Matthew Rutherford

A business lawyer with a primary focus on middle market transactions, Jeff has extensive experience in mergers and acquisitions, finance and commercial transactions, corporate law, bank regulation, and legal opinions.

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®.

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...

Robert B. Ireland, III, was admitted to the Mississippi Bar in 2002 and is admitted to practice before all state and federal courts in Mississippi and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Robert has handled and assisted with all aspects of litigated matters, through trial and appeal, in both state and federal courts and also in arbitration proceedings. He has also appeared before municipal and county authorities on numerous zoning related matters. Robert has extensive lit...

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.

C. Stephen Stack, Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Construction Law, Litigation - Insurance and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. C. Stephen, 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 C. Stephen is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

Don Clark previously served as Chairman of Butler Snow and practices in the Public Finance, Tax Incentives and Credit Markets arena, primarily focusing on governmental relations, public finance and economic development incentives. He is AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell® and has been recognized by Chambers USA, Best Lawyers in America® and Mid-South Super Lawyers® for his work in governmental and municipal finance.

Julie is an equity shareholder at Hagwood and Tipton. She holds a Master's Degree in Health Law (LL.M. Health Law). As an attorney whose primary focus is health care law, Ms. Mitchell's practice encompasses such matters as: stark, fraud and abuse, Medicare and Medicaid payment issues, corporate compliance, CON law, provider and physician contracts, healthcare corporate matters, hospital law, DMEPOS matters, licensure and certification, HIPAA, nursing home law and healthcare integration. Ms. M...

Jim Crongeyer is a Managing Member of Watkins & Eager and has served in this capacity since 2008. He began the practice of law in Florida in 1995 after graduating cum laude from the University of Mississippi School of Law. He is admitted to practice in Mississippi (1997), Alabama (1996) and Florida (1995), and has actively practiced in all three states. Jim has significant litigation and trial experience in the general product liability litigation, mass tort, complex litigation and constr...