John S. Hooks

Mary Clift Abdalla is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants, Product Liability Litigation - Defendants and Workers' Compensation Law - Employers. Mary Clift practices law in Jackson, Mississippi Best Lawyers has recognized Mary Clift Abdalla since 2019. 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 ...

Gina Jacobs is a partner in the Corporate Practice Group. She focuses on business planning and commercial transactions, commercial finance, and mergers and acquisitions. Over the course of a law career that spans more than 30 years, Gina has advised privately held businesses with their business planning, contracting, finance, and acquisition and divestiture needs. Her knowledge of contract and commercial law and finance makes her an asset to her clients as they grow and expand their businesse...

Alyson serves as Practice Group Leader for our Pharmaceutical, Medical Device and Healthcare Group. Frequently called upon to assemble teams and manage both coordinated proceedings and individual plaintiff cases, she represents pharmaceutical and medical device companies in product liability litigation across the country. “Alyson is a phenomenal case manager and a strong litigator.” Chambers USA, which ranked Alyson for nationwide Product Liability & Mass Torts (2025). The Leg...

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.

Blair Harden Jussely is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Tax Law and Trusts and Estates. Blair Harden practices law in Ridgeland, Mississippi Best Lawyers has recognized Blair Harden Jussely since 2027. 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 Blair Harden Jussely is held by other lawyers.

Aileen Thomas is a partner in the Tax Practice Group and a member of the firm’s board of directors. Aileen is a nationally recognized finance attorney with a focus on New Markets Tax Credit transactions, Historic Tax Credit transactions, tax exempt bond transactions and other sophisticated debt financing transactions. Aileen’s clients include national, regional and community banks, underwriting firms, investment funds, community development entities and community development finan...

Barry Cannada focuses his practice on mergers and acquisitions, complex business transactions and finance and restructuring. He has extensive experience in various transactional advisory services, capital formation, joint ventures, private placements, financings (including distressed financings). He formerly served as the Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel overseeing all the administrative functions for a client earning approximately $3 billion in revenues and employing approxim...

Tara P. Ellis is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Gaming Law. Tara P. practices law in Jackson, Mississippi Best Lawyers has recognized Tara P. Ellis since 2013. 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 Tara P. Ellis is held by other lawyers.

C. Joyce Hall was admitted to the Mississippi Bar in 1987 and the Louisiana bar in 1995. Her experience includes commercial transactions, public finance, corporate and health care law. In 1994, Joyce was named Mississippi's Outstanding Young Lawyer and one of Mississippi's 50 Leading Business Women in 2009. She is involved in several professional and civic organizations, and following Hurricane Katrina, provided pro bono work to victims through the Mississippi Bar.

Matthew H. Grenfell is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships) and Real Estate Law. Matthew H. practices law in Ridgeland, Mississippi Best Lawyers has recognized Matthew H. Grenfell 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 Matthew H. Grenfell is held by other l...