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MMS Shareholders Featured in 2009 Mid-South Super Lawyers: Sandy Sams, Bill Murphree, Wendell Trapp, and John Wheeler Honored. Sams and Wheeler Also Identified Among the Top 50 Leading Attorneys in Mississippi. Bill Spencer, Jr. Selected as a Super Lawyers "Rising Star."
L. F. (Sandy) Sams, Jr., William C. Murphree, Wendell H. Trapp, Jr., and John G. Wheeler have been featured in the 2009 edition of Mid-South Super Lawyers. The publication covers Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee and is published as a guide to the top five percent of attorneys in each state as nominated by their peers and independent research conducted by Law & Politics magazine. The 2009 Mid-South Super Lawyers is based on the survey of more than 13,000 attorneys who have been in practice for five years or more. This marks the fourth year that Sandy Sams, Wendell Trapp, and John Wheeler have been selected. In addition, Sams and Wheeler were again identified among the top 50 leading attorneys in Mississippi. For the second year, William C. Spencer, Jr. was designated as a Super Lawyers "Rising Star," the selection process for which is similar except that to be eligible for this list the candidate must be 40 years old or younger and in practice for ten years or less. Also, no more than 2.5 percent of the attorneys in a state may be so designated.
In all, eight Mitchell, McNutt & Sams shareholders have been honored as members of the Super Lawyers group:
The Best Lawyers in America 2010 Includes Attorneys Andy Phillips, Bill Murphree, Sandy Sams, Billy Spencer, Dennis Voge and John Wheeler.
The 2010 edition of The Best Lawyers in America again lists six attorneys from Mitchell, McNutt & Sams as outstanding lawyers in their respective fields of practice. Andy Phillips, a shareholder in the Oxford office of the firm, was selected for his work in the area of bankruptcy and creditor-debtor rights law. Other lawyers recognized in this group are shareholders in the Tupelo office. Bill Murphree and Billy Spencer were chosen for product liability litigation, and Dennis Voge was selected for workers' compensation law. John Wheeler and Sandy Sams were both tapped for their expertise in medical malpractice and other professional malpractice law. Additionally, Sandy Sams, who has been honored by Best Lawyers for more than 20 years, was also associated with the areas of commercial litigation, personal injury litigation, and product liability litigation. This publication is the oldest peer-review directory of its type in the legal profession and currently includes 29,575 attorneys in 78 specialties, covering all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
J. Douglas Ford Brings Family Law Emphasis and Other Litigation Skills to Mitchell, McNutt & Sams Columbus Office.
J. Douglas Ford has joined Mitchell, McNutt & Sams as a shareholder in the Columbus office. Ford's practice includes family law, labor and employment law, and general business and commercial litigation. He has represented numerous individual and corporate clients in the state and federal courts in Mississippi and Alabama.
Ford received a B.B.A. from Mississippi State University in 1988. He graduated in 1991 from the University of Alabama School of Law where he received the Johnstone Adams Scholar Award and was a member of the Bench and Bar Legal Honor Society. His professional associations include the Mississippi Bar Association, the Alabama Bar Association, and the Lowndes County Bar Association. Ford is admitted to practice in all state and federal courts in Mississippi and Alabama, the U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, and the U.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appeals.
Alison Goodman Appointed to Board of Mississippi Women Lawyers Association.
Alison Ketner Goodman, who practices in the general business section of Mitchell McNutt's Tupelo office, has been appointed to the Board of Directors for the Mississippi Women Lawyers Association for 2009-2010. The MWLA is a statewide organization for women attorneys in all facets of the legal profession including private practice, corporate counsel, government lawyers, the judiciary, academia, and law students. The organization's mission is to enhance and develop the image of lawyers in Mississippi, promote fellowship among the members of the legal community, and advance women in the legal profession. Community involvement and philanthropy are the hallmarks of MWLA's agenda. Goodman will serve on the Board of Directors as North Mississippi Liaison.
