Steens Lawyers

I am an experienced advocate for clients in matters involving personal injury, criminal defense, premises owners' negligence, breach of duty, and more. I have extensive courtroom experience wherein I developed trial skills by representing criminal defendants in misdemeanor and felony cases, including capital murder, murder, rape, armed robbery, theft crimes, DUI and drug offenses.

I have been named one of the 500 Leading Litigators in America, one of the 500 Leading Plaintiff Lawyers in America, one of the 3000 Leading Lawyers in America, and one of the 50 Leading Business Women in Mississippi.

I will use my experience and dedication to advocate...

Michael "Mike" Carr focuses his practice on state and federal criminal defense, personal injury, and civil rights.

Mike is a very experienced trial attorney, having litigated more than 50 jury trials in state and federal court as lead counsel, ranging from complex six figure civil personal injury cases to triple homicide capital murder defense. He is often hired as specialized counsel assisting lawyers in other states and has been admitted pro hac vice in Georgia and Tennessee on multiple occasions.

In addition to this practice, Michael is heavily involved in several professional organizations. He is an on-call attorney for the Police...

Merrida (Buddy) Coxwell was admitted to practice law in October 1980. From the day of admission forward Merrida has been a fierce, dedicated, and aggressive advocate for his clients. Over the past thirty-four (34) years he has handled some of the most complex and highly publicized criminal cases in Mississippi. For example, Merrida successfully defended the Mayor of Jackson, MS, when he was charged with four (4) felonies. He successfully defended a Miss. Supreme Court Judge, won two (2) not guilty verdicts in a row in federal drug cases, won a murder case that the local media called the murder...

Ben is native of DeSoto County. He is a graduate of Southaven High School and earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Mississippi with a concentration in Human Resource Management. Upon completion of his undergraduate studies, Ben was accepted to the University of Mississippi School of Law. He spent a summer semester of law school at the University of Hawaii before graduating early. Ben is licensed to practice law in Mississippi, Tennessee and Arkansas. He has been practicing since 2007. Ben is an approved guardian ad litem whose duty is to represent the...

Christopher E. Kittell practices law at the Kittell Law Firm in Hernando, Mississippi. He received his BBA in Computer Information Systems from Delta State University in 1996 and his JD from the University of Mississippi School of Law in 1999. Chris received the prestigious James O. Eastland Scholarship to attend law school and was a member of the International Legal Fraternity of Phi Delta Phi while attending law school at Ole Miss. Chris is happily married to his wife Jennifer and is the proud father of three children. Chris practices primarily in the area of civil...

Rob was born in Traverse City, MI and raised in El Paso, TX. He is a graduate of Tulane University in New Orleans and Loyola University of Chicago School of Law. Rob enjoys fishing, reading, golf and automobile racing. He loves to cook with his family and is an avid Major League Baseball and NFL fan.

EDUCATION
Tulane University – B.A. English
Loyola University Chicago School of Law – J.D.
Frankfurt International School
ROB’S LEGAL ASSISTANTS
Magdalene Bedi
Eyona Nelson

MEMBER
Colorado Bar Association
Louisiana Bar Association
New Orleans Bar Association
Mississippi Bar Association

ADMITTED TO PRACTICE LAW IN
Colorado
Louisiana
Mississippi

Born and raised in Louisiana, attorney Mike Saltaformaggio attended Louisiana State University, where he received a B.A. in Political Science and minored in Sociology. After graduation, Mike enrolled in law school at the Mississippi College School of Law, where he was extremely successful, graduating in the top 5% of his class. During his time in law school, Mike was Articles Editor for the Law Review and began developing his trial skills by participating in Moot Court competitions across the country.

Mike is a member of the Mississippi Association for Justice, the Madison County Bar Association, Jackson Young Lawyers, the...

JAMES H. HEIDELBERG is a lifelong resident of Pascagoula, Mississippi, and he has practiced law in Pascagoula since his admission to the Bar in January 1978. His practice primarily involves trial and appellate litigation in the fields of personal injury, governmental law, and professional liability. Mr. Heidelberg has briefed or argued over eighty cases to the Mississippi Supreme Court, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court. Mr. Heidelberg represents several Mississippi governmental agencies and political subdivisions and is an approved attorney for the Mississippi Tort Claims Board. He is an approved...

