William S. Painter

Clint Vanderver is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law. Clint, who practices law in Ridgeland, Mississippi, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Clint is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Chase is a native Mississippian with over 30 years of litigation and courtroom experience. He focuses his practice on commercial litigation, bank and lender liability litigation, professional liability claims, intellectual property litigation, environmental and toxic tort claims, personal injury defense, insurance, wills and estates, and financial products litigation. Chase also manages a large construction practice representing owners, contractors, and subcontractors in all aspects of constr...

Simon Bailey has represented clients in a variety of matters, including consumer protection cases, product liability cases, and commercial cases involving insurers, lenders, accountants, and other professionals. He has participated in litigation across the country at the trial and appellate stages. Simon also has an active pro bono practice and is a past recipient of the Jackson Young Lawyers Association’s Pro Bono Award. In addition to his law practice, Simon is involved in community a...

Clifford B. Ammons, Jr. was admitted to the Mississippi Bar in 2008. His practice is dedicated to the areas of workers' compensation, tort and general litigation and appellate advocacy. During law school, Clifford was a member of the Law Review and Moot Court Board and served as an intern for the Honorable T. Kenneth Griffis, Mississippi Court of Appeals. He received Am Jur awards for Workers' Compensation, Wills and Estates, and Law Office Management.

Walter J. Brand heads the Employment and Labor Practice Group at Watkins & Eager PLLC, where he has defended employment litigation for more than twenty years. Walter approaches his practice with the view that successful defense of employment claims begins long before a lawsuit is filed and requires three essential components: (1) fair, accurate and documented handling of personnel actions based on updated employer policies; (2) cogent explanation of employer action before administrative a...

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...

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...

Kathy K. Smith was admitted to the Mississippi Bar in 1996. She has represented local and national clients in all types of litigation, including mass torts, intellectual property, commercial, personal injury, insurance, products liability, medical malpractice, and environmental matters. She has defended manufacturers of lead paint, mobile homes, and heavy equipment. She has defended an employer involved in extensive PCB litigation and an insurance company sued in asbestos litigation. She has ...

Walter G. Watkins, Jr. is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Environmental, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Walter G., who practices law in Jackson, Mississippi, has been recognized since 2007. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Walter G. is held by other top lawyers in the same ...

Jennifer M. Studebaker is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Jennifer M., who practices law in Jackson, Mississippi, has been recognized since 2017. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jennifer M. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.