Best Lawyers Near You in Madison, Mississippi for Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants
David Ayers was admitted to the Mississippi Bar in 1983 and is admitted to all state and federal courts in Mississippi and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. He also has handled cases in a number of other states under pro hac vice privileges. David's experience includes commercial litigation, premises litigation and general personal injury litigation, with an emphasis on automotive, heavy equipment, industrial equipment and recreational product litigation. His cases of ...
Mitch McGuffey is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Commercial Litigation, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Mitch practices law in Jackson, Mississippi Best Lawyers has recognized Mitch McGuffey since 2024. 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 Mitch McGuffe...
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 ...
Sam is a member of Butler Snow’s Commercial Litigation group. He brings experience in a broad range of construction law, business litigation and appellate matters. Sam regularly advises clients on front-end issues, such as contract drafting and licensing requirements; litigates and arbitrates a variety of construction, commercial, and premises liability disputes; and handles all levels of appeals from administrative agencies to state Supreme Courts and the Fifth and Sixth Circuit Courts...
Kevin J. White is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants. Kevin J. practices law in Ridgeland, Mississippi Best Lawyers has recognized Kevin J. White since 2027. 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 Kevin J. White is held by other lawyers.
Lewis W. Bell was admitted to the Mississippi Bar in 1987. His experience spans from general product liability, general personal injury litigation, and premises litigation to commercial and franchise litigation. His cases of note include Rials v. Philip Morris, USA Inc., et al. 2007 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 12420, February 21, 2007; Rawls v. Friedman's Inc., 2003 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 21333, June 27, 2003; Everett v. Friedman's Inc., 2005 U.S. Dist LEXIS 23345, August 12, 2005; Allen v. Tyson Foods, Inc.,...
Jim Crongeyer served as a Managing Member of the firm from 2008 to 2023. He began practicing 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 across multiple jurisdictions (Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Texas, Nebraska, New Jersey, Kansas, Kentucky...
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...
Caroline M. Upchurch is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Commercial Litigation, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Caroline M. practices law in Jackson, Mississippi Best Lawyers has recognized Caroline M. Upchurch since 2020. 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 w...
Jennifer is a partner in Balch’s Jackson office and holds licenses in Texas, Arkansas and Mississippi. She is an experienced litigation attorney who practices primary in the areas of product liability, toxic and environmental torts, wrongful death, and negligence cases. For more than 18 years Jennifer has defended a myriad of product manufacturers and possesses specialized knowledge in silica litigation defense. Jennifer has defended thousands of silica claims across the Southeast for l...
Margaret Z. Smith is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Margaret Z. practices law in Ridgeland, Mississippi Best Lawyers has recognized Margaret Z. Smith since 2027. 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 Margaret Z. Smith is h...
Joshua J. Metcalf is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Litigation - Environmental, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Joshua J. practices law in Jackson, Mississippi Best Lawyers has recognized Joshua J. Metcalf since 2019. 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 whic...
Stephanie M. Rippee is admitted to the Mississippi and Tennessee Bars. For more than 20 years she has sought to creatively and efficiently resolve legal matters for clients. Her practice focuses on commercial litigation and product liability litigation. She is a recognized public speaker and author and has been selected by Mid-South Super Lawyers as one of the Top 50 Lawyers in Mississippi.
Jennifer M. Studebaker is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Jennifer M. practices law in Jackson, Mississippi Best Lawyers has recognized Jennifer M. Studebaker since 2017. 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 Jennifer M. St...
Brian B. Hannula is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Commercial Litigation, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Brian B. practices law in Jackson, Mississippi Best Lawyers has recognized Brian B. Hannula since 2017. 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 Brian ...
Nicholas C. Giallourakis is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Nicholas C. practices law in Jackson, Mississippi Best Lawyers has recognized Nicholas C. Giallourakis since 2016. 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 th...
Our Methodology
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
The Process
Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.