Summit Lawyers

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...

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...

We specialize in helping Mississippians with their financial problems.

Proudly practicing since 2001 in Hancock, Harrison, Stone, Pearl River Counties, Bay St. Louis, Waveland, Pearl River, Picayune, Gulfport, Biloxi, Kiln, and Saucier. Personal Injury, Criminal, Estate, DUI-DWI, Divorce & Family Law, Felony, Small Claims Court, Misdemeanor, Domestic Violence, Business law, Probate, Wills, Simple Legal Documents.

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...

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.

James S. Beam is a native of Baton Rouge, LA and an Eagle Scout (1992). Mr. Beam is a 1999 graduate of Louisiana State University and a 2002 graduate of the Mississippi College School of Law where he earned his J.D. Mr. Beam is admitted to practice in all Federal and State courts in the State of Mississippi and the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans, LA. Mr Beam has experience in a wide range of subjects including insurance investigations and litigation, personal injury, workers’ compensation, social security and opioid claims. His clients include everyone from...

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...

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...

John G. Holaday

John graduated Cum Laude from Mississippi State University with a B.A. degree, major in English. He attended Ole Miss law school and graduated Cum Laude in May of 1994. At Ole Miss law school, John served on the Law Journal Editorial Board, the Moot Court Board and received several scholarships. Immediately after graduation, he began a one year law clerk position with United States District Judge Charles W. Pickering, Sr. After the clerkship, he went to work for Langston Frazer Sweet & Freese. At Langston Frazer, John primarily handled complex civil litigation including...

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...

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...

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,...

Attorney Rick D. Patt brings twenty-eight (28) years of experience as an attorney to your case. The Patt Law Firm represents clients in cases involving:

1) Family law (divorce, child custody, child support, modifications, and adoptions);
2) Civil litigation (plaintiff/defense/ personal injury/wrongful death/18-wheeler/automobile accidents, etc);
3) Criminal defense (felony, misdemeanor, drug and DUI defense), and expungements;
4) Wills, trusts and estate work; and
5) Appellate representation in the state and federal courts.

Such representation...

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....

Christian Shiyou is a hardworking and dedicated attorney ready to assist you and your legal needs. Since 2021, Christian has been engaged in the general practice of law across the entire state of Mississippi with Shiyou Law Firm, PLLC. Christian specializes in adoptions, family law, and criminal law, but also works routinely with civil litigation and appeals. He also regularly works as a Guardian ad Litem where he represents the best interest of children in adoption, termination of parental rights, and custody cases. A native of Collins, Mississippi, Christian received his B.S. degree in Accounting from the University of Southern...

Joel Dillard has drafted major labor regulations, federal appeals court decisions, and federal agency decisions which continue to govern daily working life. This experience, seeing the law from the inside out, provides for depth and nuance of understanding. No stone remains unturned in the firm's efforts to resolve clients' problems favorably.

Michael Williams has represented injured people in Mississippi for over thirty years, including state and federal court Plaintiffs, and hundreds of Claimants before the Mississippi Worker's Compensation Commission. Michael has also handled over a thousand consumer bankruptcy cases.

Michael Williams was reared in rural Hinds County, Mississippi in the Utica area. He attended Millsaps College and Tulane University Law School. He is admitted to practice law in all Mississippi state courts, including the Mississippi Supreme Court. He is also admitted to the Northern and Southern District Federal Courts of Mississippi, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

Michael...

John W. Robinson III is an attorney with more than 20 years of litigation experience representing people and business throughout Mississippi. John's primary focus is civil litigation-non-criminal cases in court, usually involving claims for money damages. John also counsels and represents clients in contract negotiations and other business transactions. John's civil litigation and trial experience is extensive and includes cases involving a wide variety of matters, such as contract disputes, business torts, employment issues, real estate and land use controversies, intellectual property, commercial sales disputes, construction, insurance coverage and defense, products liability, personal injury, wrongful death and mass tort claims,...