Madison County Attorney Pamela L. Hancock proudly serves the people of the Greater Jackson area. As the founder of the Hancock Law Firm, she takes pride in her ability to guide clients through a number of complex or emotional matters, including family law, personal injury, criminal defense, estate planning, and much more. She uses her diverse background and education, as well as her commitment to the law, to create comprehensive case strategies that look at the matter from multiple angles. She has earned a positive reputation within the community and among her former clients and can skillfully handle issues in...

Michael has assisted thousands of Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 consumer debtors in the U.S. Bankruptcy Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Mississippi.

In addition to representing consumers before the Bankruptcy Court, Michael has considerable experience with civil lawsuits against finance companies, banks, mortgage companies and other lenders who engage in predatory lending practices, having obtained some of the largest settlements in the nation for these types of "predatory lending" cases.

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Gregory is a co-founding member of the firm. Gregory left in 2012 to serve as United States Attorney for the Southern District of Mississippi. President Barack Obama nominated him to the position where he served from 2012 to 2017. During his time as U.S. Attorney, he focused his office’s efforts on preventing violent crime, protecting civil rights, tackling Mississippi’s prescription drug and heroin crisis, prosecuting corrupt public officials, and engaging our youth on the dangers of drugs, violence and gangs.

Over the years, he has represented hundreds of clients from every walk of life. Gregory had experience on both sides of...

Lucius Edwards Attorney at Law has been providing quality law services since 1974. When you choose us, you have over 45 years of experience by your side. Our lawyer has been practicing law since he graduated from the George Washington University and is a results-oriented attorney who will aggressively fight for your rights. Visit us, and get a FREE initial consultation.

Admitted to Practice before all Mississippi State and Federal Courts, including the Supreme Court of Mississippi and United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Successfully handled civil personal injury and workers’ compensation claims throughout Mississippi and other states Pro hac vice. Has appeared before all 8 current Judges in the Mississippi Worker’s Compensation Commission. Successfully represented countless number of injured clients in settlements, trials, and on appeals to the Worker’s Compensation Full Commission and to the Court of Appeals of Mississippi.

My name is Robert Bradford Jones. My friends call me Brad. I have a broad and diversified legal background with more than 10 years experience in real estate law, land title law, business law and tax law. Currently, I am Vice President, Claims Counsel for Mississippi Valley Title Insurance Company. As Claims Counsel, I analyze and make insurance coverage decisions. I also review land titles and make determinations on the best way to cure title defects. In my role as Claims Counsel, I monitor numerous litigation matters in a productive and cost-effective manner. I am a frequent lecturer to attorneys and real...

Lee Watt is a native of Batesville, MS. He practiced law on the Mississippi Gulf Coast until 2005 when Hurricane Katrina caused his relocation to the Jackson metro area.
Lee has tried over 100 cases, mostly jury cases, in state and federal courts across Mississippi. These cases involve banking, corporate, product liability, real estate, probate, construction and employment matters. His clients include both leading national manufacturers as well as local small businesses, governmental entities, health care professionals and financial institutions.
Lee enjoys helping businesses and ministries grow and become better managers of their human and financial resources. Lee also enjoys helping...

Attorney James L. Kelly, is dedicated to fairness and justice. As an experienced and highly respected lawyer, Mr. Kelly zealously defends individuals suspected or charged with committing misdemeanor or felony crimes. This firm also serves clients in the areas of wrongful death, personal injury, child custody, wills, and estates. We practice before all courts in the State of Mississippi, with special emphasis in Rankin, Madison and Hinds counties.

College
Mississippi State University, B.B.A., 1983
Law School
University of Mississippi, Law Center, J.D., 1986
Admitted

1987 – Mississippi; U.S. District Court, Northern and Southern Districts of Mississippi; Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals
2010 – United States Supreme...

TRISTAN R. ARMER, has twenty (20) years of experience representing businesses, employers, insurance companies and public entities in workers' compensation and general liability claims. He has tried many cases in state and federal courts but resolved or settled many more quickly and without incurring excess costs and fees to his clients. He has a background in finance and served on the board of a brake manufacturing company, so he understands litigation costs do not serve the bottom-line and will provide a cost-efficient defense for his client. In addition to the civil defense practice, Mr. Armer still defends...

