DeSoto County Lawyers

Anna is focused on providing high-quality general legal counsel in a variety of areas, including divorce, child custody, estate planning and probate, land issues, real estate closings, juvenile law, criminal law, elder law, family law, and business formation.

After graduating from the University of Virginia Law School in 1975, Mr. Cocke moved to Clarksdale, MS to begin practicing in a general litigation firm. In 1982, Mr. Cocke and Mr. Merkel left that firm and established Merkel & Cocke, P.A., and since that time the emphasis of Mr. Cocke’s practice has progressed more and more toward medical malpractice.

Dalton Middleton practices primarily in the area of bankruptcy.

He is also experienced in family law (child custody and support), and wills and estates (wills, trust, life estates, power of attorney, guardianships, conservatorships, and end of life directives).

I have 41 years legal experience representing both plaintiffs and defendants. This year I have had over $8,000,000 in legal settlements in just 4 cases. My top paralegal has been with me for 39 years and is considered by her peers to be the best in the area. I often start my workday at 4 am when it’s quiet and I can do my research and writing. I’ve been fortunate to represent not only individuals but several local, national and international companies as well as our State and 7 different Indian Tribes nationwide. I often work by...

Robert “Bobby” Montgomery grew up in Madison, Mississippi where he attended Madison Ridgeland Academy and was a member of First Baptist Church of Madison. He earned a degree in business administration and a doctorate in law from Mississippi College. He has been married to Heather Bridges Montgomery for over fourteen years and they have a daughter in kindergarten. Bobby’s experience in law includes Worker’s Compensation, Contracts, Wills and Estates, Timber Rights, and General Civil Litigation. Bobby furthered his knowledge of the legal system during his time as a Special Agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigations. While focusing his efforts on...

Mr. Lewis was born in Clarksdale, Mississippi on June 15, 1953. He was admitted to the bar in 1980. Mr. Lewis received a B.A. from Delta State University in 1976 and a J.D. in 1980 from the University of Mississippi. Mr. Lewis joined Chapman Lewis & Swan and became a partner of the firm in 1990. Mr. Lewis is a member of the Coahoma County Bar Association, the Mississippi State Bar, the Mississippi Trial Lawyers Association, National Association of Defense Lawyers, The National Trial Lawyers, Mississippi Association of Justice Lawyers. Mr. Lewis has been selected by The Best...

Rundlett Law Firm is proud to announce that Steven Price Nixon is joining our awesome team! Steven will be helping people strategize their life plans with Wills, Trusts, and Health Care Directives. He will also handle Estate and Probate matters in Chancery Court. Additionally, Steven will help families with their property issues and can help cure land title problems. Steven is a native of Clinton, Mississippi. He and his wife, Fran, are raising three sons. Steven earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree, magna cum laude, from Louisiana Tech University in 1999 and his Doctor of Jurisprudence, cum laude, from Mississippi College...

Kerry M. Bryson is a graduate of University of Mississippi School of Law. He was formerly a Network Engineer and Information Technology Systems Administrator for law firms and owned computer service companies. He leverages his broad legal training and technology skills to bring efficiency and savings to his clients. Mr. Bryson obtained a degree in philosophy from the University of Mississippi. He focused on the study of logical systems. He obtained his Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer status through self-study. He has a passion for finding more efficient methods for accomplishing tasks, and he is skilled at comprehending complicated systems....

Heather D. Blansett grew up in Chickasaw County, Mississippi. She received a J.D. degree from the University of Mississippi School of Law in 2015, and she was sworn in to practice law as a member of the Mississippi Bar in November of 2015. She enjoys practicing law in a variety of areas.

J. Kevin Rundlett was raised in Middle Tennessee and grew up in a Christian family. He graduated from Auburn University in 1995 and Mississippi College School of Law in 2001. He is married to Vicki Rundlett and they have three beautiful children. Lawyers at Rundlett Law Firm, PLLC have been helping Mississippi citizens with injury cases for over 20 years. We understand that helping clients with an injury case means more than just collecting an insurance check. Mr. Rundlett has been practicing law for 20 years. He has extensive litigation and trial experience. Rundlett Law Firm now focuses on helping injured...

Graduate of University of Mississippi School of Law in December 1999. Helping people get a fresh start with their finances for 15 years. Prior experience also includes Law Clerk for the 1st Judicial Chancery Court District, Felony Prosecutor for the 1st Judicial Circuit Court District, and private general practice before narrowing focus to those in need of a restart in their lives financially.

Experienced litigator for over 20 years specializing in criminal defense, family law and personal injury. Realize that bad things happen to good people and need somebody with expertise to level the playing field and get the best possible results.

Richard B. Lewis, Jr. was born in Clarksdale, Mississippi on June 8, 1978. Richard attended Mississippi State University and received a B.B.A. in 2000 and a M.B.A. in 2001. Richard attended Mississippi College School of Law where he received his J.D. in 2006. Richard is a member of the following states bar: Mississippi, 2006. Richard joined Chapman, Lewis & Swan as an associate in 2006. His primary areas of practice are General Civil Litigation, Personal Injury, Family Law and Criminal Law. Richard is admitted to practice before all State Courts in Mississippi, the U.S. Court of Appeals...

Born July 24, 1984 to the late Mr. Jesse Adams and Mrs. Viola Adams in Grenada, Ms. At the tender age of six, she knew that she wanted to be an attorney to make a difference in her community. She graduated with honors from the Grenada High School in 2002 and was inducted into the National Honor Society. Being a talented musician and avid learner, she continued her studies at the University of Memphis. At the University of Memphis, her honors entailed Dean's List, National Dean's List, Whoâs Who Among American College Students and has been nominated as a Candidate...