Bernard C. Jones, Jr. was admitted to the Mississippi Bar in 1984. Before entering law school, Bernard served as the Legal Assistance Coordinator for the Mississippi office of the Emergency Land Fund, a nonprofit group which provided education, loans and legal assistance to minority landowners in the south. He also worked as a Title Abstractor for one of Mississippi's largest law firms while in law school. In both positions, he acquired a wealth of knowledge in the area of real property law. Bernard has a particular interest in heir property issues. Bernard testified as an expert witness for the first...

Erica McHard is admitted to practice in the following jurisdictions: 2001, Iowa; 2002, Illinois, Mississippi and U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit; 2013, Texas. Erica received her B.A. in Business, Political Science and Public Administration at Augustana College, Rock Island, IL. She received her Juris Doctor at the University of Iowa. Erica is a member of the Dillon Inn of Court and served as a Law Clerk for the Iowa District Court. She was also listed in Who’s Who Among America’s Law Students. Erica is a member of the following professional associations: Mississippi Bar Association; Iowa Bar Association; Illinois Bar Association; Mississippi Association...

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

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...

Hello. My name is Tim Evans, and I'm a native of Quitman, Mississippi. I attended the University of Mississippi on a Naval ROTC scholarship and served as a commissioned officer in the Navy for three years. I taught middle school and high school before attending and graduating from Mississippi College School of Law. After law school, I served as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable William H. Myers, presiding judge for the Court of Appeals of the State of Mississippi. I moved to Hattiesburg in 2003 to begin private practice, and I have had a wide range...

Susan G. Pinkston, PLLC was formed in November of 1996 and is located in Ridgeland MS. Mrs. Pinkston, the primary member, spent the first fourteen years of her legal career with two well established multi-service law firms in downtown Jackson, as an associate and then partner. The firm’s areas of practice include real estate closings, wills and estates, mediation and arbitration, oil and gas, corporate formation and title insurance.

Choosing a lawyer for any case can be difficult, so we offer these tips. First, ask about experience. Doug is a Hattiesburg native who graduated Tulane Law School in 1992, and within a few months he was trying cases to juries, and winning. He strongly believes that to adequately pursue any legal case, a lawyer should know his way around a courtroom, and Doug has tried cases to juries lasting days, weeks and even months. "The insurance companies know if you have the stomach for litigation and trial practice," Doug says, "and if you never put them...

Author of the book "Divorce in Mississippi", Jon has extensive trial experience in all matters concerning divorce, family law, estates, guardianships and conservatorships and real estate related issues. Jon's 23 years of experience and practical common sense approach in representing clients and seeking solutions to their problems makes Jon different from other lawyers in his desire to efficiently get the client what they want instead of seeking for more ways to bill the client.

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...

Schedule your consultation today at irvin-law.com. We take care of your legal needs. 601-340-6800.

"Proven Results." I believe in focusing on the client and insuring they are fully protected. I have 17 years of experience with major felonies, misdemeanors, business and family law. I always focus on the human factor, because behind every legal issue is an opportunity to impact families, small businesses, and communities. From Federal Court to Community meetings I am here to insure that you have a trusted Counselor. Trust us with your legal needs, Call today 601-340-6800.

Jason Bush has a broad civil litigation practice. Jason has experience representing clients in state and federal courts in Mississippi. Jason’s practice includes insurance litigation, the defense of negligence and personal injury cases, business litigation, and construction-related litigation. Jason also has experience with intellectual property litigation such as copyright infringement and litigation involving trademarks, trade secrets and the right of publicity. Jason also counsels clients with respect to trademarks and files trademark applications.

Terence attended Mississippi State University on athletic scholarship and played college football. He received his B.A. in Accounting from Mississippi State University in 1992. Also, he received his M.A. in Accounting from the University of Mississippi in 1995. In 1999, he received his Juris Doctorate from Capital University Law School in Columbus, Ohio. Terence was an associate with the law firm of Mitchell, McNutt & Sams in their Jackson, MS office from 1999 to 2001. He was an associate with the Jackson office of Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz from 2002 to...