Phelps Dunbar LLP announces that five lawyers have joined the firm’s Jackson, Mississippi office. Partners Calvin Wells, Suzanna “Suzie” Baker and A.M. “Eddy” Edwards III, as well as counsel Richard A. Montague, Jr. and associate Laura M. Glaze started at Phelps Dunbar on November 18.
“The firm is pleased to expand our business practice with these highly skilled, veteran attorneys. They bring experience in a variety of areas, including financing, M&A, real estate, and tax as well as bankruptcy and litigation that will complement the services we have offered in Jackson for decades,” said Michael D. Hunt, Firm Managing Partner. “This addition benefits our clients in Mississippi and across the Southeast.”
Bridgforth Rutledge, Practice Coordinator of the Firm’s Jackson Business Group, said “The skillset of these new attorneys fits perfectly within our practice area, and, like us, they are deliberately focused on helping Mississippi businesses find real, practical solutions that will actually benefit the business.”
“We are thrilled to be associated with Phelps Dunbar in Jackson,” said Mr. Wells. “The firm’s presence across Mississippi and the Gulf Coast, coupled with the expanded services that are now available to our clients, makes this a terrific move for all of us.”
The partners joining Phelps Dunbar – Mr. Wells, Ms. Baker and Mr. Edwards – each bring more than 30 years of legal experience to the firm. Mr. Wells’ business law practice includes business counseling, contract negotiations, commercial financing transactions, mergers and acquisitions, commercial law and sports law. Ms. Baker’s practice includes mergers and acquisitions, business and corporate law matters, commercial real estate, commercial finance, and contract negotiations. Mr. Edwards focuses his practice on estate planning, wills, trusts, tax law, tax controversies, and general commercial, real estate and business transactions.
Mr. Montague and Ms. Glaze both practice in the areas of bankruptcy law and commercial litigation. Mr. Montague represents creditors, debtors and trustees in his bankruptcy practice and also has experience in business, real estate and fiduciary litigation. Ms. Glaze represents clients in transactions, including contract negotiations, and wills and estate planning.
In addition to strong legal practices and memberships with local and national bar associations, these attorneys are committed to strengthening the Jackson community through civic service.
Mr. Wells is a board member of several Jackson-area institutions, including Belhaven University, First Presbyterian Day School, Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum, Mississippi Kidney Foundation, First Commercial Bank and JFM, Inc. Ms. Baker is active with the North Jackson Rotary Club and serves on the board of the Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi.
Phelps Dunbar now has 50 attorneys practicing across Mississippi in offices in Jackson, Tupelo and Gulfport.