I was born in Crosby, North Dakota. Prior to the study of law, I served in the United States Coast Guard from 1990-1995. I was admitted to the Mississippi Bar in 2002 following my graduation from the University of Mississippi School of Law. I am a member of the Coahoma County Bar Association, the Mississippi Bar and the Mississippi Association for Justice.

For more than 40 years, Mr. Merkel has personally delivered more than 400 jury presentations in the representation of personal injury victims whose cases involved complex medical and technical injury mechanisms and causation problems.

Immigration and Nationality Law are my two main focus areas. I represent non-citizens in a variety of contexts, including removal defense, filing petitions with USCIS, habeas corpus petitions in federal district courts for prolonged immigration detention, federal criminal defense of federal immigration and firearms offenses and appeals to the Federal Courts of Appeal (5th and 6th Circuits) and the Board of Immigration Appeals. I also serve non-citizens and their families in Mississippi state court proceedings. We are a multi-lingual firm and welcome clients who may not speak English as a first language.

I was born in Bogota, Colombia. I immigrated to the United States as a small child. I grew up in and around Fort Lauderdale, Florida. I became a naturalized United States Citizen when I was about 21. I joined the U.S. Army Reserve in 2000, and after 9/11, I spent more than two years on active duty tours. Fortunately, I was not deployed overseas and was able to remain state-side during my active duty tours. I met my husband through the military and moved to Mississippi when we got married. I received my Bachelor's in Business Management, cum laude,...

Charles M. Merkel, III was born and raised in Clarksdale, MS. He attended the University of Mississippi for his undergraduate and law degrees, graduating with honors both times. While at Ole’ Miss as an undergraduate, he was awarded the Taylor Medal for English; this is the University’s highest academic honor, awarded to less than 1% of the student body. Upon graduation, he received the coveted position as a judicial law clerk for US District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi, Jackson Division.

Robert Quimby practices in the litigation section of the firm. His practice includes general litigation, business/commercial litigation, general business and corporate representation, personal injury litigation, and representation related to land use, zoning, and eminent domain. Mr. Quimby has represented numerous governmental entities, businesses, and individuals on a wide range of civil matters.

In May 2002, Casey received his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Mississippi State University where he graduated cum laude. In December 2004, Casey received his Juris Doctor from the University of Mississippi School of Law, with honors. After passing the February 2005 Mississippi Bar Exam, Casey began practicing law with his father, Duncan Lott. He was admitted to Practice in the State and Federal Courts of Mississippi and the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in 2005. He was also admitted to practice in Alabama in 2006. Since entering the practice of law, Casey has secured multi-million...

John Michael Bailey came of age during the heart of the Civil Rights Movement. He was one of the many who marched and protested for the rights of those who were wronged. He was part of a generation that could change the world, and make it better. He still has that belief today.

John Michael Bailey started law school at the University of Memphis at the age of twenty one, and started representing people at the age of twenty two. He started off by helping and representing the Vietnam Veterans through Legal Services at the age of twenty two. In his...

Edward (Ted) P. Connell, Jr., is a partner with the law firm of Merkel & Cocke, P.A. Mr. Connell received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Mississippi in 1994, graduating cum laude. This was followed by receipt of his Juris Doctor from the University of Mississippi School of Law in 1997. While attending the University of Mississippi School of Law, Mr. Connell authored “Mississippi Casinos and the Detention of a Patron: What are the Parameters of a Casino’s Powers in Detaining a Patron and the Subsequent Liability Which Can Follow?” which was published in the National Gaming Law...

Settling legal matters is sometimes difficult. Mr. Gaggini's education and experience gives him unique insights and skills. With a bachelor degree in business, he can understand the business aspects. With a masters degree in theology he gives steady, hopeful counsel. Then there are the eight years he served as a hospital minister. Of course, you want to know that he graduated law school with honors, has been an attorney 20 years, serves as adjunct professor of law at Belhaven University, and authored numerous books and articles on the law. He will always put your best...

Ed Williams earned his Juris Doctorate with honors, Cum Laude, in 2016 from Mississippi College School of Law. Ed completed his undergraduate work at Mississippi State University where he earned a bachelor of arts degree in Political Science.

While in law school, Ed was a member of the MC Law Moot Court Board, Law Student Bar Association, Phi Alpha Delta Honors Program, American Association for Justice, and the Mississippi Association for Justice. As a member of the 2016 ABA Arbitration moot court competition team, Ed won first place in the National Championship. He was also a finalist in the...

Todd Jeffreys was born in Jackson, Mississippi in 1974. After graduating high school, he attended the University of Mississippi where he obtained a Bachelor of Business Administration, cum laude, degree in 1997. While at Ole Miss, Todd was a member of the Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society and the Golden Key National Honor Society.Upon obtaining his undergraduate degree, Todd attended law school at the University of Mississippi where he obtained is Juris Doctor, cum laude, degree in 2000. While at Ole Miss law school, Todd was a member of the Mississippi Law Journal, the Moot Court Board and was awarded...

Barry Walker has been a licensed practicing attorney in Mississippi since 1975. His practice is national in scope, it is limited to the field of immigration and is concentrated in the representation of international medical graduates, information technology workers and college and university professors and researchers. He is a member of the Mississippi Bar, the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and the International Medical Graduates Taskforce. He has served on AILA's Ethics Committee, the Business Immigration Response Taskforce and has served as an AILA Mentor for many years.

John C. Cox was born and raised in Cleveland, Mississippi. He is a 1996 graduate of Delta State University and a 1999 graduate of the University of Mississippi School of Law. He is licensed before all state and federal courts in Mississippi, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court. He is an "AV" rated lawyer by the Martindale-Hubbell, and has been listed in Super Lawyers magazine on multiple occasions. His areas of practice include all civil and criminal law, including family law, personal injury, and white collar criminal defense. ...