- Find a Lawyer
- /
- United States
- /
- Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants
- /
- Mississippi
Find Lawyers in Mississippi, United States for Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants
Practice Area Overview
It is important for a defendant not to ignore the deadline to answer the complaint, because doing so can lead a court to decide in favor of the plaintiff and award money damages. Many times, a defendant will have insurance that covers any allegations being made in a complaint. For example, if you are being sued for an auto accident, you probably have car insurance. If someone was injured on your property, you probably have homeowner’s insurance. If you believe you have insurance for the claims being made against you, immediately contact your insurance agent to report the claim and to provide information about the complaint. Failing to do this could result in an insurance company refusing to pay for any money damages awarded in the lawsuit. If you do not have insurance for the claims being made against you, it is important to contact an attorney so that they can protect your interests in court.
When you are a defendant in a civil lawsuit (a matter not involving a crime) you need to consult with a civil defense attorney who specializes in litigation (i.e., matters pending in court). Civil defense attorneys tend to specialize in a specific area. Some examples include: auto claims, homeowner claims, business/contract claims, property disputes, etc. Before hiring a lawyer, you should determine if a particular lawyer has experience in the subject matter relevant to the complaint. If you have insurance that covers a specific claim, your insurance company will typically hire and pay the lawyer for you.
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 ...
After graduating from the Ole Miss Law School in May 1976, Bob spent one year (1976-1977) as a law clerk to the Chief Judge for the U. S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Upon completion of his clerkship, he immediately entered the practice of law focusing his practice in Litigation. For 42 years he has been actively engaged in a general trial practice in all Mississippi courts, state and federal. He is a former President of the Mississippi Defense Lawyers and an active member of the F...
Walter represents a variety of individual and corporate clients in large, complex commercial litigation, arbitration, and personal injury litigation. Walter's primary area of expertise lies in the litigation of disputes in the federal and state courts of Mississippi, where he regularly tries cases to verdict. Specialties: Commercial litigation; catastrophic personal injury litigation; insurance coverage and defense.
Trey Byars has successfully tried cases to verdict ranging from simple automobile accidents to complex products liability and insurance disputes. In recognition of his trial skills, Trey has achieved membership by invitation to such prestigious organizations as the American Board of Trial Advocates and the Association of Defense Trial Attorneys. In addition to his litigation practice, Trey is actively involved in several legal organizations that focus on competence and professionalism in the ...
Roy is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers who has been lead counsel in over 100 jury trials. His listings for many years in The Best Lawyers in America and Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business reflect the high regard in which he is held by peers and clients alike. With more than 38 years experience he has litigated a variety of civil suits at both the trial and appellate levels, including antitrust claims, commercial lease disputes, contract breaches, busi...
Jim Crongeyer is a Managing Member of Watkins & Eager and has served in this capacity since 2008. He began the practice of 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 in the general product liability litigation, mass tort, complex litigation and constr...
Known as Ned to his friends and clients, Mr. Currie has been practicing law in the State of Mississippi since graduating from the University of Mississippi School of Law in 1976. In addition to eight years of teaching as an adjunct professor at the Mississippi College School of Law, Mr. Currie’s practice has run the gamut of insurance defense matters. He has tried numerous significant cases in the fields of personal injury, large loss claims, insurance coverage matters and bad faith. Mr...
Michael Gwin was admitted to the Mississippi Bar in 1986. His experience ranges from commercial litigation, complex litigation and appellate advocacy to tort and general litigation, product liability and professional malpractice litigation. Michael is AV rated by Martindale-Hubbell and has been listed as one of The Best Lawyers in America since 2006.
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...
Robert B. Ireland, III, was admitted to the Mississippi Bar in 2002 and is admitted to practice before all state and federal courts in Mississippi and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Robert has handled and assisted with all aspects of litigated matters, through trial and appeal, in both state and federal courts and also in arbitration proceedings. He has also appeared before municipal and county authorities on numerous zoning related matters. Robert has extensive lit...
Mark D. Jicka was admitted to the Mississippi Bar in 1991. He is currently on the Steering Committee for DRI's Products Liability Committee and serves as the Expert Witness Chair for that Committee. His practice focuses on defending manufacturers at trial and on appeal. He has handled cases for clients in Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Arkansas, Louisiana and Kentucky. His cases of note include Bailey v. Lockheed Martin Corp., 261 Fed. Appx. 713, 2008 U.S. App. LEXIS 1006, January 17, 2008;...