Mike is a Gulf Coast native and has served as an Air Force reservist at Keesler Air Force Base since 2007. He focuses his practice primarily on bankruptcy and consumer litigation. He is dedicated to helping people in South Mississippi overcome financial hardships and stand up to banks, abusive creditors, and debt collectors.

Mike is a member of the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys (NACBA), a national organization dedicated to the practice of consumer bankruptcy law and to the protection of the rights of consumer debtors in bankruptcy. He has also been trained in Max Gardner's Bankruptcy Litigation Model, designed...

In May of 2016, Jay M. Kilpatrick joined the Kilpatrick & Philley, Attorneys at Law team. Jay is a native of Mississippi; originally from Philadelphia, Mississippi. He joined the firm after 16 years with another larger firm in the Jackson area, where he was a shareholder. Jay’s addition to Kilpatrick & Philley, Attorneys at Law only strengthens the resources available to our clients. Prior to joining the firm, Jay worked primarily in the area of personal injury, where he developed a maritime practice representing individuals and families of individuals who are injured working offshore, including a Deepwater Horizon claim. This is...

William "Bill" Cruse grew up in Pearl River County. He graduated from Picayune Memorial High School in 2001 and originally attended Pearl River Community College in 2003. He transferred to Mississippi College, where he graduated with a chemistry degree in 2005. Then, he graduated from the Mississippi School of Law in 2009 and began practicing that same year. His parents, Fred and Dianne Cruse, founded Fred’s Westside Pharmacy in Picayune, and his brother, Gordon Cruse, owns the pharmacy. He opened Cruse Law Firm, PLLC in 2017 to focus on real estate transactions, estate planning, probate, and other forms of transactional law....

I am a lifelong resident of the Mississippi Delta, the birthplace of the Blues. I am married with 3 children and my hobbies include oil painting, fly fishing, hiking and biking. For me, the practice of law is not just a noble profession; it is an opportunity to make a difference in the life of someone who has been wronged and to ensure that the courts and justice are available to everyone,.. .not just the wealthy and powerful

Carlisle Henderson is a graduate of the Tulane University School of Law, 2000, where he worked with the law school's program representing inmates at Angola State Prison. In 1997 and 1998, Mr. Henderson worked with the Orleans Parish District Attorney's Office prosecuting crimes, and since graduation, has devoted himself to criminal defense, and protecting the rights of the accused. He is a member of the Mississippi Bar Association, and a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
Mr. Henderson also works in other areas of the legal profession. Family Law, Juvenile Law, Probate, Appeals. Call 601-835-6283...

Jefferson Gilder received his license to practice in Mississippi and Tennessee in 1990. Mr. Gilder is admitted to practice in all courts in Mississippi and Tennessee including U.S. District Courts for the Western District of Tennessee and the Northern and Southern Districts of Mississippi, the Fifth and Sixth Circuit Courts of Appeal, and the United States Supreme Court. His practice areas include automobile accidents, premises liability, criminal, medical malpractice, civil rights, product liability and other areas of personal injury. Mr. Gilder sat for and passed both the Bar Examinations for Mississippi and Tennessee in the same week in 1990. Mr....

Jad Jamal Khalaf is co-founder and managing partner at Khalaf & Nguyen, PLLC law firm in the capital city of Jackson, Mississippi. Khalaf & Nguyen represents clients throughout the state of Mississippi and specializes in the areas of CAR WRECKS, 18 WHEELER ACCIDENTS, PERSONAL INJURY, CRIMINAL DEFENSE, and IMMIGRATION LAW. Attorney Khalaf advocates for his clients’ best interest. He understands the need to provide quality legal representation, treat clients with respect, and maintain legal integrity. The team at Khalaf & Nguyen law firm stands ready to provide one-on-one personal client service. Call Khalaf & Nguyen...

For over 20 years, John Giddens has dedicated himself to helping to seek justice for those that cannot advocate for themselves. He is the founding member of Giddens Law Firm, located in Jackson, Mississippi. Mr. Giddens has extensive experience in a wide range of personal injury cases including trucking, wrongful death, concussion claims, product liability, premises liability and birth trauma.

Adam is the founder of Woods Law Firm, PLLC, a Brandon, Mississippi law firm that serves clients throughout Mississippi and Tennessee. He is licensed to practice before all state courts in both Mississippi and Tennessee and has represented people from all walks of life, zealously advocating for his clients in numerous areas of the law, including personal injury, contract negotiation, real estate, consumer and commercial law, wills and estates, and family law.

