Julie Ann Epps

Mark D. Jicka was admitted to the Mississippi Bar in 1991. He is currently on the Steering Committee for DRI's Products Liability Committee and serves as the Expert Witness Chair for that Committee. His practice focuses on defending manufacturers at trial and on appeal. He has handled cases for clients in Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Arkansas, Louisiana and Kentucky. His cases of note include Bailey v. Lockheed Martin Corp., 261 Fed. Appx. 713, 2008 U.S. App. LEXIS 1006, January 17, 2008;...

Jennifer M. Studebaker is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Jennifer M., who practices law in Jackson, Mississippi, has been recognized since 2017. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jennifer M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mitch McGuffey is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants. Mitch, who practices law in Jackson, Mississippi, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Mitch is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Elizabeth Boone advises clients on business transactions and compliance matters domestically and internationally, including contract negotiation, establishment and maintenance of legal entities, establishment of terms and conditions for the sale of goods, privacy compliance matters, employment matters and real estate transactions. She also has assisted with private entity mergers, acquisitions and divestitures in various industries with purchase prices in varying ranges, including a deal valu...

Jason H. Strong is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Insurance, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants, Product Liability Litigation - Defendants, Professional Malpractice Law - Defendants and Transportation Law. Jason H., who practices law in Madison, Mississippi, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jason H. is held by other top lawyers in the same g...

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...

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...

Glenn Gates Taylor is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Energy Law, Litigation - Environmental, Natural Resources Law, Oil and Gas Law and Water Law. Glenn Gates, who practices law in Ridgeland, Mississippi, has been recognized since 1989. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Glenn Gates is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Kelly Blackwood is a member of the firm’s Environmental Practice Group and the firm’s Litigation Practice Group. Her practice involves regulatory and litigation work with a wide range of experience in environmental permitting and enforcement matters. Kelly has a strong working relationship with the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality and works regularly with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Kelly has represented clients before Mississippi state courts, the Mis...

Steve has extensive experience as lead counsel in major litigation, not only in Mississippi, but throughout the Southeast. He has tried well over 200 cases to conclusion and has tried cases in 59 of Mississippi’s 82 counties and in 17 different states. Steve is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, and is included in Best Lawyers in America , in Commercial Litigation, Intellectual Property Litigation, Personal Injury Litigation, Products Liability and Bet-the-Company Litiga...