Begley Law Firm, PLLC

His experience as a lawyer includes the following areas:

labor and employment;

civil and constitutional rights;

state and local government;

legislation;

campaigns and elections;

small business and nonprofit organization and governance;
construction;

environmental regulation; and

casino and charitable bingo regulation. He is a graduate of Millsaps College and the Univ

ersity of Mississippi School of Law. During his career, he has chaired the labor and employment law and gaming law sections of the Mississippi Bar. He maintains an AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rating in the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory. Before going to law school he worked for a year each in the offices of Mississippi Governor William Winter and Jackson Mayor Dale Danks. After graduating from law school he served as a law clerk to Judge Walter Nixon and Magistrate Judge Britt Singletary of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi in Biloxi. During his senior year in college he was an intern at the Joint Committee for Performance Evaluation and Expenditure Review (PEER) of the Mississippi Legislature. He was formerly associated with the law firms of Cupit and Maxey and Maxey, Pigott, Wann and Begley. He was the co-chairman of the transition team for Jackson Mayor Harvey Johnson, Jr. the City’s first African American mayor. He has formerly served on the boards of the Jackson Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Jackson Partners and the Greater Belhaven Neighborhood Foundation. He is married to Karen, a school guidance counselor, and they live in Jackson at 255 Eastbrooke St. Selected Unreported Court Cases

West Rankin Utility Authority v. City of Jackson, Rankin Co. Circuit Ct. No. 61CI1:15-cv-00089 (dispute over wastewater treatment agreement; represented the City)

City of Jackson v. Jackson Zoological Society, Inc., Hinds County Chancery Court No. 25CH1:19-cv-01216 (dispute with Zoo Board; represented the City)

Allen v. City Of Jackson (Water Billing System), Hinds Co. Chancery Ct Cause No. G-2019-782 (class action lawsuit;I represented the City)

City of Jackson Mississippi, v. Expert Professional Solutions LLC . Hinds County Circuit Court No. 25CO1:20-cv-00849-LCS (suit to recover unauthorized payments to contractor: represented the City)

Jackson v. City of Jackson, U.S. S.D. Miss. No. 3:20-cv-00719-DPJ-FKB (federal court water billing class action case; represented the City)

In re the Estate of Robert D. Childers , Deceased, Hinds County Chancery Court No. 17-359 ( represented the City of Jackson in a dispute with the executor over a bequest to the Jackson Zoo)

Lumumba vs. City Council of Jackson, Hinds County Circuit Court No.22-161(petition for writ of mandamus regarding council minutes; represented the City Council)

Harper v. Warren Co. Bd. of Supervisors , U.S. No. 3:21-CV-60-CWR-FKB (wrongful removal of elected county prosecuting attorney by board of supervisors; substantive due process; represented the Plaintiff. The district court ordered his reinstatement)

Brooks-Keys v. Coahoma County Mississippi School District, Coahoma County Chancery Court No. 14CH1:18-cv-00177 (wrongful termination of school superintendent; denial of procedural and substantive due process;represented the Plaintiff; the case settled)

White v. McBride, Bolivar County Circuit Court No. (election contest for Bolivar County supervisor; co-counsel for the defendant, an incumbent county supervisor who had been declared the winner of the election; the court ruled for the defendant and upheld the election)

Baulch v. Riley, Monroe County Circuit Court No. 2021-106 (City of Nettleton mayor election contest; represented the Plaintiff, who won the contest and obtained an order for a special election)

Young v. Freeman, Leflore County Circuit Court No. 2021-0025 ( City of Itta Bena mayor election contest; represented the Plaintiff, who won the contest and obtained an order for a special election)

Mullins v. McComb Municipal Democratic Executive Committee, Pike County Circuit Court No.22-CV-21 (election contest; residency involving misapplication of new ward boundaries; represented the Plaintiff, who obtained an order placing his name on the ballot)

Short v. Polles, Hinds County Chancery Court No. 17-848 (represented the Plaintiff in suit against the MS Dept. of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks in a dispute involving a deer depredation permit terminated by the agency)

Young v. Holmes County Democratic Executive Committee, Holmes County Circuit Court No. 2019-147 (election contest; residency; represented the plaintiff, a candidate for Sheriff. The court overturned the decision of the executive committee to disqualify the Plaintiff’s candidacy based on residency, ordering that his name be added tothe ballot)

Felder v. Eubanks, Pike County Circuit Court No. 16-48 (election contest; City of McComb selectman election; represented the Plaintiff; Court ordered a new election)

