Best Lawyers in Mississippi, United States for Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants

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.,...

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...

Walter G. Watkins, Jr. is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Litigation - Environmental, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Walter G. practices law in Jackson, Mississippi Best Lawyers has recognized Walter G. Watkins, Jr. since 2007. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The r...

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...

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...

Jay practices within the Products, Catastrophic and Industrial Litigation Group. He focuses his practice on product liability litigation, toxic tort litigation, environmental litigation, catastrophic events and major claims, incident response and evidence preservation, OSHA and general litigation defense.

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...

Corey has practiced law with Watkins & Eager since he was admitted to the bar in 2004. He is admitted to practice before all state and federal courts in Mississippi, all federal courts in Arkansas and before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. He has also been admitted pro hac vice in numerous state and federal courts around the country. Corey's diverse litigation practice has involved representing clients in every phase of litigation-including trials, appeals and alternative...

La'Verne practices within Butler Snow's Pharmaceutical, Medical Device and Healthcare Litigation group and serves as the Chair of the firm’s Inclusivity Committee. She is experienced in defending cases involving product liability, medical negligence, premises liability, bad faith insurance, employment disputes and legal malpractice. Chambers USA, which recognized La’Verne for Litigation: General Commercial – Mississippi in 2023 and 2024, states that “[s]he is very well...

Christine Crockett White is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Litigation - Labor and Employment, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Christine Crockett practices law in Jackson, Mississippi Best Lawyers has recognized Christine Crockett White 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 t...

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...

Thomas R. Julian is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Insurance Law, Litigation - Insurance, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants and Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants. Thomas R. practices law in Madison, Mississippi Best Lawyers has recognized Thomas R. Julian since 2021. 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 ...

"He is an effective negotiator and effectively uses relationships to obtain optimal results for clients. He has early recognition of cases for trial settings and/or settlement, sees the big picture and creates strategies for the future to protect the client." -Patricia Bligh, Chubb & Son, Inc.

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 ...

Tanya D. Ellis 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. Tanya D. practices law in Jackson, Mississippi Best Lawyers has recognized Tanya D. Ellis 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 i...

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 ...