William F. Ray

William F. Ray


Watkins & Eager PLLC

Recognized since 2009

Jackson, Mississippi

Practice Areas

Bet-the-Company Litigation

Commercial Litigation

Litigation - Banking and Finance

Litigation - ERISA

Litigation - Securities

Litigation - Trusts and Estates

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2025 - Litigation - ERISA
Navigate to map location for William F. Ray Call William F. Ray at 601-965-1900
Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2025 - Litigation - ERISA Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2024 - Litigation - Securities Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2024 - Litigation - Trusts and Estates Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2023 - Bet-the-Company Litigation Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2022 - Litigation - Trusts and Estates Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2021 - Litigation - Banking and Finance Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2020 - Litigation - Securities Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2018 - Litigation - Banking and Finance Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2013 - Litigation - Banking and Finance
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William F. Ray was admitted to the Mississippi Bar in 1986. His experience spans from commercial litigation, complex litigation and banking, securities and financial services to life, health and disability insurance and ERISA and employee benefit claims. His cases of note include Raines v. Bottrell Ins. Agency, Inc., 992 So.2d 642, 2008 WL 1869290, 2008 Miss. App. LEXIS 274; 27 I.E.R. Cas. (BNA) 1350 (Miss. App. 2008); Estate of Bratton v. National Union Fire Ins. Co., 215 F.3d 516, 2000 U.S. App. LEXIS 14187, 24 Employee Benefits Cas. (BNA) 2510 (5th Cir. 2000); Mississippi Gulf Coast Regional Wastewater Authority v. SLB, NASD case # 93-03411; First Investors Corp. v. Rayner, 738 So. 2d 228, 1999 Miss. LEXIS 172, 38 U.C.C. Rep. Serv. 2d (Callaghan) 963, (Miss. 1999). William is listed in both The Best Lawyers in America and Chambers USA for Litigation.

Contact & Links
Location
  • The Emporium Building
    400 East Capitol Street
    P.O. Box 650
    Jackson, MS 39205-0650
Education
  • University of Mississippi, J.D., graduated 1988
  • University of Mississippi, BA, graduated 1983
Bar Admissions
  • Mississippi, Mississippi Bar

Watkins & Eager PLLC
Headquarters: Jackson, Mississippi

51 The Best Lawyers in America® awards

6 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America awards

Best Law Firms Badge Visit Website View Firm Profile

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2025 - Litigation - ERISA Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2024 - Litigation - Securities Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2024 - Litigation - Trusts and Estates Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2023 - Bet-the-Company Litigation Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2022 - Litigation - Trusts and Estates Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2021 - Litigation - Banking and Finance Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2020 - Litigation - Securities Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2018 - Litigation - Banking and Finance Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2013 - Litigation - Banking and Finance
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Litigation - ERISA, Jackson, MS (2025)
  • Litigation - Securities, Jackson, MS (2024)
  • Litigation - Trusts and Estates, Jackson, MS (2024)
  • Bet-the-Company Litigation, Jackson, MS (2023)
  • Litigation - Trusts and Estates, Jackson, MS (2022)
  • Litigation - Banking and Finance, Jackson, MS (2021)
  • Litigation - Securities, Jackson, MS (2020)
  • Litigation - Banking and Finance, Jackson, MS (2018)
  • Litigation - Banking and Finance, Jackson, MS (2013)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025 for work in:
  • Bet-the-Company Litigation
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Litigation - Banking and Finance
  • Litigation - ERISA
  • Litigation - Securities
  • Litigation - Trusts and Estates
Special Focus:
  • Banking
  • Commercial Disputes
  • Complex Litigation
  • Covenants Not to Compete
  • ERISA
  • Insurance
  • Securities
  • Trade Secrets
Awards:
  • 2012 Benchmark Litigation: Recommended Mississippi Litigation Lawyer
  • Mid-South Super Lawyers® (2006-2014, Business Litigation, Employee Benefits/ERISA, Banking; 2011 - 2014 Top 50 in Mississippi)
  • Chambers USA-America's Leading Lawyers for Business (2009-2014, Litigation)
  • The Best Lawyers in America® (2009-2015, Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Litigation - Banking & Finance)
Additional Areas of Practice:
  • Arbitration
  • Litigation - Regulatory Enforcement (SEC, Telecom, Energy)

Publications

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