Alison Goodman received her B.A. in Japanese studies from Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1997 and her J.D. from The University of Mississippi School of Law in 2003. She also attended Temple University Law School in Tokyo, worked as a research assistant in Japan, clerked for a Japanese law firm, and participated in an exchange program for Japanese teachers of English. She is admitted to practice in all state and federal courts in Mississippi and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
Albert Delgadillo's "Personal Best" Nets Funds for Client Causes: Attorney is Ironman Florida Triathlon Participant.
Albert G. Delgadillo, shareholder and board certified estate law planning specialist with the Tupelo office of Mitchell, McNutt and Sams, has found a way to make his avocation as an endurance athlete yield more than personal dividends. Long a participant in local and regional marathons, Albert first entered the Ironman Florida triathlon in 2007. This challenging one-day endurance event involves a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike ride, and a 26.2-mile run. During the tedious and lengthy hours of training, he came up with the notion that maybe he could enlist the assistance of Create Foundation and engender a little fundraising for a worthy cause. "You have a lot of time to think about all sorts of stuff while riding a bicycle five to six hours at a time training," Delgadillo noted. "Through my participation in Ironman Florida 2007, I raised $8,750 for a scholarship fund in memory of a client's son and through my completion of Ironman Florida in 2008, I raised $5,850 for our client Sanctuary Hospice House. I hope to do this a third time come November." Besides having raised funds for worthy causes, Delgadillo feels the rewards of such an event are "knowing that you can do it."
Delgadillo is a graduate of Millsaps College with a BA in Accounting. He received his J.D. from The University of Mississippi School of Law and his LL.M. in Taxation from Georgetown University. He focuses his practice upon the representation of businesses, financial institutions, and families. His work includes the planning and implementation of business transactions, tax planning, estate planning and administration, trusts, elder law, and business succession.
John D. Brady Elected to Main Street Columbus Board of Directors.
John D. Brady, a shareholder with Mitchell, McNutt & Sams, has been elected to the Main Street Columbus Board of Directors for a three-year term. The Main Street program was organized in 1985 to promote downtown growth and development and has received numerous state and regional awards for its efforts. John Brady's involvement with the group began four years ago. "I initially helped organize volunteers for the annual Market Street Festival," says Brady. "Because I work and live in the downtown area I felt it was important to stay involved with this particular organization which emphasizes maintaining a vibrant and attractive downtown."
According to Brady, "Mitchell McNutt & Sams is a member and strong supporter of the Main Street Program. Our offices are located in the historic downtown area in four classic townhouses. The oldest was built in 1835, but when we needed to expand, the newest was constructed to match the three existing buildings, illustrating two of the major concepts of the Main Street program-- preservation and re-vitalization."
Brady received his law degree from Mississippi College School of Law and practices in the areas of premises liability, product liability, insurance coverage and bad faith, construction defect, and general insurance matters.
Columbus Shareholders John D. Brady and James P. Wilson, Jr. Included among 2009-2010 Leadership for United Way of Lowndes County.
John D. Brady, a shareholder in the Columbus office of Mitchell, McNutt & Sams, was recently re-elected to the board of directors for the United Way of Lowndes County. First organized in 1954 as the Columbus-Lowndes Community Chest, it became United Way in the mid-1970's and remains a volunteer-driven association providing funds to area charities and outreach support to the community at large. Named to the board of directors two years ago, John has worked with the group in various capacities for the last six years and feels honored by his re-appointment to the board: "The United Way is an organization I am eager to support with both my time and my money because all of its donations and resources stay here in Lowndes County."
James P. Wilson, Jr., also a Columbus shareholder and immediate past-president of the Lowndes County United Way, will serve on the board's executive committee again this year. Jim has a long-term affiliation with this group, having previously been a member of the executive committee, two-time pacesetter chairman, allocations chairman, assistant campaign chairman, campaign chairman, and then president for 2008-2009. Jim values this alliance and is strongly supportive of the charitable association's mission: "The United Way of Lowndes County is a tremendous organization serving over 20 agencies in the Columbus community, and I am proud of the work it does. It ultimately provides vital services to individuals who without United Way would not receive this critical assistance."
