Robert T. Jackson Jr.

Betty Ruth Fox is Counsel with Watkins & Eager focusing in the areas of environmental law and bankruptcy. From 1993 to 2002, Betty Ruth was a Senior Attorney with the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality and worked in regulation and enforcement in every MDEQ Program Area, coordinating with appropriate federal, state and local agencies and/or governing authorities. Beginning in 2002, Betty Ruth worked as a Trial Attorney with the Department of Justice/U. S. Trustee Program in ci...

Tara P. Ellis is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Gaming Law. Tara P., who practices law in Jackson, Mississippi, has been recognized since 2013. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Tara P. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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

After graduating from the University of Virginia Law School in 1975, Mr. Cocke moved to Clarksdale, MS to begin practicing in a general litigation firm. In 1982, Mr. Cocke and Mr. Merkel left that firm and established Merkel & Cocke, P.A., and since that time the emphasis of Mr. Cocke's practice has progressed more and more toward medical malpractice. At the present time his practice is exclusively devoted to handling medical negligence cases for the plaintiff, either as a result of direc...

Peter C. Abide is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Peter C., who practices law in Biloxi, Mississippi, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Peter C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Joseph G. Baladi was admitted to the Missouri Bar in 2000 and the Mississippi Bar in 2001. Since joining Watkins & Eager, Joe's experience has included numerous pharmaceutical litigations, medical malpractice bench and jury trials, and product liability trials. Joe's involved in several professional organizations and serves as co-chair of Watkins & Eager's Mass Tort and Repetitive Exposure practice group. Joe regularly speaks and presents on the subjects of science at trial, Daubert i...

Charles M. Merkel, Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants, Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs and Product Liability Litigation - Plaintiffs. Charles M., who practices law in Clarksdale, Mississippi, has been recognized since 1989. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Charles M. is held by other top lawyers in the ...

Kelly Blackwood is a member of the firm’s Environmental Practice Group and the firm’s Litigation Practice Group. Her practice involves regulatory and litigation work with a wide range of experience in environmental permitting and enforcement matters. Kelly has a strong working relationship with the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality and works regularly with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Kelly has represented clients before Mississippi state courts, the Mis...

Willard Benton Gregg is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law and Family Law Mediation. Willard Benton, who practices law in Ridgeland, Mississippi, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Willard Benton is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Debbie is a member of the Finance, Real Estate and Restructuring Group and focuses her practice on real estate development and finance.