William "Ben" Skipper

Steve Wilson is an experienced corporate transactional lawyer providing legal counsel to clients on acquisitions, tax, economic development and finance transactions. Steve is a member of the firm's regional Corporate and Securities practice and is on the Economic Development Team and State and Local Tax Team in the Jackson, Mississippi office. Steve has more than 20 years of experience handling corporate transactional and state and local tax matters, including business acquisitions, state and...

Thomas R. Julian is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law, Litigation - Insurance, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Thomas R., who practices law in Madison, Mississippi, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Thomas R. 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.

Scott practices primarily in the areas of white-collar criminal defense, asset forfeiture litigation, criminal appellate litigation, criminal and civil healthcare litigation, False Claims Act litigation, and governmental and corporate investigations. He has represented clients who were under state or federal criminal investigation, successfully guiding them through the process and avoiding charges. Scott has trial experience defending criminal cases and represents clients in the federal and s...

“Orlando Richmond is highly recognized for his skills as a trial attorney.” (Chambers USA Editorial, 2025, where Rod is ranked for Nationwide Product Liability & Mass Torts and Litigation: General Commercial – Mississippi) “He’s just phenomenal in the courtroom.” “He connects well with juries.” (Chambers USA Editorial, 2023) “Richmond was described by one industry competitor as having ‘one of the best courtroom presences in the i...

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...

Ashley focuses her practice on Public Finance, State and Local Taxation, Tax Credits and Tax. She is frequently a speaker for various legal conferences, seminars and CLEs on those topics.

James M. Tyrone is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants and Qui Tam Law. James M., who practices law in Jackson, Mississippi, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which James M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Parker serves as the Practice Group Leader of the Firm’s Regulatory and Government Relations Practice Group. Parker’s practice includes representing a variety of state and local governmental bodies or private parties needing regulatory approvals and/or economic development incentives before such bodies. As a result, Parker has a breadth of experience and knowledge in navigating regulatory, administrative economic development and litigation matters for both public and private clients.

Will Manuel focuses his practice primarily on commercial and employment litigation. He has handled various disputes for both large and small businesses in both Mississippi and other jurisdictions. Will's clients include numerous manufacturers and commercial interests as well as various insurance and financial services companies. He has worked to defend these clients in both MDL litigation and individual actions brought in Mississippi. Will also has experience in advising businesses on issues ...