Since joining Watkins & Eager in 1991, Walter's practice has included both federal and state court litigation in the areas of pharmaceutical and medical device litigation, medical malpractice, general product liability, and personal injury. Walter has served as lead trial counsel in numerous product liability and medical malpractice cases in both state and federal courts and has tried multiple cases to verdict. Walter chairs the Pharmaceutical and Medical Device and Alternative Dispute Re...
Lisa Williams McKay was born in Columbus, Mississippi, but has lived in Jackson, Mississippi since graduating from law school in 1993. She has litigated matters in state and federal court with particular emphasis on the defense of doctors, hospitals and nursing homes. Mrs. McKay is married to Kevin McKay and they have two daughters. The McKays are active members of St. Mark’s United Methodist Church.
Kyle Moran practices in the areas of insurance coverage counseling and litigation, as well as and commercial litigation, with an emphasis on energy and marine claims, first-party and third-party insurance property claims, professional liability defense, business torts and contract disputes. He also has extensive experience counseling and defending clients involved in environmental, toxic tort and long-term exposure litigation and managing complex and large exposure claims. In 2010, Mr. Moran ...
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...
S pe c i f i c Areas of Practice/Main Focus Appellate Asbestos Bankruptcy Commercial Litigation Consumer Finance Drugs & Medical Devices Hearing Loss Personal Injury Product Liability Silica Or g a nizations/Committees Me m be r s hip The Mississippi Bar American Bar Association State Bar of Michigan L a w School Honors & Awards Dean Robert J. Farley Award for Highest Scholastic Average in Law School Class Mississippi Law Journal, Editorial Board Member Phi Delta Phi O ngoing Peer Edu...
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 ...
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.
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 ...
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 ...
Robert Stacy has trial experience in a variety of practice areas, but concentrates his practice in the areas of premises liability, professional liability, and hospitality law. An accomplished trial lawyer, Robert has tried many jury cases to verdict in both state and federal courts over the past 25 years. Robert is the Co-Chair of the firm’s Hospitality practice group and is a member of the Steering Committee of ALFA International’s Hospitality Law practice group. He is also a me...
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...
Ed Taylor has successfully tried numerous cases for his clients to verdict. Ed’s present practice emphasizes trial work. In particular, just in the last three years Ed has tried fifteen cases to verdict in South Mississippi courtrooms. He was recognized in the 2013 Mississippi Jury Verdict Reporter as one of the most prolific trial lawyers in the State of Mississippi. Professional Affiliations Harrison County Bar Association Louisiana Bar Association Mississippi Bar Association Honors &...
Steve has extensive experience as lead counsel in major litigation, not only in Mississippi, but throughout the Southeast. He has tried well over 200 cases to conclusion and has tried cases in 59 of Mississippi’s 82 counties and in 17 different states. Steve is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, and is included in Best Lawyers in America , in Commercial Litigation, Intellectual Property Litigation, Personal Injury Litigation, Products Liability and Bet-the-Company Litiga...
Doug Vaughn is a problem solver for his clients. He represents people and businesses when they need a voice to be heard and brings fresh ideas to claims to get a resolution in the client’s best interest. In practicing law, there is no one size fits all approach. Clients have different ideals and objectives when they bring a case or a matter in need of resolution. Doug spends time listening to clients, understanding their culture, understanding what's important to them and then tailors a...
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...
GENERALWilliam Earnest Whitfield, III2449 Summerwood Circle (Home) Gulfport, MS 39507 (228) 896-6933 Copeland, Cook, Taylor & Bush, P.A. (Office) 2781 C.T. Switzer Sr. Drive, Suite 200 Biloxi, Mississippi 39531 P.O. Box 10 Gulfport, Mississippi 39502 228.863.6101 (Switchboard) 228.867.0827 (Direct/Secretary)FAMILY Wife - Anita Robertson Whitfield (married in 1979) Children: Stacey R. Whitfield (20) W. E. Whitfield IV (16) W. M. Whitfield (11) EDUCATIONUniversity of Mobile - B.A. (History-...
Jim Wyly practices in the area of litigation. He handles a diverse litigation practice in Mississippi and Louisiana. As a litigator, he has defended a variety of tort claims, including serious personal injury, property damage, and wrongful death claims arising from transportation, professional liability (legal, medical, accountant, insurance and real estate agents/brokers), products liability, toxic exposure, maritime (Jones Act and general maritime law), construction (architects, engineers, ...
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.