Trace McRaney

WILLIAM L. MCDONOUGH, JR., was born in Oxford, Mississippi, July 1, 1950 and graduated from the University of Mississippi in 1972. Following service in the U.S. Navy, returned to the University of Mississippi School of Law, graduating in 1979, joining the firm of Bryant & Stennis in Gulfport, Mississippi. Member: Mississippi State Bar (Board of Bar Commissioners, 1999-2002); Harrison County Bar Association (President, 1996); Captain, United States Navy Reserve, 1972- 1996. Member of the B...

Ben H. Stone is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Energy Law, Gaming Law and Utilities Law. Ben H. practices law in Gulfport, Mississippi Best Lawyers has recognized Ben H. Stone since 1993. 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 Ben H. Stone is held by other lawyers.

K. C. Hightower is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Litigation - Real Estate. K. C. practices law in Gulfport, Mississippi Best Lawyers has recognized K. C. Hightower since 2023. 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 K. C. Hightower is held by other lawyers.

Todd G. Crawford has handled a broad scope of complex litigation, ranging from toxic exposures to marine disasters to catastrophic oilfield blowouts. Todd remains busy splitting his time between the firm’s Houston office and New Orleans office, while still managing the Gulfport office allowing him to easily represent his clients all along the Gulf Coast region. Todd's practice includes general maritime law matters, including arrests and attachments, cargo claims, limitation of liability...

Scott Ellzey practices in the areas of commercial litigation and general insurance defense matters involving both third-party liability claims and first-party coverage issues in state and federal court. Additionally, he has extensive experience defending tort claim liability matters, as well as transportation litigation, municipal liability defense claims, products liability claims and professional liability matters. Scott served as an adjunct instructor at the University of Mississippi as pa...

RICKY J. COX currently serves as the Managing Partner of the Gulfport office of Balch & Bingham LLP and is a member of the firm’s Energy; Corporate & Securities; and Real Estate, Lending and Commercial practice groups. Mr. Cox enjoys a diverse practice and regularly represents clients in a wide variety of utility and commercial matters, including energy and utility litigation; energy regulation and transactions; water and sewer utility regulation, transactions, and litigation; b...

Jim Wyly practices in the area of litigation. He handles a diverse litigation practice in Mississippi and Louisiana. As a litigator, he has defended a variety of tort claims, including serious personal injury, property damage, and wrongful death claims arising from transportation, professional liability (legal, medical, accountant, insurance and real estate agents/brokers), products liability, toxic exposure, maritime (Jones Act and general maritime law), construction (architects, engineers, ...

Kaara Lind is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Litigation - Insurance, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Kaara practices law in Gulfport, Mississippi Best Lawyers has recognized Kaara Lind since 2026. 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 Kaara Lind is held by other l...

Heather Murphy is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Insurance Law and Professional Malpractice Law - Defendants. Heather practices law in Gulfport, Mississippi Best Lawyers has recognized Heather Murphy since 2023. 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 Heather Murphy is held by other lawyers.

Jonathan P. Dyal is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Commercial Litigation and Litigation - Land Use and Zoning. Jonathan P. practices law in Gulfport, Mississippi Best Lawyers has recognized Jonathan P. Dyal since 2018. 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 Jonathan P. Dyal is held by other lawyers.