Other MMS attorneys have also actively served as leaders with United Way of Lowndes County: Ronald L. Roberts, having been campaign chairman and president of the Oxford-Lafayette County United Way, was professional division chair in 1987; Richard H. Spann was a board of directors member; and David L. Sanders was president in 1994-1995.
MMS Attorneys Present Seminar on Medical Records: John Wheeler, Brad Dillard, Beverly Buskirk, and Margaret Sams Gratz Review the law for Records Administrators, Practicing Attorneys, and Health Care Professionals.
Medical Records Law in Mississippi, a Lorman Education Services seminar, was presented March 4, 2009, in Tupelo by Beverly D. Buskirk, L. Bradley Dillard, Margaret Sams Gratz and John G. Wheeler. Directed toward all types of administrators who deal with health records, the presentation defined what constitutes a medical record, who owns it, who can access it and how long it must be retained. Participants were provided an overview of medical malpractice litigation, from filing to appeal, and were given techniques for handling subpoenas and other records requests. The one-day meeting also examined the confidentiality, disclosure, and documentation requirements of HIPAA from a historical perspective as well as examining current trends and future enforcement. Compliance strategies and special concerns relating to the release of certain types of medical records were discussed as well as advance medical directives and the Uniform Health Care Decisions Act.
The Best Lawyers in America 2009 Includes Attorneys Andy Phillips, Bill Murphree, Sandy Sams, Billy Spencer, Dennis Voge and John Wheeler.
The 2009 edition of The Best Lawyers in America again lists six attorneys from Mitchell, McNutt & Sams as outstanding lawyers in their respective fields of practice. Andy Phillips, a shareholder in the Oxford office of the firm, was selected for his work in the area of bankruptcy and creditor-debtor rights law. All other selectees are shareholders in the Tupelo office. Bill Murphree and Billy Spencer were chosen for product liability litigation, and Dennis Voge was selected for workers' compensation law. John Wheeler and Sandy Sams were both tapped for their expertise in medical malpractice and other professional malpractice law. Additionally, Sandy Sams, who has been honored by Best Lawyers for at least 20 years, was also associated with the areas of commercial litigation, personal injury litigation, and product liability litigation. This publication is the oldest peer-review directory of its type in the legal profession and currently includes 29,575 attorneys in 78 specialties, covering all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
MMS Shareholders Featured in 2008 Mid-South Super Lawyers: Sandy Sams, Guy Mitchell, Wendell Trapp, and John Wheeler Honored. Sams and Wheeler Also Identified Among the Top 50 Leading Attorneys in Mississippi. Bill Spencer, Jr. Selected as a Super Lawyers "Rising Star."
L.F. (Sandy) Sams, Jr., Guy W. Mitchell, III, Wendell H. Trapp, Jr., and John G. Wheeler have been featured in the 2008 edition of Mid-South Super Lawyers. The publication covers Arkansas, Mississippi and Tennessee and is published as a guide to the top five percent of attorneys in each state as nominated by their peers and independent research conducted by Law & Politics magazine. The 2008 Mid-South Super Lawyers is based on the survey of more than 13,000 attorneys who have been in practice for five years or more. This marks the third year that Sandy Sams, Wendell Trapp, and John Wheeler have been selected. In addition, Sams and Wheeler were identified among the top 50 leading attorneys in Mississippi. William C. Spencer, Jr. was designated as a Super Lawyers "Rising Star," the selection process for which is similar except that to be eligible for this list the candidate must be 40 years old or younger and in practice for ten years or less. Also, no more than 2.5 percent of the attorneys in a state may be so designated.
