Richard M. Crump

Susan L. Steffey was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1987 and to the Mississippi Bar in 1991. She is admitted to practice in all state and federal courts in Mississippi and Florida and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Before joining Watkins & Eager in 1991, Susan practiced in Tampa, Florida, with the law firm of Sessums & Mason (1987-1990), and served as law clerk to the Honorable Rhesa H. Barksdale, United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit (1990-19...

Linda Keng is a partner in the Tax Practice Group. She focuses her practice on ERISA and employee benefits, executive and deferred compensation, trusts and estate planning, taxation, and business transactions. Linda represents for-profit and tax-exempt employers in all aspects of executive compensation and employee benefits, including qualified retirement plans, non-qualified executive compensation and equity plans, welfare plans, regulatory issues and disputes, and other employee benefit-rel...

C. Phillip Buffington, Jr. advises financial institutions throughout the United States on federal and state banking laws and regulations. For more than 30 years, he has served as a trusted advisor to community, regional and national financial institutions, helping them to assess and analyze regulatory and litigation risks. Phil advises on a full range of issues, including corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, expansion and divestitures, de novo formations and charter conversions, ba...

Jim Pettis is a member of the Firm’s Trust, Estates & Personal Planning Service Team. He concentrates his practice in the areas of estate planning, probate, Elder Law, ERISA and employee benefits, state and federal taxation, business law including contracts, general corporate merger, reorganizations and acquisitions.

Joseph W. Gill is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Insurance Law and Litigation - Insurance. Joseph W. practices law in Jackson, Mississippi Best Lawyers has recognized Joseph W. Gill since 2021. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Joseph W. Gill is held by other lawyers.

R. James (Jimmy) Young was named to The Top 50 Mississippi attorneys 2010 and 2012 lists, having received one of the highest point totals in the Mid-South Super Lawyers nomination, research and blue ribbon review process. He was identified as one of the Top 50 Lawyers in Mississippi in the Leaders in Law 2011 by the Mississippi Business Journal. As a Best Lawyer in America for the past fifteen years, Jimmy was also named by his peers as the Best Lawyers in America 2013 Jackson, MS Trusts &...

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...

Christian B. Waddell is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Public Finance Law. Christian B. practices law in Jackson, Mississippi Best Lawyers has recognized Christian B. Waddell since 2013. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Christian B. Waddell is held by other lawyers.

Consistently recognized by Best Lawyers in America® and Mid-South Super Lawyers® in the areas of Product Liability and Commercial Litigation, Mike is also among an elite group of lawyers recognized by Who’s Who Legal: Product Liability Defense as the best in the United States. Mike is AV®-Preeminent™ Peer Review rated by Martindale-Hubbell® , is a member of the Product Liability Advisory Council and International Association of Defense Counsel and serves on the Ste...

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...