L. Clark Hicks Jr.

Ben serves as General Counsel representing the firm on a variety of issues, including ethics and risk management matters. Ben is also a member of the firm’s Commercial Litigation Group where he focuses his practice on director and officer defense, trade secret litigation, contract litigation, intellectual property litigation, administrative law, and aviation law.

Chris Pace is a partner in the Corporate Practice Group. He advises on project finance and economic development law, state and local government law, economic development incentives, and gaming law. Chris’ clients include county and municipal governmental bodies as well as new and expanding business concerns, examples of which include a large steel company investing more than $1 billion in a new facility, and a regional beverage supplier investing millions of dollars to expand its existi...

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.

Whit Rayner is a partner in the Litigation Practice Group and co-leader of the intellectual property team. He focuses on copyright and trademark registration and protection, software licensing, and intellectual property litigation and prosecution. Whit provides counsel and advice to notable large domestic and international clients, including outdoor lifestyle brands, technology companies, and financial institutions. He also represents clients in commercial litigation and contract disputes. Wh...

Roxanne P. Case is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Insurance and Workers' Compensation Law - Employers. Roxanne P., who practices law in Ridgeland, Mississippi, has been recognized since 2015. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Roxanne P. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

During her over 40 years of trial experience, Jones has served as national trial counsel representing various corporations and has tried cases throughout the United States. In many of these instances, she has served as lead counsel in bellwether trials. She is also a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers.

Matt is a member of Butler Snow’s Health Law group and focuses his practice on healthcare compliance with federal and state law, the structuring of business transactions for healthcare providers, and the defense of healthcare clients in commercial litigation and governmental audits. Matt regularly provides counsel to institutional and individual providers to ensure contemplated business transactions are both profitable and compliant with applicable laws, including Stark Law and the Anti...

R. David Marchetti is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law and Trusts and Estates. R. David, 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 R. David is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Joseph G. Baladi was admitted to the Missouri Bar in 2000 and the Mississippi Bar in 2001. Since joining Watkins & Eager, Joe's experience has included numerous pharmaceutical litigations, medical malpractice bench and jury trials, and product liability trials. Joe's involved in several professional organizations and serves as co-chair of Watkins & Eager's Mass Tort and Repetitive Exposure practice group. Joe regularly speaks and presents on the subjects of science at trial, Daubert i...

Bailey R. Fair was admitted to the Mississippi Bar in 2012. His practice is focused on commercial lending and finance, government relations, public utilities, and real estate. While in law school, Bailey served as Vice-Chairman of the Moot Court Board and was selected to the Order of Barristers. He has earned the ANSI-accredited Certified Information Privacy Professional/United States (CIPP/US) credential through the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP).