Attorneys Charles E. Cowan and Jennifer H. Scott recently obtained a victory in an appeal before the Claiborne County Circuit on behalf of their client Claiborne County, Mississippi and the Claiborne County Board of Supervisors. The former Claiborne County fire chief filed an appeal with the Claiborne County Circuit Court of the Claiborne County Board of Supervisors’ decision to demote him following allegations of misconduct. After one appeal and a remand to the Board for further proceedings, the Fire Chief filed a second appeal. In her nine-page decision issued on February 12, 2024, the Honorable Tomika H. Irving, a circuit judge in the 22nd Circuit Court District, agreed with Charles and Jennifer’s clients that the Board’s decision was supported by substantial evidence and that the Board had not acted arbitrarily or capriciously in deciding to demote its former fire chief.
Author Archives: Kimber Riley
Super Lawyers 2024
Wise Carter is proud of the reputation our attorneys uphold in the state of Mississippi. Wise Carter is pleased to share the selection of The Super Lawyer 2024 list. Two of our attorneys have been recognized on the Rising Stars list as well as three listed on the Super Lawyers list. Only five percent of attorneys from each state are chosen to be on The Super Lawyers list. The Rising Stars list recognizes no more than 2.5 percent of attorneys in each state. Congratulations to the attorneys listed below.
Jackson, Mississippi
- Charles Cowan
- Mid-South Rising Star
- E. Poteat Lutken Jr.
- Mid-South Rising Star
- Eugene Naylor
- Mid-South Super Lawyers
- Michael Wallace
- Mid-South Super Lawyers: Top 50 Mississippi
Gulfport, Mississippi
- Henry Laird
- Mid-South Super Lawyers
Wallace and Cowan Obtain Significant Victory at Fifth Circuit
Mike Wallace and Charles Cowan obtained a significant victory at the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals on behalf of eight members of the Mississippi Legislature involving the Jackson Municipal Airport Authority (JMAA) in the case JMAA, et al v. Harkins, et al; United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit; 98 F.4th 144 (5th Cir. 2024).
The City of Jackson, along with others, sued various state and county officers to invalidate a statute adopted by the Mississippi Legislature to expand the board governing the Jackson International Airport to include representatives of adjacent counties and other directors appointed by state officers. Certain plaintiffs issued subpoenae to eight current and former Members of the Mississippi Legislature to obtain their communications and other documents in their files related to the passage of the challenged law, Senate Bill 2162. The Legislators retained Wise Carter to challenge those subpoenae on grounds of legislative privilege and jurisdiction. The case has previously gone before the Fifth Circuit three times (one of those times en banc). Following the third appeal in this seven-year-old case, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals finally invalidated the subpoenae in whole, finding that the District Court had no jurisdiction over the claims to which those subpoenae related because the issuing party, the JMAA Board, lacked standing. This victory now advances the State’s efforts to create a new airport authority board consistent with Senate Bill 2162.
A previous victory in this case in the second appeal expanded the scope of legislative privilege available to state legislators. Recognition of immunity of Legislators from compelled testimony is important in order to enable them to do their jobs. The Mississippi Legislature adopts hundreds of statutes every year. Mike Wallace’s and Charles Cowan’s victory for the Mississippi Legislature will prevent future attempts to force legislators to testify about any number of them.
Wise Carter Achieves The 2023-2024 Mansfield Certification
We are proud to announce that our firm has achieved Mansfield Certification for 2023–24!
Mansfield is a year-long, structured certification process that we’ve committed to since 2023 to ensure all talent at our firm has a fair and equal opportunity to advance into leadership. The focus is on opening the door wider and ensuring that opportunities for advancement are transparent and inclusive for everyone. By asking that at least 30% of our talent pools considered for leadership roles consist of underrepresented groups and that our advancement processes are transparent, Mansfield creates a level playing field for all.
Data shows that firms that remain committed and accountable to the Mansfield Certification process year-over-year are making substantial progress in creating inclusive talent practices and diversifying their leadership ranks. We have experienced positive progress at our firm since we joined Mansfield, and we remain committed to taking measurable actions to ensure that our processes are — and remain — inclusive.
We are proud to stand with the 360+ firms that have achieved Mansfield Certification to advance a core value in the legal profession: the belief that everyone should have a fair opportunity for career advancement. We believe that by making our workplace one where everyone can succeed, we can better serve our clients and communities.
If you are interested in learning more about Mansfield Certification, please contact Jennifer Scott, Wise Carter Child and Caraway’s Chair of Diversity and Inclusion.
Wise Carter Reaffirms Commitment to Mansfield Certification for 2024-2025
We are proud to announce that our firm is reaffirming its commitment to Mansfield Certification for 2024–2025.
Since joining Mansfield in 2023, we have been working hard to increase the transparency and accessibility of our advancement processes, and to open the door wider to ensure that all talent at our firm has a transparent, fair, and equal opportunity to be considered for leadership roles and activities. This is for the benefit of our talent and our clients.
