Michael N. "Mike" Watts

Andrew V. Garner is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Corporate Law. Andrew V., who practices law in Tupelo, Mississippi, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Andrew V. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

John Booth Farese is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants and Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. John Booth, who practices law in Ashland, Mississippi, has been recognized since 1999. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which John Booth 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.

John Wheeler serves as president and litigation chair for the firm. He practices exclusively in litigation focusing on the defense of medical and professional liability claims, railroad liability claims, pharmaceutical and product liability litigation and other personal injury and general litigation matters. John has defended liability claims and litigation for health care providers, railroad entities, and major pharmaceutical companies in federal and state jurisdictions throughout the United...

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...

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...

Casey is a proud graduate of Booneville High School, Northeast Mississippi Community College, and Mississippi State University, where he graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. In December 2004, Casey received his Juris Doctor from the University of Mississippi School of Law, with honors. After passing the February 2005 Mississippi Bar Exam, Casey began practicing law with his father, Duncan Lott. He was admitted to practice in the State and Federal Cour...

Paul has tried many lawsuits --- in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Florida, Kentucky, Kansas, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Arizona and Texas. His products liability trial experience includes pharmaceutical and medical device cases for Johnson & Johnson, Janssen, McNeil and Ethicon, and automotive cases for General Motors, Mazda and Nissan.

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...

Shea S. Scott is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Civil Rights Law, Commercial Litigation, Insurance Law, Litigation - Insurance and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Shea S., who practices law in Oxford, Mississippi, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Shea S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.