Rick is a member of the Tort, Transportation and Specialized Litigation Group. He represents companies, businesses, property owners, individuals, and insurers defending various types of personal injury and product liability claims throughout the United States. He has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America® and Super Lawyers® and is AV®-Preeminent™ Peer-Reviewed Rated by Martindale-Hubbell®.
Overview
Rick is a member of the Tort, Transportation and Specialized Litigation Group. He represents companies, businesses, property owners, individuals, and insurers defending various types of personal injury and product liability claims throughout the United States. He has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America® and Super Lawyers® and is AV®-Preeminent™ Peer-Reviewed Rated by Martindale-Hubbell®.
Practice Areas
About
Rick is an experienced trial lawyer and has tried over 20 cases to verdict. His experience includes serving as trial counsel for a manufacturer of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the successful defense of a case involving allegations that PCBs caused plaintiffs’ cancer. Rick’s trial experience likewise includes premises liability, trucking accident, and auto accident cases. He also has extensive experience with arbitration and mediation. Rick has represented parties in numerous arbitrations, including seven arbitrations that proceeded through testimony, closing argument, and a decision from the arbitrator.
He is currently serving as a member of the nationwide defense team for a medical device manufacturer defending product liability claims related to hernia mesh throughout the United States. Rick’s role in this litigation is to assist with the management and coordination of similar litigation in different jurisdictions across the country.
Rick is active in a number of professional organizations. He is a member of the American Bar Association, the Trucking Industry Defense Association, the Defense Research Institute (DRI), the Mississippi Bar Association and the Madison County Bar Association, where he previously served as a member of the Board of Directors.
He obtained both his J.D., cum laude, and B.B.A., summa cum laude, in Banking and Finance from the University of Mississippi. He is admitted to practice in Mississippi.
Experience
- Trial counsel for a manufacturer of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in successful defense of case alleging that PCBs caused plaintiffs’ cancer.
- Member of nationwide defense team for a medical device manufacturer in the defense of product liability claims throughout the United States.
- Representation of a major foundation repair company defending various construction-related claims filed in Mississippi.
- Trial of over 20 cases to verdict.
- Extensive experience with arbitration and mediation.
Distinctions
- Martindale-Hubbell®
- AV® – Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated
- Best Lawyers in America®
- Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, 2012-2025
- Product Liability Litigation – Defendants, 2018-2025
- Super Lawyers®
- Mid-South Super Lawyers, General Litigation, 2013-2019
- Mid-South Rising Stars, General Litigation, 2008-2012
Bar Admissions
- Mississippi, 1998
- U.S. District Courts
- Texas: Western
- Mississippi: Northern, Southern
- U.S. Court of Appeals
- 5th Circuit
- 8th Circuit
- Federal Circuit
- U.S. Court of Federal Claims
Education
- University of Mississippi, J.D., cum laude, 1998
- University of Mississippi, B.B.A., Banking and Finance, summa cum laude, 1995
Associations
- American Bar Association
- Trucking Industry Defense Association
- Defense Research Institute (DRI)
- Mississippi Bar Association
- Madison County Bar Association
- Board of Directors, 2013-2014
Papers, Presentations & Publications
- Co-Author, "United States: The Legality and Advantages of Construction Management," Mondaq Business Briefing, November 2010.