Data shows that firms that remain committed and accountable to the Mansfield Certification process year-over-year are making substantial progress in creating inclusive talent practices and diversifying their leadership ranks. We have experienced positive progress at our firm since we joined Mansfield, and we remain committed to taking measurable actions to ensure that our processes are — and remain — inclusive.
We are excited to continue to be part of the Mansfield community, which is now 365+ firms strong — the largest cohort to date.
We believe that by making our workplace one where everyone can succeed, we can better serve our clients and communities. If you are interested in learning more about Mansfield or our participation, please contact our Diversity & Inclusion Committee Chair, Jennifer Scott at jhs@wisecarter.com.
Wise Carter Attorneys Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® 2025
Wise Carter is pleased to share the selection of this year’s list of The Best Lawyers in America® 2025. Wise Carter celebrates the success of 27 attorneys who have been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America®. Congratulations to our attorneys listed below for their accomplishments.
A special recognition is given to James C. Simpson, Jr. and W. McDonald Nichols for being awarded as “Lawyer of the Year” for 2025. As well as, Charles Cowan and Mallory Street for being recognized as “Ones to Watch” for 2025.
- Jackson, MS
- Mark P. Caraway
- Litigation – Health Care
- Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants
- Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
- Betty Toon Collins
- Commercial Transactions/UCC Law
- Corporate Compliance Law
- Corporate Governance Law
- Corporate Law
- Health Care Law
- Gaye Nell Currie
- Litigation – Health Care
- Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
- Viriginia S. Gautier
- Workers Compensation Law – Employers
- D. Collier Graham, Jr.
- Corporate Law
- Health Care Law
- Litigation – Health Care
- R. Mark Hodges
- Health Care Law
- Litigation – Health Care
- Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants
- Elizabeth G. Hooper
- Commercial Transactions/UCC Law
- Health Care Law
- Kimberly N. Howland
- Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants
- Douglas E. Levanway
- Energy Law
- Energy Regulatory Law
- Litigation – Labor and Employment
- Litigation – Regulatory Enforcement (SEC, Telecom, Energy)
- Eugene R. Naylor
- Health Care Law
- Insurance Law
- Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants
- Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
- W. McDonald Nichols
- Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law
- Litigation – Trusts and Estates
- Real Estate Law
- Trusts and Estates
- Cory L. Radicioni
- Insurance Law
- George H. Ritter
- Health Care Law
- Litigation – Health Care
- Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
- Railroad Law
- Charles E. Ross
- Insurance Law
- Railroad Law
- Jennifer H. Scott
- Litigation – Labor and Employment
- Workers’ Compensation Law – Employers
- Andrew D. Sweat
- Workers’ Compensation Law – Employers
- Michael B. Wallace
- Appellate Practice
- Bet-the-Company Litigation
- Commercial Litigation
- Government Relations Practice
- Barbara Childs Wallace
- Employment Law – Management
- Litigation – Labor and Employment
- Mark P. Caraway
- Hattiesburg, MS
- Joe D. Stevens
- Banking and Finance Law
- Joe D. Stevens
- Gulfport, MS
- Thomas L. Carpenter
- Construction Law
- Insurance Law
- Litigation – Insurance
- Lynda C. Carter
- Litigation – Health Care
- Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants
- Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
- David C. Goff
- Litigation – Labor and Employment
- Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants
- Frederick T. Hoff, Jr.
- Litigation and Controversy – Tax
- Real Estate Law
- Tax Law
- Henry F. Laird, Jr.
- Commercial Litigation
- Litigation – First Amendment
- James C. Simpson, Jr.
- Commercial Litigation
- Corporate Law
- Government Contracts
- Government Relations Practice
- Thomas L. Carpenter
“Lawyer of the Year”: Awards
- Jackson, MS
- W. McDonald Nichols – Eminent Domain and Condemnation Law
- Gulfport, MS
- James C. Simpson, Jr. – Corporate Law
“Ones to Watch”: Awards
- Jackson, MS
- Charles E. Cowan – Appellate Practice
- Mallory M. Street – Insurance Law
Governor Tate Reeves appoints Charles Cowan to the Board of Directors for MPB
On June 3, 2024, Governor Tate Reeves appointed Charles Cowan, a Wise Carter shareholder, for a three-year term on the Board of Directors for Mississippi Public Broadcasting. His appointment is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate during the 2025 legislative session. His appointment was effective immediately. Governor Reeves is grateful for Charles’ willingness to serve in this way.
Charles is one of six board members of the statutory Educational Television Authority, which governs the State’s only public media organization. Established in 1970, Mississippi Public Broadcasting is a trusted organization that educates, enlightens, and entertains Mississippians. Mississippi Public Broadcasting is the only public statewide radio and television broadcast network and has received over 400 national, regional, and statewide awards.
Wise Carter congratulates Charles for his recognition and achievement receiving Governor Reeves’ appointment.
