Distinctions · The Best Lawyers in America®, Government Relations Law · Chair, Governor-Elect Transition Policy (Nov. 2011 - Jan. 2012) · Fellow, Mississippi Bar Foundation · Chief of Staff, Office of the Governor, State of Mississippi, 1994-99 · Republican Nominee, Attorney General, State of Mississippi, 1999 · Representative, Mississippi House of Representatives, 1991-94 · European Community Visitors Programme, 1993 · Council for the United States and Italy, Young Leaders Program, 1997 Associations · Defense Research Institute · American Health Law Association · Federalist Society Legal Experience · Introduced and co-authored the Mississippi Product Liability Act (H.B. 1270, codified at Miss. Code Ann. § 11-1-63). · Introduced and co-authored the Mississippi Punitive Damages Act (codified at Miss. Code Ann. § 11-1-65). · Co-authored the Mississippi Court Reform Act - creating the Mississippi Court of Appeals (H.B. 548, codified at Miss. Code Ann. § 9-4-1, et seq.). · Co-authored State Port Tax Credit Act of 1994 (H.B. 1778, codified at Miss. Code Ann. § 27-7-22.7). · Counsel for Civil Justice Reform Act of 2004. · Counsel for Office of the Governor - 2004 implementation of Medicaid amendments. · Counsel for the Mississippi Wireless Communication Commission (implementation of statewide emergency wireless network). · Counsel for Bay-Waveland School District - FEMA Arbitration (first Public Assistance Program arbitration proceeding, $6.9 million award). · PPG Architectural Finishes v. Lowery, 909 So.2d 47 (Miss. 2005) (statute of limitations construed to bar toxic tort claim). · Ballard v. Illinois Central R. Co., 338 F.Supp. 2d 712 (S.D. Miss. 2004) (federal jurisdiction established under Federal Arbitration Act and Convention on Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards). · Fyre v. Airco, 269 F.Supp.2d 743 (S.D. Miss. 2003) (federal jurisdiction established for toxic tort claim). · Miller v. Allstate, 631 So.2d 789 (Miss. 1994) (uninsured motorist statute interpreted to allow offset and unfavorable stacking interpretation). · Swan v. I.P, Inc., 617 So.2d 846 (Miss. 1993) (established doctrine of sophisticated user for toxic tort/product liability actions in Mississippi). · White v. Hutchinson, 616 So.2d 346 (Miss. 1993) (defense verdict affirmed). · St. Paul Property and Liability v. Nance, 577 So.2d 1238 (Miss. 1991) (subrogation rights of uninsured motorist carrier abrogated by release of tortfeasor by insured). · Bryant v. Allstate, 790 F.Supp. 676 (S.D. Miss. 1991) (insurer not obligated to pay medical payments coverage for injuries not caused by automobile accident). · Collins v. Trinity Industries, 861 F.2d 1364 (5thCir. 1988) (statute of repose for improvement to real property construed to bar personal injury claim). · Westbrook v. Perry, 516 So.2d 240 (Miss. 1987) (defense verdict affirmed). |