L. Kyle Williams

Roy is proactive in his approach to cases from the minute a file is referred. He makes an early analysis as to liability and damages and then works with the client to determine the best and most cost-effective strategy toward a favorable resolution, appropriate dismissal motion or trial of the case. Professional Affiliations ALFA International American Bar Association Association of Transport Law, Tort and Insurance Practice Committee Claims & Litigation Management Alliance (CLM) Defense ...

Jim Pettis is a member of the Firm’s Trust, Estates & Personal Planning Service Team. He concentrates his practice in the areas of estate planning, probate, Elder Law, ERISA and employee benefits, state and federal taxation, business law including contracts, general corporate merger, reorganizations and acquisitions.

J. Wesley Daughdrill is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships), Commercial Transactions / UCC Law, Corporate Governance Law, Corporate Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law. J. Wesley, who practices law in Ridgeland, Mississippi, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which J. Wesley is held by other top lawyers in the same...

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...

Betty Ruth Fox is Counsel with Watkins & Eager focusing in the areas of environmental law and bankruptcy. From 1993 to 2002, Betty Ruth was a Senior Attorney with the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality and worked in regulation and enforcement in every MDEQ Program Area, coordinating with appropriate federal, state and local agencies and/or governing authorities. Beginning in 2002, Betty Ruth worked as a Trial Attorney with the Department of Justice/U. S. Trustee Program in ci...

Walter J. Brand heads the Employment and Labor Practice Group at Watkins & Eager PLLC, where he has defended employment litigation for more than twenty years. Walter approaches his practice with the view that successful defense of employment claims begins long before a lawsuit is filed and requires three essential components: (1) fair, accurate and documented handling of personnel actions based on updated employer policies; (2) cogent explanation of employer action before administrative a...

William L. Smith, Sr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Environmental Law and Litigation - Real Estate. William L., who practices law in Jackson, Mississippi, has been recognized since 1995. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which William L. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Adam counsels and defends employers, including manufacturers, health care facilities, food processing plants, energy utilities, and trucking companies. He helps his clients work through challenging management issues and provides options that allow them to accomplish their goals while minimizing exposure. He also defends them against charges filed with the EEOC and Department of Labor, regularly conducts internal investigations, drafts employment agreements, enforces restrictive covenants, and...

John T. Rouse represents corporate clients in private civil litigation in state and federal courts throughout the Southeast. He focuses a substantial portion of his practice handling complex civil litigation filed against financial institutions, domestic and foreign product manufacturers, automotive finance and insurance companies, and national insurance companies. John has extensive experience handling matters for banks, mortgage lenders, and mortgage servicers surrounding federal and state ...

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®.