Watkins & Eager PLLC

49 Best Lawyers awards

Watkins & Eager PLLC logo

Awarded Practice Areas

Corporate Governance Law Banking and Finance Law Commercial Finance Law Commercial Transactions / UCC Law Corporate Compliance Law Corporate Law Derivatives and Futures Law Mergers and Acquisitions Law Project Finance Law Real Estate Law
*Named the "Lawyer of the Year" in this practice area in the 2026 edition in Jackson, MS.

Biography

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 operations of complex real estate projects (apartment complexes, manufacturing facilities, shopping centers), and corporations in acquisition of subsidiaries and properties. He serves as outside general counsel for several corporations in various industries.

Ben is listed in Best Lawyers In America® and in Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business. He has been selected as a Lawyer of the Year in multiple areas including Mergers & Acquisitions Law, Project Finance, and Commercial Finance Law.

He has practiced at Watkins & Eager since graduating from law school in 1986. He currently serves as Vice-Chair of the firm's Executive Committee and a co-practice leader of the Commercial Lending and Finance Practice Group. Ben served as the firm's Managing Member from 2003 - 2015.

Along with Molly Jeffcoat Moody, Ben is a co-author of Commercial Finance 701, a continuing series on commercial loans written exclusively for the Mississippi Business Journal. The series is geared to lenders, developers, investors and transactional attorneys.

Watkins & Eager PLLC

49 Best Lawyers awards

Watkins & Eager PLLC logo

Overview

  • Ethnicity: White

  • University of Mississippi, J.D., graduated 1986
  • University of Mississippi, graduated 1983
  • University of Mississippi, graduated 1986

  • Mississippi, The Mississippi Bar
  • Mississippi, The Mississippi Bar
  • University of Mississippi, J.D., graduated 1986
  • University of Mississippi, graduated 1983
  • University of Mississippi, graduated 1986
  • Ethnicity: White

Client Testimonials

Given Ben's experience, he is very helpful in providing solutions that resolve issues that arise throughout the closing process. He is always available, day or night, and willing to do whatever necessary to meet his client's expectations. I would highly recommend Ben to any financial institution as well my clients that need legal expertise.

Binford Williams is very professional. He is easy to work with. He explains legal information in layman's terms.

Awards & Focus

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2026 - Corporate Governance Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2024 - Project Finance Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2022 - Project Finance Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2020 - Corporate Compliance Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2018 - Project Finance Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2017 - Mergers and Acquisitions Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2016 - Project Finance Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2014 - Commercial Finance Law
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Corporate Governance Law, Jackson, MS (2026)
  • Project Finance Law, Jackson, MS (2024)
  • Project Finance Law, Jackson, MS (2022)
  • Corporate Compliance Law, Jackson, MS (2020)
  • Project Finance Law, Jackson, MS (2018)
  • Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Jackson, MS (2017)
  • Project Finance Law, Jackson, MS (2016)
  • Commercial Finance Law, Jackson, MS (2014)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
  • Banking and Finance Law
  • Commercial Finance Law
  • Commercial Transactions / UCC Law
  • Corporate Compliance Law
  • Corporate Governance Law
  • Corporate Law
  • Derivatives and Futures Law
  • Mergers and Acquisitions Law
  • Project Finance Law
  • Real Estate Law
Additional Areas of Practice:
  • Economic Development Law
  • Land Use and Zoning Law
Special Focus:
  • Acquisition Finance
  • Bond Finance
  • Commercial
  • Corporate Finance
  • Development
  • Finance
  • General Corporate
  • Industrial Revenue Bond Financing
  • Land Use
  • Mergers & Acquisitions
  • Multi-Family Housing
  • Project Development
  • Real Estate
  • Real Property Law
  • Secured Transactions
  • Shopping Center Transactions
  • Tax Certiorari
  • Transactions
  • White-Collar Criminal Defense
  • Workouts and Restructurings
Awards:
  • Chambers USA-America's Leading Lawyers for Business, Real Estate (2007-2014)
  • Mid-South Super Lawyers® (2011 - 2013, Banking)
  • Best Lawyers in America®, Jackson, Mississippi Lawyer of the Year ( 2017 - Mergers & Acquisitions; 2016 - Project Finance Law; 2014 - Commercial Finance Law)
  • Best Lawyers in America® (2007-2017, Commercial Finance Law, Commercial Transactions/UCC Law, Corporate Law, Project Finance Law, Real Estate Law, Mergers & Acquisitions)

Additional Information

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Case History

Cases
  • Interest Rate Swaps (Derivatives)
Advise lenders and borrowers on interest rate swaps.
Transactions
  • Multi-Family Housing \ New Construction
Numerous new construction loans for multi-family housing: $100,000,000+
  • Commercial Loans (C&I)
Numerous and ongoing representation of banks on large secured C&I lending transactiosn ranging from $5MM - $100MM.
  • Letter of Credit - New Construction
Complex Letter of Credit transaction on large office building: $50,000,000+
  • Gaming - Senior Secured Credit Facility
Indian Gaming Facility - $78MM - commercial bank syndication - lead counsel to Arranger, Admin Agent and Lender
  • Mergers & Acquisitions
Regular representation of corporate clients acquiring related smaller companies and operations.

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