Best Lawyers in Mississippi, United States for Product Liability Litigation - Defendants
Alyson serves as Practice Group Leader for our Pharmaceutical, Medical Device and Healthcare Group. Frequently called upon to assemble teams and manage both coordinated proceedings and individual plaintiff cases, she represents pharmaceutical and medical device companies in product liability litigation across the country. “Alyson is a phenomenal case manager and a strong litigator.” Chambers USA, which ranked Alyson for nationwide Product Liability & Mass Torts (2025). The Leg...
Ed is a shareholder in the Gulfport (MS) office. Ed focuses his practice on defending matters involving general litigation, personal injury, complex litigation and professional liability. He has been recognized by the Mississippi Jury Verdict Reporter as one of the most prolific trial lawyers in Mississippi. Ed graduated with his Bachelor of Arts in Government from McNeese State University (LA). From there he earned his Juris Doctor from Mississippi College School of Law. Ed Taylor is a membe...
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...
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.
Mildred M. Morris was admitted to the Mississippi Bar in 1984. Her experience spans litigation, medical malpractice defense, health care and drug and medical device defense. Some cases of note include Warren v. Sandoz Pharmaceuticals Corp., 783 So.2d 735 (Miss. App. 2000) (American Law Journal Top 10 Defense Verdicts of the Year); Lindley v. Hamilton, 883 F.2d 360 (5th Cir. 1989); Herrington v. Spell, 692 So.2d 93 (Miss. 1997). She has tried cases to verdict by jury in numerous state and fede...
Thomas E. Williams is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Product Liability Litigation - Defendants and Professional Malpractice Law - Defendants. Thomas E., who practices law in Ridgeland, Mississippi, has been recognized since 2009. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Thomas E. 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...
Walter G. Watkins III 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. Walter G., 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 Walter G. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice...
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.
Tanya D. Ellis 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. Tanya D., 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 Tanya D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Jim Weems is a shareholder in the Jackson office of Daniel Coker Horton & Bell. He focuses his practice in the areas of General Litigation and Hospitality. When asked about his approach to a new matter, Jim says, “When entrusted with a new case by a client, I treat it as if I was a shepherd. That case may be one of many on my list, but to the client, it is the most important thing in the world. And I will treat it that way, from the beginning until I have taken it all the way throug...
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.