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75+ Years of Experience Representing Insurance Companies and Other Businesses in Complex Litigation

Civil litigation has been the core focus of our firm’s practice since its inception in 1946. Our litigators are skilled in the art of preparation and presentation, which we believe are the fundamental principles of success in the courtroom. From strategy and evidence to negotiation and expert engagement, every Daniel Coker trial attorney shares an equal commitment to managing the quality and cost of our legal representation. 

We understand that our clients need more than advocates - they need practical and strategic advice when charting a course for resolving complex and high-stakes matters. We work closely with our clients throughout the litigation process, utilizing the insights gained from our collective experience to offer guidance that makes business sense in the real world.

Daniel Coker attorneys handle a broad spectrum of civil claims in state and federal courts. In addition to experience representing clients in all 82 of Mississippi’s counties and the state’s seven federal divisions, our lawyers defend companies against plaintiffs’ claims in courts across Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Tennessee. Daniel Coker trial attorneys handle litigation involving all types of claims for civil liability. For example, we routinely serve as defense counsel for individuals and businesses in matters including:

  • Automobile accidents
  • Commercial transportation accidents
  • Fires and explosions
  • Medical malpractice
  • Premises liability
  • Products liability
  • Professional liability
  • Toxic torts and environmental torts
  • Structural failures and other construction defects
  • Workers’ compensation and other work injury claims

Our experience includes successfully defending against claims made by individual plaintiffs as well as cases involving complex multi-party litigation,  insurance coverage disputes, and bad faith insurance claims. Regardless of our clients’ needs, Daniel Coker attorneys have the skills necessary to assist in resolving legal disputes.

Protecting the Business and Reputation of Licensed Professionals 

As recently as the 1970s, few clients would have considered suing their accountant, architect, attorney, or other professional service provider. But, societal changes have triggered rapid expansion of professional liability litigation, and we have seen a notable increase in claims in recent years. Daniel Coker’s attorneys recognize that professional liability claims can cause significant damage to professional reputations and potentially put licenses at risk, in addition to presenting the risk of exposure to substantial civil liability.

Daniel Coker trial attorneys emphasize early intervention and, when possible, early resolution. We seek a favorable result before a public record is created. Our attorneys have gained considerable insight from experience in arbitration and litigation, affording early resolutions in many cases. Our success in professional liability arbitration and litigation includes securing favorable results on behalf of

Due to Daniel Coker’s reputation and experience in professional liability defense, we are consistently approved as counsel by professional liability and malpractice insurance companies. Daniel Coker has worked collaboratively with professionals and their insurance companies. When representing licensed professionals, our focus is always on achieving an efficient, favorable, and discrete resolution, and we rely on trial-tested defense strategies to proactively protect our clients.

In addition to representing licensed professionals (and their insurers) in professional liability litigation, Daniel Coker attorneys serve as defense counsel for administrative licensing proceedings. If a professional liability claim has put your license at risk, Daniel Coker attorneys can fight to protect your license and mitigate, if not entirely avoid, any potential civil liability. 

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Experienced Workers’ Compensation Defense

Daniel Coker’s attorneys represent employers, self-insureds, insurance companies, and third-party administrators in all types of workers’ compensation actions. These matters may include alleged personal injuries, occupational diseases, death, and other workers’ compensation issues. 

We aggressively defend our clients’ positions toward a fast resolution from the initial investigation to file closure. Our devotion to this area of law makes Daniel Coker a consistent and prominent presence before the Mississippi Workers' Compensation Commission, where our workers’ compensation attorneys have long been effective advocates for employers and carriers.

Workers’ compensation claims are equal parts medical and legal, and Daniel Coker is proud of our collective specialized knowledge in both areas, which positions us to handle even the most catastrophic of injuries, including defending employers and carriers in cases brought under the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act (LHWCA).  

In addition to representing clients in litigation, Daniel Coker attorneys prepare and present continuing education programs and updates for clients, risk managers, and claims adjusters, and are available for ongoing consultation, onsite client visits, and seminars. As one of Mississippi’s oldest and most well-established law firms representing employers and carriers in workers’ compensation matters, we are also “go-to” local counsel for many out-of-state law firms and companies. 

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Overview

Brantley is an associate in the Jackson office. His work encompasses a wide variety of practice areas primarily focused in the firm’s litigation department. Brantley excels in oral and written argument and has successfully authored and argued numerous summary judgment motions in a wide variety of cases involving labor and employment, professional liability, premises liability, government liability, and transportation issues in both state and federal courts. In addition to notable victories in motion practice, Brantley assists clients in resolving lawsuits through trial preparation and by other means such as alternative dispute resolution.

Before joining Daniel Coker, Brantley clerked at the Mississippi Court of Appeals for the Honorable T. Kenneth Griffis, Jr., now of the Mississippi Supreme Court, and was the Executive Editor of the Mississippi Sports Law Review during law school.

