Best Lawyers in Mississippi, United States for Product Liability Litigation - Defendants
During her over 40 years of trial experience, Jones has served as national trial counsel representing various corporations and has tried cases throughout the United States. In many of these instances, she has served as lead counsel in bellwether trials. She is also a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers.
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 ...
Alex’s experience includes litigation matters in state and federal courts across the country. He is currently handling disputes in Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio, Minnesota, and Kentucky, and has prior litigation experience in Oklahoma, Missouri, Louisiana, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. He is comfortable litigating beyond Mississippi and working with local counsel as necessary to achieve the client’s goals. Alex’s ...
Chris defends pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers in “bet the company” mass tort litigations. With extensive experience in managing large-scale litigation, Chris brings to the table an eye for streamlining workflows, improving efficiencies, and implementing cost-reduction measures. His work with discovery teams and vendors, in particular, has been recognized by clients and colleagues alike, making him a trusted advisor and leader in the legal community. The Legal 500 U...
Jennifer A. Rogers is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Jennifer A., 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 Jennifer A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Kaara Lind is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Insurance, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Kaara, who practices law in Gulfport, Mississippi, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kaara is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
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...
Jimmy B. Wilkins is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law, Litigation - Insurance, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Jimmy B., who practices law in Jackson, Mississippi, has been recognized since 2011. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jimmy B. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Michael W. Ulmer is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Legal Malpractice Law - Defendants, Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants, Mediation, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Michael W., who practices law in Jackson, Mississippi, has been recognized since 1993. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high es...
Roy is proactive in his approach to cases from the minute a file is referred. He makes an early analysis as to liability and damages and then works with the client to determine the best and most cost-effective strategy toward a favorable resolution, appropriate dismissal motion or trial of the case. Professional Affiliations ALFA International American Bar Association Association of Transport Law, Tort and Insurance Practice Committee Claims & Litigation Management Alliance (CLM) Defense ...
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.
Alison O'Neal McMinn is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. Alison O'Neal, who practices law in Jackson, Mississippi, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Alison O'Neal is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal p...
M. Brant Pettis is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Construction Law, Litigation - Construction and Product Liability Litigation - Defendants. M. Brant, who practices law in Gulfport, Mississippi, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which M. Brant is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
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...
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.