John Scanlon

Molly Jeffcoat Moody is a partner in the firm’s Real Estate and Banking & Financial Services practice groups with a focus on commercial transactions and complex financing matters. Her work includes significant representation of lenders and borrowers alike in commercial loans and developers in the development, construction, and operations of complex real estate projects. Molly has considerable experience with loan syndications, derivatives (interest rate swaps), and participations. M...

Jim F. Spencer, Jr., was admitted to the Mississippi Bar in 1987. His practice is primarily related to bankruptcy and creditors' rights, to commercial litigation and construction. Jim is a member of the Mississippi Bankruptcy Conference, the American Bankruptcy Institute and is listed among The Best Lawyers in America®.

Susan L. Steffey was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1987 and to the Mississippi Bar in 1991. She is admitted to practice in all state and federal courts in Mississippi and Florida and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Before joining Watkins & Eager in 1991, Susan practiced in Tampa, Florida, with the law firm of Sessums & Mason (1987-1990), and served as law clerk to the Honorable Rhesa H. Barksdale, United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit (1990-19...

Anna Little Morris is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Anna Little practices law in Ridgeland, Mississippi Best Lawyers has recognized Anna Little Morris 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 Anna Little Morris is held by other lawyers.

Ashley focuses her practice on Public Finance, State and Local Taxation, Tax Credits and Tax. She is frequently a speaker for various legal conferences, seminars and CLEs on those topics.

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.

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.

Robert is a member of our Finance, Real Estate and Restructuring Group. He focuses his practice on Real Estate Development and Finance, Corporate Governance, Mergers and Acquisitions and Commercial Finance.

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...

Mike Ellingburg has been engaged in the active practice of law since May 1976. He practiced at Daniel Coker Horton & Bell, P.A. from that date until December 31, 2019, when he left and started his own firm. While at Daniel Coker he led the firm's Appellate Law and Commercial/Business Litigation practices and was active in advancing the firm’s technological capabilities and usage. He has litigated complex matters in nearly every industry, with extensive experience in banking, closely...