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Overview

Kristi focuses her practice on general litigation and governmental liability and has represented cities, counties, and school districts in every type of civil litigation. She regularly seeks and obtains summary judgment, effectively leveraging the Mississippi Tort Claims Act for its intended purposes of limiting governmental liability. She also has extensive experience in appellate matters and has been involved in appeals to the Mississippi Supreme Court, Mississippi Court of Appeals, United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court. Kristi credits her tenure as law clerk to the Honorable T. Kenneth Griffis, Jr. at the Mississippi Court of Appeals with having a significant influence on her practice.

Kristi is AV-Preeminent® rated by Martindale-Hubbell. She served as the secretary of the Russell-Blass-Walker Chapter of the American Inns of Court for 10 years and is a proud alumnus of the Leadership Gulf Coast Class of 2011 and Leadership Mississippi Class of 2013. 

Professional Affiliations

  • American Inns of Court
    • Russell-Blass-Walker Chapter, Secretary, 2008 – 2018
  • Defense Research Institute
  • Harrison County Bar Association
  • Mississippi Defense Lawyers Association
  • Mississippi Bar Association

Honors & Awards

  • Law Student Bar Association, President, 2005
  • Leadership Gulf Coast, Class of 2011
  • Leadership Mississippi, Class of 2013
  • Martindale-Hubbell, AV Preeminent® Rated

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Notable Cases

Overview

Steven Griffin focuses his practice in general litigation, with an emphasis in defending local governmental entities, corporations, and individuals in Section 1983 civil rights and constitutional tort litigation.  One of his subspecialties in this area is defending entities from the numerous lawsuits filed by jail inmates and pretrial detainees under the federal Prison Litigation Reform Act.  Steven approaches each case with an eye toward effective and efficient resolution, whether through summary judgment, alternative dispute resolution, trial, or appeal. 

Steven also enjoys serving in the legal community through the Mission First Legal Aid Office and the Central Mississippi Chapter of the Christian Legal Society, of which he is a Past President.  Prior to joining Daniel Coker, Steven served as a staff editor on the Mississippi Law Journal and as an extern with the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Mississippi.

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Overview

Ryne focuses his practice on general litigation, automobile accidents, personal injury, and premises liability.  He is experienced in a wide variety of insurance defense litigation and is determined to obtain successful results for his clients.  As an associate in the firm’s Gulfport office, Ryne’s work has yielded positive outcomes at various stages of his involvement in a case—be it before trial, at trial, or on appeal.  Recently, Ryne has obtained favorable results by way of his keen and robust motion practice.  Ryne’s peers have recognized his talent and determination and recently selected him as a Mid-South Rising Star in personal injury defense.

Ryne is also licensed to practice in Louisiana, further expanding his legal scope and ability to assist our clients.  Ryne came to Daniel Coker from Loyola New Orleans College of Law, where he was part of the Moot Court staff.  

Notable Cases

Overview

Gary is a senior attorney in the Jackson office of the firm and previously served as Chair of the firm’s Workers’ Compensation practice group for more than 13 years. He has been involved in workers’ compensation practice for over 40 years and has served as a mediator in hundreds of cases over the past 20 years. Gary is a Fellow of the Mississippi Bar Foundation and The College of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers and serves on the Board of the Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Educational Association. Gary is an established, well-respected leader in the field of Workers’ Compensation.

Gary has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America® in the field of Workers’ Compensation Law – Employers, and is AV Preeminent® Rated by Martindale-Hubbell.

Professional Affiliations

  • The College of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers
  • Mississippi Bar Association
  • Mississippi Defense Lawyers Association
  • Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Educational Association

Honors & Awards

  • Best Lawyers in America®, Workers’ Compensation – Employers, 2003 – Present
  • Lawyer of the Year – Workers’ Compensation Law, Best Lawyers in America®, 2015, 2018, 2021
  • The College of Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Fellow
  • Martindale-Hubbell, AV Preeminent® Rated
  • A.H. “Buddy” Mitchell Award, Administrative Law Section, Mississippi Bar, 2005
  • Kenneth G. Perry Professionalism Award, Workers’ Compensation Section, Mississippi Bar, 2009
  • Mississippi Contributor, Independent Contractor Status: State by State Legal Guide (R. Wood Ed.), 1993
  • Mississippi Law Journal, Research Editor, 1978 – 1979
  • Mid-South Super Lawyers – 2009, 2011 – 2015
  • Mississippi Bar Foundation Fellow

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Seminars & Speaking Engagements

Oxford

Post Office Box 1396
Oxford, MS 38655-1396

Jackson

Post Office Box 1084
Jackson, MS 39215-1084

Gulfport

Post Office Box 416
Gulfport, MS 39502-0416
For 75 years, the attorneys of Daniel Coker have been serving businesses, institutions, and governmental entities in Mississippi and the surrounding states.

Oxford

265 North Lamar Boulevard,

Suite R

Oxford, MS 38655

Get Directions

T: 662-232-8979

F: 662-232-8940

Jackson

4400 Old Canton Rd,

Suite 400

Jackson, MS 39211

Get Directions

T: 601-969-7607

F: 601-969-1116

Gulfport

1712 15th Street,

Suite 400

Gulfport, MS 39501

Get Directions

T: 228-864-8117

F: 228-864-6331

For 75 years, the attorneys of Daniel Coker have been serving businesses, institutions, and governmental entities in Mississippi and the surrounding states.