Powell G. "Gee" Ogletree, Jr.

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...

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.

Sai has extensive experience counseling businesses dealing with a wide variety of antitrust issues, from pricing and distribution issues to issues relating to collaborations, joint ventures and acquisitions. He also represents buyers and sellers in business transfers, management buy-out transactions, and business reorganizations. Sai has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America and Mid-South Super Lawyers for his corporate law work.

Jamie G. Houston, III, was admitted to the Mississippi Bar in 1976. He has been admitted to practice in the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, the United States District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Mississippi, and the United States Tax Court. His experience includes practice in corporate and business law, tax and estate planning and administration. Jamie is a Certified Public Accountant (Retired).

John Giddens is the founding member of Giddens Law Firm, a personal injury law firm in Jackson, Mississippi. He established the firm in 1999, dedicated to those who cannot help themselves. Mr. Giddens is a victim’s rights advocate who chooses to represent the interests of individuals over corporations. His practice is devoted to helping Mississippians seek justice after an accident caused by negligence. Mr. Giddens has extensive experience in several areas of legal practice, including l...

Johnny has represented buyers and sellers in business acquisitions in a multitude of industries, including: software/technology, medical device, building supply, retail, advertising and manufacturing concerns. He previously served as Practice Group Leader for the Business Services Group.

C. Joyce Hall was admitted to the Mississippi Bar in 1987 and the Louisiana bar in 1995. Her experience includes commercial transactions, public finance, corporate and health care law. In 1994, Joyce was named Mississippi's Outstanding Young Lawyer and one of Mississippi's 50 Leading Business Women in 2009. She is involved in several professional and civic organizations, and following Hurricane Katrina, provided pro bono work to victims through the Mississippi Bar.

Ben serves as General Counsel representing the firm on a variety of issues, including ethics and risk management matters. Ben is also a member of the firm’s Commercial Litigation Group where he focuses his practice on director and officer defense, trade secret litigation, contract litigation, intellectual property litigation, administrative law, and aviation law.

Over 43 years’ experience representing banks and financial institutions in a wide variety of business and regulatory matters including compliance, regulatory enforcement actions, bank products and services, bank formation, mergers and acquisitions, and commercial and real estate finance transactions.