T.L. "Smith" Boykin III

John Fletcher is a partner in the Tax Practice Group. John focuses his practice primarily on state tax matters, encompassing Mississippi and Louisiana, as well as multi-state income, franchise, sales and use, and local ad valorem taxes. John has more than twenty-five years' experience in the legal, corporate, and accounting arenas. He is a contributor for Cooking with SALT, a legal blog committed to providing timely insights on recent legal and practical developments of concern to clients in ...

Alyson serves as Practice Group Leader for our Pharmaceutical, Medical Device and Healthcare Group. Frequently called upon to assemble teams and manage both coordinated proceedings and individual plaintiff cases, she represents pharmaceutical and medical device companies in product liability litigation across the country. “Alyson is a phenomenal case manager and a strong litigator.” Chambers USA, which ranked Alyson for nationwide Product Liability & Mass Torts (2025). The Leg...

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.

Paul has extensive experience in tax controversy matters. He is a fellow of the American College of Tax Counsel.

Richard G. Norris II is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Richard G., who practices law in Ridgeland, Mississippi, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Richard G. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Phil is a seasoned litigator who focuses most of his practice on matters within the construction industry. A certified arbitrator, he has provided counsel to some of the country’s most well-known companies. In over forty years of practice at Butler Snow, Phil has represented owners, contractors, architects and engineers in the construction industry, as well as defending national manufacturers in product liability litigation.

Edwin S. Gault, Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Environmental, Litigation - Insurance, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Edwin S., 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 Edwin S....

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 &...

Sarah Beth Wilson represents financial institutions and other corporate entities in business-bankruptcy cases and adversary proceedings as well. Her practice also includes representing clients in litigation involving defense against lender liability claims, property rights and interests, title and contractual disputes, and in connection with loan modifications, commercial foreclosure and property and equipment sales, and other creditors’ rights enforcement and collection matters. Sarah ...

Jim Crongeyer is a Managing Member of Watkins & Eager and has served in this capacity since 2008. He began the practice of law in Florida in 1995 after graduating cum laude from the University of Mississippi School of Law. He is admitted to practice in Mississippi (1997), Alabama (1996) and Florida (1995), and has actively practiced in all three states. Jim has significant litigation and trial experience in the general product liability litigation, mass tort, complex litigation and constr...