University of Mississippi in 1972. Following service in the U.S. Navy, returned to the University of Mississippi School of Law, graduating in 1979, joining the firm of Bryant & Stennis in Gulfport, Mississippi. Member: Mississippi State Bar (Board of Bar Commissioners, 1999-2002); Harrison County Bar Association (President, 1996); Captain, United States Navy Reserve, 1972- 1996. Member of the B...

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

RICKY J. COX currently serves as the Managing Partner of the Gulfport office of Balch & Bingham LLP and is a member of the firm’s Energy; Corporate & Securities; and Real Estate, Lending and Commercial practice groups. Mr. Cox enjoys a diverse practice and regularly represents clients in a wide variety of utility and commercial matters, including energy and utility litigation; energy regulation and transactions; water and sewer utility regulation, transactions, and litigation; b...

Scott Ellzey practices in the areas of commercial litigation and general insurance defense matters involving both third-party liability claims and first-party coverage issues in state and federal court. Additionally, he has extensive experience defending tort claim liability matters, as well as transportation litigation, municipal liability defense claims, products liability claims and professional liability matters. Scott served as an adjunct instructor at the University of Mississippi as pa...

Michael is an experienced litigator who practices in the firm’s Pharmaceutical, Medical Device and Healthcare Group. He has spent the majority of his career defending clients in the pharmaceutical, medical device, biologic, and chemical industries. Michael also served as a JAG Officer in the Army National Guard where he tried numerous cases and presided as a judicial advisor.

David N. Duhé is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law. David N., who practices law in Gulfport, Mississippi, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which David N. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Ed is a shareholder in the Gulfport (MS) office. Ed focuses his practice on defending matters involving general litigation, personal injury, complex litigation and professional liability. He has been recognized by the Mississippi Jury Verdict Reporter as one of the most prolific trial lawyers in Mississippi. Ed graduated with his Bachelor of Arts in Government from McNeese State University (LA). From there he earned his Juris Doctor from Mississippi College School of Law. Ed Taylor is a membe...

Heather Murphy is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law and Professional Malpractice Law - Defendants. Heather, who practices law in Gulfport, Mississippi, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Heather is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

H. Rodger Wilder is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Energy Law. H. Rodger, who practices law in Gulfport, Mississippi, has been recognized since 2001. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which H. Rodger is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.