Wise Carter Attorneys Ranks in Chambers USA 2024
Wise Carter is proud to share our attorneys were ranked in the Chambers and Partners 2024 USA Edition. Chambers and Partners take extensive measures to research attorneys through reputation and client feedback. We are pleased to be recognized again in the Chambers and Partners Guide.
The Wise Carter attorneys ranked in the 2024 Chambers Guide were Charles E. Cowan, Doug E. Levanway, George H. Ritter, Joe D. Stevens, and Michael B. Wallace. The firm also ranked in Litigation for General Commercial and Corporate Commercial.
2024 Chambers and Partners USA
Attorney Rankings
- Charles E. Cowan
- Up and Coming Litigation: General Commercial
- Doug E. Levanway
- Energy and Natural Resources
- George Ritter
- Litigation: General Commercial
- Joe D. Stevens
- Corporate/Commercial
- Michael B. Wallace
- Litigation: Appellate
- Litigation: General Commercial
Firm Department Rankings
- Corporate/Commercial
- Litigation: General Commercial
Wise Carter is a Mississippi leading law firm with a legacy of providing legal expertise for over a century. Wise Carter has offices located in Jackson, Hattiesburg, and Gulfport, Mississippi. For more information on the firm, please visit www.wisecarter.com.
Charles Cowan Presents Oral Argument in Third Circuit Court
Charles Cowan presented oral argument on May 7, 2024, before a panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit Court in Philadelphia, PA, which was comprised of Judges Jane Richards Roth, Paul Matey, and Tamika Montgomery-Reeves.
Charles represents Derrick Evans, a former classmate of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, who filed a defamation lawsuit against The Huffington Post over an article it published during Justice Kavanaugh’s confirmation proceedings. Derrick Evans appealed a Delaware federal court’s holding that applied New York substantive law and New York’s shorter statute of limitations period to Evans’ claims. The oral argument focused on Mississippi Supreme Court precedent and its application of Mississippi’s “savings statute” to the case at hand. The Third Circuit specifically inquired about the applicability of the “savings statute” and the Supreme Court of Mississippi decision in Owens v. Mai. Charles argued that the facts in Owens v. Mai differed from the facts in the case at hand and that if the Court looks at Evan’s case alone, it meets all criteria for application of the savings statute.
Arguments are currently under consideration by the panel. Law360 reported on Charles’ argument, which can be found here for Law360 subscribers.
Wise Carter is the Exclusive Partner for Mississippi for the WorkCompCollege.com
Wise Carter is proud to be the state information partner for Mississippi for the WorkCompCollege.com, a division of Workers’ Compensation Educational Services, LLC. Our attorneys, Jennifer Scott (Shareholder) and Katelyn Foster (Associate) collaborated with WorkCompCollege.com to create the unique training program.
In the first quarter of 2024, WorkCompCollege.com added six states to their State-Specific Training Program. Bringing the total number of jurisdictions to 21 covering all corners of the country, from Maine to Alaska and from California to Florida. The regulatory details and anecdotal nuances are explained by instructors with decades of experience in each state, supplemented by additional resources for even more detail. The All-States program, which provides access to all published states through a single student login, has continued to gain attention and value for claims professionals that manage multiple jurisdictions.
For a complete list of the states currently available, go to their Educational Partners page at https://workcompcollege.com/educational-partners/.
The following states were added in the first quarter of 2024:
- Kentucky: State Information Partner – JSB Attorneys PLLC (https://jsbattorneys.com/). The instructors are H. Doug Jones (Partner), Margaret J. Menefee (Associate), and Robert L. Swisher (Director, Claims-Legal, for Kentucky Employers’ Mutual Insurance).
- Mississippi: State Information Partner – Wise Carter Child and Caraway, P.A. (https://www.wisecarter.com/). The instructors are Jennifer H. Scott (Shareholder), and Katelyn D. Foster (Associate).
- North Carolina: State Information Partner – Cranfill Sumner, LLP (https://www.cshlaw.com/). The instructors are Bradley Kline (Partner), and Charles L. Hicks III (Partner).
- Oklahoma: State Information Partner – Lott & Valentine (https://www.lottvalentine.com/). The instructors are Dean Lott (Principal), and John Valentine (Principal).
- South Carolina: State Information Partner – Robinson Gray (https://robinsongray.com/). The instructors are Nicholas L. Haigler (Member), and Kelly Morrow (Member).
- Virginia: State Information Partner – Franklin & Prokopik (www.fandpnet.com). The instructor is Lynn M. Fitzpatrick (Principal).
For further information about this unique training program and to stay updated as new states are published, please visit https://workcompcollege.com/state-specific-training-module-program/ or email sales@WorkCompCollege.com.
Wise Carter is a Mississippi leading law firm with a legacy of providing legal expertise for over a century. Wise Carter has offices located in Jackson, Hattiesburg, and Gulfport, Mississippi. For more information on the firm, please visit www.wisecarter.com.