Distinctions · The Best Lawyers in America®, Government Relations Law, Public Finance Law · Deputy Attorney General, State of Mississippi, 1993-94 · Assistant Attorney General, State of Mississippi, 1985-93
- Chairman, Opinions Committee Associations · American Bar Association
- State and Local Government Section · National Association of Bond Lawyers · International Municipal Lawyers Association · National Association of County Civil Attorneys · Mississippi Bar
- Government Law Section
-- Chairman, Board of Directors, 1996-97 · Mississippi Association of County Board Attorneys · Mississippi Municipal Attorneys Association Legal Experience · Served as Bond, Note, or Underwriter's Counsel in connection with closing numerous municipal bond and loan transactions for the Mississippi Development Bank and local government issuers in Mississippi. · Represented Mississippi Association of Supervisors, Inc. as intervenor in AT&T vs. Mississippi State Tax Commission, in which the telecommunication company challenged the State's method of assessing its property for ad valorem tax purposes. On behalf of the intervenor client, successfully prosecuted a summary judgment action challenging the constitutionality of legislation purporting to statutorily redefine the manner of assessing public utility property for ad valorem tax purposes. The intervenor client's Motion for Summary Judgment was granted in AT&T Communications, Inc. vs. Mississippi State Tax Commission, et al., Hinds County Circuit Court, First Judicial District, Cause No. 251-96-1055, decided August 20, 1998. · State of Mississippi vs. Mississippi Association of Supervisors, Inc., et al., 699 So. 2d 699 (Miss. 1997). Represented the Mississippi Association of Supervisors and the two Counties in an action seeking injunctive and declaratory relief relating to jurisdiction over county roads and bridges. Prosecuted this action to enjoin enforcement and challenge the constitutionality of legislation usurping constitutional jurisdiction of county boards of supervisors relating to weight regulations on county roads and bridges. Clients' Motion for Summary Judgment was granted and the decision was affirmed by Mississippi Supreme Court. · Serves as counsel for the Mississippi Association of Supervisors, Inc. Handles all legal matters for this association, a trade association organized to educate and represent interests of county government and county public officials. · Serves as counsel for MPE Services, Inc., MPE Workers' Compensation Services, Inc., MPE Employee Benefit Services, Inc., Mississippi Public Entity Workers' Compensation Trust and Mississippi Public Entity Employee Benefit Trust. Handles all legal matters for these public entity workers' compensation and health benefit pools and service providers. · Serves as counsel for Mississippi EdNet Institute, Inc., a nonprofit corporation that provides, coordinates and manages ITFS educational, licenses and program services for State of Mississippi. · Serves as counsel for the Tunica County Healthcare Authority, an instrumentality of Tunica County, Mississippi, that manages the county-owned medical clinics and facilities. Papers, Presentations & Publications · "Powers and Duties of Supervisors," Chapter III, County Government in Mississippi, Fourth Edition, Center for Governmental Training & Technology, Mississippi State University Extension Service, 2011. · "County Borrowing and Debt Management," Appendix to A Handbook for County Board Attorneys in Mississippi, by Benjamin E. Griffith, Center for Governmental Training & Technology, Mississippi State University Extension Service, 2000. · "Functions and Powers," Chapter III, Municipal Government in Mississippi, Third Edition, Center for Governmental Training & Technology, Mississippi State University Extension Service, 2011. · Frequent speaker at CLE and other seminars dealing with local government issues. |