Michael N. "Mike" Watts

J. Cal Mayo, Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bet-the-Company Litigation and Commercial Litigation. J. Cal, who practices law in Oxford, Mississippi, has been recognized since 2001. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which J. Cal is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Steven E. Farese, Sr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: General Practice, Criminal Defense: White-Collar and DUI / DWI Defense. Steven E., who practices law in Ashland, Mississippi, has been recognized since 1995. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Steven E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Kari is a trial attorney and has defended some of the world’s largest manufacturers in courtrooms across the country. She recently served as lead and co-lead trial counsel for Monsanto in Roundup cases in California and Missouri. In 2022, she served as lead trial counsel for Johnson & Johnson in Arizona and Arkansas, winning defense verdicts in both pelvic mesh product liability trials. Between those two trial wins, she served as trial counsel in Mississippi in a balloon implant pro...

George Read is a shareholder in the firm’s Oxford office and joined the firm’s Jackson office shortly after graduation from law school in 1990. George opened the firm’s Oxford office in 1995. George is Chair of the Alternative Dispute Resolution practice group and limits his practice of law to the areas of Workers’ Compensation and Alternative Dispute Resolution. Professional Affiliations American Bar Association American Inns of Court, Williams C. Keady Chapter Claims...

Anthony L. “Tony” Farese is 55 years of age and is the President of the firm of Farese, Farese & Farese, P.A. in Ashland, Mississippi. He received a B.PA. from the University of Mississippi in 1983 and his J.D. degree from the University of Mississippi School of Law in 1985. He was a member of the Moot Court Board and Phi Delta Phi Legal Fraternity. He has practiced law for 31 years with the family firm in Ashland. He is licensed to practice law in the states of Mississippi an...

Robert Stacy has trial experience in a variety of practice areas, but concentrates his practice in the areas of premises liability, professional liability, and hospitality law. An accomplished trial lawyer, Robert has tried many jury cases to verdict in both state and federal courts over the past 25 years. Robert is the Co-Chair of the firm’s Hospitality practice group and is a member of the Steering Committee of ALFA International’s Hospitality Law practice group. He is also a me...

Pope S. Mallette is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Municipal Law. Pope S., who practices law in Oxford, Mississippi, has been recognized since 2010. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Pope S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Mark Halbert practices in the area of general civil litigation and labor and employment. He has more than 20 years of litigation experience, with extensive experience in employment litigation, tort claims, commercial litigation and estate disputes. Mark represents management in a variety of employment matters including employment discrimination claims, wrongful termination, fair labor standards and practices, and employment policies. He represents business clients in contract negotiations, br...

Timothy M. Peeples is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Labor Law - Management, Litigation - Labor and Employment, Litigation - Municipal and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Timothy M., who practices law in Oxford, Mississippi, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Timothy M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Paul Edwards represents real estate developers, investors, family corporations, and lending institutions. Mr. Edwards's main focus is transactional work, concentrating on corporate and real estate law. Recent representation matters as lead counsel: Negotiated and structured sale of $115 million company Advised company in regulatory matters with the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) Lender counsel in $30 million asset-based loan in Florida Negotiation and sale of multiple shopping centers througho...