P. Sharkey "Sharkey" Burke

Tommie is a member and former Practice Group Leader for the Regulatory and Government Relations Group. His practice is focused on redistricting and voting rights, administrative law, government relations and environmental law.

Michael Williams is a partner in the Jackson, Mississippi, office, where he has developed a diverse state and federal court litigation practice. Since joining the firm in 2015, Michael has litigated claims involving mass torts, commercial contract disputes, real estate transactions, and employment matters. Michael also has experience in product litigation, representing clients in the automotive, heavy equipment, consumer and recreational product arenas. He is prepared to protect his clients&r...

Bailey R. Fair was admitted to the Mississippi Bar in 2012. His practice is focused on commercial lending and finance, government relations, public utilities, and real estate. While in law school, Bailey served as Vice-Chairman of the Moot Court Board and was selected to the Order of Barristers. He has earned the ANSI-accredited Certified Information Privacy Professional/United States (CIPP/US) credential through the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP).

Tommy Shepherd is a partner in the Corporate Practice Group. He advises businesses, Native American tribes, and financial institutions on a wide range of commercial and transactional matters. Tommy represents a broad spectrum of clients in all types of commercial and regulated matters. He has extensive experience in acquisitions, public-private leases, financings, land-use approvals, statutory and regulatory interpretation and compliance, operations, and administrative hearings. An accomplish...

Candace Gregory is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Candace, who practices law in Flowood, Mississippi, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Candace is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Walter J. Brand heads the Employment and Labor Practice Group at Watkins & Eager PLLC, where he has defended employment litigation for more than twenty years. Walter approaches his practice with the view that successful defense of employment claims begins long before a lawsuit is filed and requires three essential components: (1) fair, accurate and documented handling of personnel actions based on updated employer policies; (2) cogent explanation of employer action before administrative a...

“Orlando Richmond is highly recognized for his skills as a trial attorney.” (Chambers USA Editorial, 2025, where Rod is ranked for Nationwide Product Liability & Mass Torts and Litigation: General Commercial – Mississippi) “He’s just phenomenal in the courtroom.” “He connects well with juries.” (Chambers USA Editorial, 2023) “Richmond was described by one industry competitor as having ‘one of the best courtroom presences in the i...

Aileen Thomas is a partner in the Tax Practice Group and a member of the firm’s board of directors. Aileen is a nationally recognized finance attorney with a focus on New Markets Tax Credit transactions, Historic Tax Credit transactions, tax exempt bond transactions and other sophisticated debt financing transactions. Aileen’s clients include national, regional and community banks, underwriting firms, investment funds, community development entities and community development finan...

Gilbert has represented clients in in all aspects of retirement and health and welfare benefit plans – design, administration, compliance, taxation, employee communications, fiduciary responsibility, defense of benefit claims, examinations, ruling applications, correction program filings and merger and acquisition transactions.