In all, seven Mitchell, McNutt & Sams shareholders have been honored as members of the Super Lawyers group:
Ronny Roberts Joins Five Other Mitchell McNutt Lawyers as Fellow of Mississippi Bar Foundation.
Ronald L. Roberts, shareholder in the Columbus office of Mitchell, McNutt & Sams, P.A. has been named a Fellow of the Mississippi Bar Foundation, a non-profit organization created to improve the administration of justice in the state. Membership comes from the bench and bar and is by invitation only, the “fellows” distinction being the Foundation’s highest honor. Only 10% of the lawyers of Mississippi are eligible and only fifteen attorneys may be selected per year. Their selection is a recognition by their peers that they possess the highest level of professionalism, competence, ethical standards and leadership ability as evidenced not only by their legal skills but also by their dedication and service to the public and the profession.
Ronny practices in the firm’s litigation section focusing on commercial, business, environmental, and personal injury matters. He also maintains an active alternative dispute resolution practice. He received his law degree from The University of Mississippi School of Law in 1977, with distinction.Other Mitchell, McNutt & Sams attorneys previously inducted as Fellows of the Mississippi Bar Foundation are:Michael D. Ferris,Guy W. Mitchell, III,L.F. (Sandy) Sams, Jr.,William C. Spencer, Sr. andWendell H. Trapp, Jr.
Alison Goodman Brings Unique Talent to Mitchell McNutt & Sams’s Corporate Practice; Enhances Firm’s Representation of Suppliers for Area’s New Toyota Plant.
Alison Ketner Goodman, an associate in the Tupelo office of Mitchell, McNutt & Sams, practices in the general business, corporate and finance section. Goodman’s fluency in Japanese brings a unique talent to the firm and enhances its ability to serve a new type of client for Northeast Mississippi. Toyota’s choice of Blue Springs as the site of its manufacturing facility for the Prius mid-sized hybrid vehicle opens the doors not only to a new industry and its major suppliers but to new cultures and customs as well. Ms. Goodman’s undergraduate education includes a major in Japanese Studies; and she has lived, worked, and studied in Japan. She clerked for a Japanese law firm in Tokyo before receiving her law degree from The University of Mississippi School of Law in 2003. Goodman also participated in a Japanese exchange teaching program for Japanese teachers of English, and it is this unique blend of the legal and the linguistic that will benefit the firm’s current and future clients in this particular arena. Goodman also brings a background in workers’ compensation matters to the firm.
John Wheeler Tapped for Fellowship in American College of Trial Lawyers.
John G. Wheeler, shareholder in the Tupelo office of Mitchell, McNutt & Sams, joins his colleagues L.F. Sams, Jr. and Wendell H. Trapp, Jr. (currently a member of the Mississippi state committee) as a fellow in the prestigious American College of Trial Lawyers. ACTL membership is by invitation only, after careful investigation, and is extended to those experienced trial lawyers who have mastered the art of advocacy and whose professional careers have been marked by the highest standards of ethical conduct, professionalism, civility and collegiality. Widely considered the premier professional trial organization in America, the ACTL membership can never be more than 1% of the total lawyer population of any state.Wheeler received his law degree from The University of Mississippi School of Law , magna cum laude, in 1989. He serves as the firm’s litigation section chair and practices exclusively in litigation, focusing upon the defense of medical and other professional liability claims, pharmaceutical and other product liability litigation, and other personal injury and general litigation matters.
Guy Mitchell begins practicing lawin Lee County, Mississippi.
Guy Mitchell , Jr., son of the founder, receiveshis law degree and joins his father’s practice.
Mitchell, McNutt, Lagrone and Sams of Tupelomerges with a long-standing Columbus firm,Threadgill Smith Sanders & Jolly, andbecomes Mitchell, McNutt, Threadgill,Smith & Sams, creating Mississippi’s largestlaw firm outside of Jackson.
Mitchell, McNutt and Sams celebratesa century of service.