John Howell III

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...

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.

Ben H. Stone is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Energy Law and Gaming Law. Ben H., who practices law in Gulfport, Mississippi, has been recognized since 1993. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Ben H. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Ben Williams is a corporate and transactional attorney in the firm’s Real Estate and Banking & Financial Services practice groups with more than 40 years of experience in complex corporate, commercial finance, and real estate transactions. Ben’s practice includes creating, negotiating and closing nuanced structures and innovative financing alternatives on behalf of lender and borrower clients alike, and assisting businesses on both sides of acquisitions and mergers. His work i...

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...

“Orlando Richmond is highly recognized for his skills as a trial attorney.” (Chambers USA Editorial, 2025, where Rod is ranked for Nationwide Product Liability & Mass Torts and Litigation: General Commercial – Mississippi) “He’s just phenomenal in the courtroom.” “He connects well with juries.” (Chambers USA Editorial, 2023) “Richmond was described by one industry competitor as having ‘one of the best courtroom presences in the i...

Slates Veazey represents clients in all types of litigation, with a particular emphasis on construction and insurance coverage disputes. Slates’ construction practice involves representing owners and general contractors in a variety of issues and projects, both public and private. Slates, who is licensed in both Texas and Mississippi, has experience managing construction disputes across the United States, including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, and Texas. This experience inclu...

Steve Cupp is a partner in the Gulfport office. He has experience across a range of industries, including manufacturing, financial services, construction, and retail. He has devoted his practice to representing management interests in various areas of labor and employment law, including traditional labor litigation before the National Labor Relations Board, handling Department of Labor wage and hour audits, and litigation of Fair Labor Standards Act cases. Steve is certified as a Senior Profe...

Lauren McCrory is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Lauren, 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 Lauren is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

R. James (Jimmy) Young was named to The Top 50 Mississippi attorneys 2010 and 2012 lists, having received one of the highest point totals in the Mid-South Super Lawyers nomination, research and blue ribbon review process. He was identified as one of the Top 50 Lawyers in Mississippi in the Leaders in Law 2011 by the Mississippi Business Journal. As a Best Lawyer in America for the past fifteen years, Jimmy was also named by his peers as the Best Lawyers in America 2013 Jackson, MS Trusts &...