Success

Since 1980, our firm has successfully handled the passage, amendment, and defeat of thousands of pieces of legislation in the Mississippi State Legislature. Below are examples of some of our recent and noteworthy accomplishments. As you can see, our work encompasses various types of legislation and projects that reach all areas of the State of Mississippi.

Mississippi Casino Laws, Statewide

In 2005, our firm handled legislation that changed the law in Mississippi regarding where a casino can physically be located. The law was amended so that the physical structure can be located on land instead of a barge floating in the water. This change has resulted in many new casinos being built in Mississippi.

The Goal:
Legislation that changed the law in Mississippi regarding where a casino can physically be located.

The Result:
This change has resulted in many new casinos being built in Mississippi.

Mississippi Intermediate Court of Appeals

In 1993, our firm handled legislation on behalf of our client, the Mississippi Bar Association, which created the first-ever Mississippi Intermediate Court of Appeals. This Court reduced the huge backlog of cases pending before the Mississippi Supreme Court and has continued to expedite the timely hearing of appellate cases in our state.

The Goal:
Legislation which created the first-ever Mississippi Intermediate Court of Appeals.

The Result:
This Court reduced the huge backlog of cases pending before the Mississippi Supreme Court.

Southern Farm Bureau Life, Ridgeland, MS

In 2014, our firm handled legislation that created the Mississippi Unclaimed Life Insurance Benefits Act. This new law fairly balances the responsibilities of life insurance companies and possible beneficiaries with respect to unpaid death benefits that, if unclaimed, escheat to the State of Mississippi.

The Goal:
Legislation that created the Mississippi Unclaimed Life Insurance Benefits Act.

The Result:
This new law fairly balances the responsibilities of life insurance companies and possible beneficiaries with respect to unpaid death benefits.

Tort Reform, Statewide and Batesville, MS

In 2004, our firm handled legislation that greatly reduced one of our corporate client’s exposure to asbestos liability and litigation. In 2003, our client had already paid out over $460 million in asbestos claims resulting from its purchase of the stock of a small company for only $7 million. Our client’s stock market price had declined from $60 per share to $4 per share. As a result of the legislation that was enacted into law, our client saved 250 Mississippi jobs and avoided millions of dollars in future claims and liability. Its stock price is now trading at over $50 per share. Also, we have worked on many pieces of general tort reform legislation and medical liability legislation that have become law and have served to remove and reduce our clients’ exposure to exorbitant tort claims.

The Goal:
Legislation that greatly reduced one of our corporate client’s exposure to asbestos liability and litigation.

The Result:
Our client saved 250 Mississippi jobs and avoided millions of dollars in future claims and liability.

Methodist Hospital, Olive Branch, MS

In 2009, our firm handled legislation that prompted the Mississippi State Department of Health to revise its state health plan. This change in the certificate of need (CON) process enabled our client to construct Methodist Olive Branch Hospital. The five-story, 100-bed, acute care hospital opened in 2013. Methodist Olive Branch is a $137-million healthcare center featuring an innovative, environmentally friendly design. It is the first newly licensed hospital to open in Mississippi in 25 years.

The Goal:
Legislation that prompted the Mississippi State Department of Health to revise its state health plan.

The Result:
Enabled our client to construct Methodist Olive Branch Hospital.

The Mill at Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS

In 2014, our firm handled legislation that enabled our client to develop an 11-acre site into a $100-million mixed-use project called The Mill. Featuring a 73,975-square-foot office and conference center with a 1,000-seat ballroom; a four-story, 110-room Courtyard by Marriott Hotel; and a 450-car parking garage, The Mill will have a “transformative effect on Mississippi State University and Starkville,” according to MSU President Mark Keenum. The Mill is slated for completion in the fall of 2015.

The Goal:
Legislation that enabled our client to develop an 11-acre site into a $100-million mixed-use project called The Mill.

The Result:
The Mill will have a “transformative effect on Mississippi State University and Starkville,” according to MSU President Mark Keenum.

Seat Belt Legislation, Statewide

In 1997, our firm represented five (5) automobile manufacturers in the handling of legislation that created Mississippi’s first seat belt law. This legislation has saved many Mississippians from death, serious injury, and the high costs attendant to vehicular crashes.

The Goal:
Represented five (5) automobile manufacturers in the handling of legislation that created Mississippi’s first seat belt law.

The Result:
Saved many Mississippians from death, serious injury, and the high costs attendant to vehicular crashes.

The District, Jackson, MS

In 2012, our firm handled legislation that enabled our client to purchase a 22-acre site from the State of Mississippi and develop it into The District at Eastover. This $150-million master-planned community development will feature 500,000 square feet of commercial, retail, and office space in the heart of Jackson, Mississippi.

The Goal:
Legislation that enabled our client to purchase a 22-acre site from the State of Mississippi and develop it.

The Result:
$150-million master-planned community development will feature 500,000 square feet of commercial, retail, and office space.

Tradition, Biloxi, MS

In 2000, our firm handled legislation that enabled our client to construct Tradition, the largest master-planned community under development in Mississippi. The 4,800-acre self-contained community is centrally located about 10 miles north of the Mississippi Gulf Coast cities of Biloxi and Gulfport. Tradition will result in an economic impact of several hundred million dollars in this area. The legislation created the Master Plan Community Law in Mississippi and funded the expansion of a county road now known as “Tradition Parkway,” which bisects the development.

The Goal:
Legislation that enabled our client to construct Tradition, the largest master-planned community under development in Mississippi.

The Result:
Tradition will result in an economic impact of several hundred million dollars in this area.

Highway Funding, Gulf Coast, MS

In 2002, our firm handled legislation that provided $20 million in state bond funding for the expansion of Hwy 63 to four lanes, which now serves as a main artery of commerce and residential travel, including a much needed hurricane evacuation route from the City of Biloxi north to US Hwy 49.

The Goal:
Legislation that provided $20 million in state bond funding for the expansion of Hwy 63.

The Result:
Highway 63’s four lanes now serve as a main artery of commerce and residential travel, including a much needed hurricane evacuation route.

Criminal Justice Reform, Statewide

In 2014, our firm handled HB 585, a comprehensive legislative reform package that protects public safety, reigns in corrections costs, and restores clarity to criminal sentencing guidelines. It is estimated to save $266 million in projected increases to corrections costs over the next decade.

“HB 585 is the single largest improvement to Mississippi’s criminal justice system in a generation.”
Speaker of the House, Philip Gunn

The Goal:
Handled HB 585, a comprehensive legislative reform package that protects public safety, reigns in corrections costs, and restores clarity to criminal sentencing guidelines.

The Result:
Saved an estimated $266 million in projected increases to corrections costs over the next decade.

Westin Hotel, Jackson, MS

In 2013, our firm handled legislation that repurposed $20 million in state bond money that enabled our client to construct a new $55-million Westin Hotel in downtown Jackson, Mississippi. The location of this new hotel next to the newly constructed United States Courthouse will revitalize this entire area of downtown Jackson.

The Goal:
Legislation that repurposed $20 million in state bond money that enabled the construction of a new $55-million Westin Hotel.

The Result:
The location of this new hotel next to the newly constructed United States Courthouse will revitalize this entire area of downtown Jackson.