Michael D. Simmons

Bridgforth Rutledge practices in the area of business, commercial real estate, and finance. He practices primarily in the areas of business, finance and real estate, including entity formation, leasing, lending, mergers, asset conveyances, real property conveyances, franchising, intellectual property work and various other commercial transactions. He is the practice coordinator of the business practice group in the Jackson, Mississippi office.

Caroline K. Ivanov is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Caroline K., who practices law in Jackson, Mississippi, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Caroline K. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Kelly D. Simpkins is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Insurance Law. Kelly D., 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 Kelly D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Dale G. Russell is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law, Litigation - Insurance and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Dale G., who practices law in Ridgeland, Mississippi, has been recognized since 2017. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Dale G. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

F. Hall Bailey is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants and Workers' Compensation Law - Employers. F. Hall, who practices law in Ridgeland, Mississippi, has been recognized since 2010. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which F. Hall is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Thomas R. Julian is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law, Litigation - Insurance, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Thomas R., 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 Thomas R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jay practices within the Products, Catastrophic and Industrial Litigation Group. He focuses his practice on product liability litigation, toxic tort litigation, environmental litigation, catastrophic events and major claims, incident response and evidence preservation, OSHA and general litigation defense.

Mike Hurst is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Mike, who practices law in Flowood, Mississippi, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Mike 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...

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...