Joseph E. "Jody" Varner III

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...

La'Verne practices within Butler Snow's Pharmaceutical, Medical Device and Healthcare Litigation group and serves as the Chair of the firm’s Inclusivity Committee. She is experienced in defending cases involving product liability, medical negligence, premises liability, bad faith insurance, employment disputes and legal malpractice. Chambers USA, which recognized La’Verne for Litigation: General Commercial – Mississippi in 2023 and 2024, states that “[s]he is very well...

Jennifer is a partner in Balch’s Jackson office and holds licenses in Texas, Arkansas and Mississippi. She is an experienced litigation attorney who practices primary in the areas of product liability, toxic and environmental torts, wrongful death, and negligence cases. For more than 18 years Jennifer has defended a myriad of product manufacturers and possesses specialized knowledge in silica litigation defense. Jennifer has defended thousands of silica claims across the Southeast for l...

Mildred M. Morris was admitted to the Mississippi Bar in 1984. Her experience spans litigation, medical malpractice defense, health care and drug and medical device defense. Some cases of note include Warren v. Sandoz Pharmaceuticals Corp., 783 So.2d 735 (Miss. App. 2000) (American Law Journal Top 10 Defense Verdicts of the Year); Lindley v. Hamilton, 883 F.2d 360 (5th Cir. 1989); Herrington v. Spell, 692 So.2d 93 (Miss. 1997). She has tried cases to verdict by jury in numerous state and fede...

George E. Abdo III is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Construction Law, Legal Malpractice Law - Defendants, Litigation - Construction, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants and Professional Malpractice Law - Defendants. George E., who practices law in Madison, Mississippi, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which George E. is held by other top...

Matthew I. Hetzel is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Workers' Compensation Law - Employers. Matthew I., who practices law in Ridgeland, Mississippi, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Matthew I. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Tara P. Ellis is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Gaming Law. Tara P., who practices law in Jackson, Mississippi, has been recognized since 2013. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Tara P. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Betty Burton Arinder is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Workers' Compensation Law - Employers. Betty Burton, who practices law in Ridgeland, Mississippi, has been recognized since 2013. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Betty Burton is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Tanya D. Ellis is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Tanya D., who practices law in Jackson, Mississippi, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Tanya D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...