Joseph E. "Jody" Varner III

Philip Gunn is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Government Relations Practice. Philip, who practices law in Jackson, Mississippi, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Philip is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Samantha is a member of the firm’s Tax Group and focuses her practice on estate and trust planning, international tax and trust planning, estate administration, and taxation law.

Will focuses his practice on product liability litigation and has been recognized by Super Lawyers® as a “Mid-South Rising Star” for his work in personal injury defense.

Jim Crongeyer is a Managing Member of Watkins & Eager and has served in this capacity since 2008. He began the practice of law in Florida in 1995 after graduating cum laude from the University of Mississippi School of Law. He is admitted to practice in Mississippi (1997), Alabama (1996) and Florida (1995), and has actively practiced in all three states. Jim has significant litigation and trial experience in the general product liability litigation, mass tort, complex litigation and constr...

Paul is AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell®. His practice is focused on environmental, commercial and financial services litigation.

M. Binford (Ben) Williams, Jr., has over thirty years of experience in large, complex commercial transactions. Ben's practice is fast-paced and, on a regular basis, includes nuanced structures, innovative financing alternatives with his lender and borrower clients alike, and acquisitions and mergers of businesses . His work includes significant representation of lenders in commercial loans (C&I, real estate, bonds, interest rate swaps), developers in the development, construction, and ope...

Eric Toney is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Eric, who practices law in Ridgeland, Mississippi, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Eric is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Robert Van Uden is a Member and Manager of Stubblefield, Yelverton & Van Uden, PLLC. Robert received his undergraduate degree in History from Louisiana State University in 1996, his Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Mississippi in 2000, his Chartered Life Underwriter designation (CLU®) from the American College in 2006, his LL.M. in Taxation with Distinction from the University of Alabama in 2010, and is a graduate of the Southern Trust School. Robert is a member of the Mi...

James R. Moore, Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants and Transportation Law. James R., who practices law in Ridgeland, Mississippi, has been recognized since 2009. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which James R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Since 1983, Tommy Siler has concentrated his practice in the representation of management in labor and employment law matters, and in the defense of civil rights issues. His practice includes multiple party or class action matters involving a wide array of employment issues. In over 30 years of practice, Mr. Siler has maintained an active trial practice including numerous jury trials in the Federal Court system and numerous arbitrations regarding the interpretation of collective bargaining ag...