Snapshot of the Mississippi Legal Industry
The legal landscape in Mississippi is as diverse as the state’s geography. From the bustling city of Jackson, the state capital and home to many prominent law firms, to the coastal city of Biloxi, known for its gaming and entertainment industry, Mississippi’s legal professionals are well represented across the state. The majority of the largest law firms in Mississippi are based in major metropolitan areas, where they are able to offer a multitude of legal services across various practice areas. These firms boast a wide range of attorneys, each with their own areas of expertise, including corporate law, litigation, intellectual property , and more.
Additionally, Mississippi has a number of law school graduates who practice in more specialized areas of law. For example, many attorneys in the state focus on environmental law, given Mississippi’s vast natural resources and the impact of state agencies on private property. There are also a number of attorneys who specialize in real estate law, given the state’s growing economy and the demand for new construction.
Overall, Mississippi’s legal landscape is marked by a combination of large, powerhouse firms and specialized attorneys who provide a wealth of knowledge and resources to the state’s residents and businesses.
Top Mississippi Law Firms: A Detailed Examination
Over the years, the Lawyer 100 has placed the following firms on its list of the top 100 law firms in the United States and in the top 100 law firms by year founded:
1. Phelps Dunbar – 1853
Phelps Dunbar was founded in 1853. The firm is the largest in Mississippi with offices in Jackson, Natchez, Vicksburg, and Biloxi, Mississippi and New Orleans, Louisiana. The firm began as a New Orleans firm and combined with organizations and lawyers in Mississippi and Louisiana to grow into the largest law firm with offices in every major city in Mississippi and Louisiana.
Phelps Dunbar reported 2018 revenue of $61.5 million and 181 lawyers.
2. Balch & Bingham – 1895
With over 300 attorneys, Balch & Bingham LLP is one of the largest law firms in the Southeast. Founded in Birmingham in 1895, the firm opened its first Mississippi office in 2011.
Balch & Bingham reported 2018 revenue of $142 million and 309 lawyers.
3. Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC – 1888
Baker Donelson was founded in Memphis in 1888. Today the firm is nationwide with a strong Southeast presence of offices in Jackson, Biloxi and Hattiesburg.
Baker Donelson reported 2018 revenue of $298.5 million and 511 lawyers.
4. Jones Walker – 1932
Jones Walker is a regional firm founded in 1932 in New Orleans. The firm has grown to over 200 lawyers and offices in Mississippi and Louisiana.
Jones Walker reported 2019 revenue of $161 million and 234 lawyers.
5. Jones, Granger, Hodge, Williams, Quales & Morrison – 1917
Jackson based firm was founded in 1917. It has grown from 3 partners in 1917 to seven today.
The firm reported 2018 revenue of $9.4 million.
What Sets These Law Firms Apart
Firstly, these firms have deep roots in the state, having been established for many years and with a substantial legacy of lawyers who have left and continue to leave their mark on Mississippi law. For example, former Governor Bryant was a partner at Orr, Case & Thornton before entering politics, and past Supreme Court Justices like Joe Lee, Reuben Anderson, and Leslie D. King were partners at Phelps Dunbar or Sanderson & Mares before ascending to the bench.
Secondly, these firms have lawyers who have been extremely active in the legislative process in Jackson. It’s not terribly uncommon to go into the firm’s building in Jackson in the middle of the day and find a pack of lawyers hanging around in their business casual clothes working on ideas for a proposed law or debating the merits of legislation that’s scheduled for debate on the house or senate floor later that day.
Finally, these firms have also historically been the training ground for legislators. It’s almost a certainty that half the new Republican majority in the state House were former associates of one of these firms. And in the older days, it would have been a good bet that most of the former state senators were also former associates.
What Cases and Client Types Do These Firms Handle
Mississippi’s law firms cater to a diverse clientele ranging from large corporations to small businesses, non-profit organizations and individuals. They handle an array of cases throughout various sectors, including retail and consumer goods, energy, finance, agriculture, tobacco, automotive, and food products. Many have extensive government contract litigation experience.
But every firm also has deep experience in personal injury and other business litigation cases representing both plantiffs and defendants. These cases include asbestos, environmental and products liability cases representing both sides across the country.
Firm Clientelle: Butler Snow represents ACCU-PAC, Inc., BancorpSouth, Banner Health, Belk, Inc., Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC, General Electric Company, Maytag Corporation, Nabors Industries, Inc., Sheppard Enterprises, Inc., Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance Company, Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC, State Farm Mutual Automobile insurance Company, Tower Automotive Inc . , Tyson Foods, Inc., Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., Whirpool Corporation, and YUM! Restaurants.
Pittman McIntyre & Kanyuk represent a laundry list of plaintiffs and defendants in commercial and corporate matters, employment matters, trade secrets, personal injury, and medical malpractice. Its clients range from large companies like Cox Communications and Nationwide Insurance to smaller companies and individuals.
Hurst & Hurst is small firm that serves regional clients and some international clients. Its attorney work includes representation of a manufacturer against an Asian automaker.
Gordon, Dodson, Gordon & Smith LLP represents corporations, respected individuals, financial institutions, and public schools across the State of Mississippi. It has represented various churches as well. It handles a cross-section of legal services including a client in a $136,000,000 lawsuit against an out-of-state entity.
How Big Law Affects Communities in Mississippi
While they may be large businesses with complex organizational structures, Mississippi’s leading law firms also have a substantial impact on many of the smaller communities in which they are located. Though not everywhere, many of these firms are very often involved in pro bono work and community service activities, as well as charitable contributions.
One can argue that, to an extent, the influence from large law firms is a positive one. The more attorneys and professionals are hired, the more money is cycled into the local economy. Attorneys commonly spend money at local gas stations, grocery stores and other retailers. They also hire and spend money on local support staff for the firm as well as locally manufactured or distributed office supplies, software, hardware, office furniture, etc. The positive cycle of business spending is something that cannot be denied.
The influence that comes from having large law firms located in the state would be difficult to measure. Mississippi’s largest law firms tend to have offices in larger cities such as Jackson, Biloxi, Gulfport and north Mississippi, but they do not have representation in every city. Some Mississippi cities and smaller towns have 4 or 5 or even more law firms with 5-10 attorneys each, while others have none.
Selecting a Law Firm in Mississippi
Selecting a law firm in Mississippi involves careful consideration of several factors, including the firm’s area of expertise, the experience of its attorneys, and its reputation within the legal community. Here are some tips to consider when choosing the right law firm for your particular needs:
Take advantage of relationships. Network your way into a possible referral by asking friends, family and co-workers if they know any lawyers who have represented them personally or in a business context. Ask them if they were satisfied with the service and help they received.
Beyond the initial contact , ask questions to discover whether a firm has the expertise you need. Does the firm’s approach match yours? Is the firm willing to work on an existing case? Is there an approach to settling that makes sense to you?
Be straightforward about what you want. It is important to be clear and candid about your legal needs. Do you need someone to handle your divorce case, or do you want an attorney to guide you through the process? Are you a business owner asking whether the firm handles asset protection and termination issues?
You may be seeking advice if you are in a first marriage, or in a second or third marriage and have been through the contentious process of dividing your assets before. In that case, are you looking for a mediator or an attorney to conduct aggressive litigation? The answer to these questions will guide you in the right direction.