Adam graduated college from Mississippi State University with a Bachelors in Business Administration. While completing his degree, he negotiated numerous contracts for events held on campus,...

Over 20 years of probate and legal knowledge and representing clients in the following of expertise: ***trust and estate planning; ***trust and estate administration; ***trust and estate litigation; ***guardianships; ***conservatorships; ***license restoration appeals; ***experience serving as trustee, personal representative, receiver, and special master. William has experience in the Probate courts of Michigan in the following counties in Michigan: Barry, Branch, Eaton, Genesee, Hillsdale, Ingham, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Kent, Lapeer, Livingston, Macomb, Monroe, Oakland, Saginaw, Sanilac, Schoolcraft, St. Clair, Tuscola, Washtenaw, and Wayne. In February 2022, William was admitted to the State Bar of Mississippi. *In March 2018,...

Admitted to Practice in all Mississippi State and Federal Courts and in the Supreme Court of Mississippi as well as the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Has appeared before all 8 current Judges in the Mississippi Workers Compensation Commission. Successfully represented countless number of injured clients in settlements, trials, and on appeals to the Workers’ Compensation Full Commission and to the Court of Appeals of Mississippi.

Edward (Ted) P. Connell, Jr., is a partner with the law firm of Merkel & Cocke, P.A. Mr. Connell received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Mississippi in 1994, graduating cum laude. This was followed by receipt of his Juris Doctor from the University of Mississippi School of Law in 1997. While attending the University of Mississippi School of Law, Mr. Connell authored “Mississippi Casinos and the Detention of a Patron: What are the Parameters of a Casino’s Powers in Detaining a Patron and the Subsequent Liability Which Can Follow?” which was published in the National Gaming Law...

Todd Jeffreys was born in Jackson, Mississippi in 1974. After graduating high school, he attended the University of Mississippi where he obtained a Bachelor of Business Administration, cum laude, degree in 1997. While at Ole Miss, Todd was a member of the Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society and the Golden Key National Honor Society.Upon obtaining his undergraduate degree, Todd attended law school at the University of Mississippi where he obtained is Juris Doctor, cum laude, degree in 2000. While at Ole Miss law school, Todd was a member of the Mississippi Law Journal, the Moot Court Board and was awarded...

Born in Jackson, Mississippi, and reared on the Mississippi Gulf Coast in Biloxi, MS, Amanda is a native Mississippian. After graduating Ole Miss Law School, Amanda began her legal career in Oxford, MS as the Director of a Statewide project while providing legal representation to low to moderate income taxpayers against the IRS. Given that Amanda grew up in Biloxi, in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, in 2006 and 2007, she secured a grant to provide legal representation for Mississippians in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. From 2007 to 2011, she was an an Adjunct Professor at the...

Brad Botes is a licensed bankruptcy attorney located in Birmingham, Alabama. Mr. Botes is also licensed to practice law in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Illinois.

I have been practicing in the Southwest Mississippi area for almost 15 years, helping people with criminal charges, injuries, and other litigation issues that arise in their lives. I have tried countless criminal trials and civil cases, including worker's compensation hearings. I am also one of the few lawyers in the area who has taken the bar and is licensed in Mississippi and Louisiana.

Our firm focuses on lemon law cases. Even if your car isn't covered under your lemon law, there are other state and federal laws that may allow you to recover money or get a buyback. If we can take your matter there's no upfront retainer and You don't pay any costs or expenses if we can't settle your claim. Ben holds a JD from Mississippi College in Jackson, Mississippi and a BS in Marine Transportation from the United States Merchant Marine Academy. He is admitted in various Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida, Arkansas, and Michigan courts. His career includes experience with diverse...

A native of Mississippi, Benjamin N. Philley was born in Jackson, Mississippi and grew up in Grenada, Mississippi and the Mississippi Delta. Ben is one of the founding shareholders of Kilpatrick & Philley, Attorneys at Law. He received his Bachelor's Degree in Business and Finance from the University of Mississippi in 1998 and his Law Degree from the Mississippi College School of Law, where he was an active member of Law Review. While in school, Ben clerked for law firms specializing in both personal injury litigation and civil defense. Upon graduation from law school, Ben became an associate with Wise Carter...