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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.

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

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.

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.  

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

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