Felder v. Bowsky, Pike County Circuit Court No. 19-474 ( election contest; represented the Defendant, an incumbent county supervisor who had been declared the winner of the election; the court ruled for the Defendant and upheld the election)

Delta Regional Foundation v. Holcomb, Hinds County Court No. 17-4423 ( represented the Plaintiff who sued its CPA firm for professional negligence. The case settled.) Rush v. Cole, Kemper County Circuit Court No. 2019-64 (election contest: represented the defendant, an incumbent county supervisor who had been declared the winner of the election; the court ruled for the Defendant and upheld the election)

Downtown Jackson Partners v. Brune, Madison County Court No. 14-1131 (represented Plaintiff in an action to recover money stolen by former employee)

Reported Court Cases

McQuirter v. Archie, 311 So.3d 1147 (Miss. 2020) (election contest; candidate residency; represented the Plaintiff who challenged the residency of his opponent. The trial judge, sitting without a jury, ruled for the Defendant and a divided Supreme Court voted 4 to 3 to deny the appeal. Justice Griffis wrote the dissenting opinion (“In my opinion, the majority's decision is an outrage to the administration of justice”) stating that a new election should have been ordered.) Parks v. Horton, 299 So.3d 777 (Miss. 2020)(election contest; represented the Defendant)

Jones v. Merchants & Farmers Bank of Holly Springs, Mississippi, 2019 WL 2425675 (N.D. Miss. 2019) (ERISA pension benefits; discovery issue)

City of Jackson v. Allen,242 So.3d 8 (Miss. 2018) (zoning; bill of exceptions; represented Ben Allen, the President of Downtown Jackson Partners; circuit court overturned the City’s zoning decision; the circuit court ruling was upheld on appeal)

In re Validation of Tax Anticipation Note, Series 2014, 187 So. 3d 1025 (Miss. 2016)(bond validation; mootness; represented the Plaintiff in successfully challenging the lawfulness of public finance note issued by the Humphreys County Board of Supervisors)

Wilson v. Hosemann, 185 So. 3d 370 (Miss. 2016)(represented Plaintiff, a candidate for President whose name was left off the party primary ballot; Supreme Court found that Plaintiff was denied due process and ordered his name be placed on the ballot.) Garrett Enters. Consol., Inc. v. Allen Utils., LLC, 176 So.3d 800 (Miss.Ct.App.2015) (interpretation of arbitration clause in construction contract)

Powell v. Municipal Election Com'n of Town of Isola, 156 So. 3d 250 (Miss. 2014)(circuit court jurisdiction; bill of exceptions). Mississippi State Conference of NAACP v. Barbour, 2011 WL 1870222 (S.D.Miss.2011) (legislative redistricting; counsel for Mississippi Democratic Party)

Peakstone Financial Services, Inc. Carsten, 2009 WL 10675165 (S.D. Miss.2009) (motion to transfer case; represented the Defendant)

Ameristar Casino v. Duckworth, 990 So.2d 758 (Miss. S. Ct., June 19, 2008) (casino patron dispute jurisdiction)( filed amicus curiae brief in behalf of Miss. Casino Operators Association)

Hughes v. Hollywood Casino Corp. (N.D. Miss. 2008) 2007 WL 3256583, 2008 WL2164570 (sexual harassment; statute of limitations; represented the Defendant)

Young v. Stevens, 968 So.2d 1260 (Miss. 2007) (election contest; candidate residency)

Moore v. Parker, 962 So.2d 558 (Miss. 2007) (election contest)
Bayview Land, Ltd. State, 950 So.2d 966 (Miss. 2006) (casino; public trust tidelands lease)

Watkins Strategy and Resource Group v. WLC, LLC, 443 F.Supp.2d 778 (S.D. Miss. 2006) (venue)

Smith v. City of Jackson, 544 U.S. 228, 125 S. Ct. 1536 (2005) (City of Jackson police pay plan; age discrimination; represented the City)

City of Jackson v. Greene, 869 So.2d 1020 (Miss. 2004) (school board appointments; standing; ethics; represented the City)

Hearn v. City of Jackson, 110 Fed. Apx. 424 (5th Cir. 2004) 2003 U.S. LEXIS 26166 (S.D. Miss. 2003) (Title VII employment discrimination, disparate impact; police sergeant's exam; represented the City)

Kelly v. Moore, 376 F.2d 481 (5th Cir. 2004) (City of Jackson; false arrest; violation of civil rights; represented the City)

Columbia Land Development, LLC v. Secretary of State, 868 So.2d 1006 (Miss. 2004) (tidelands lease for casino development) (amicus curiae brief filed on behalf of Treasure Bay Corp.) Picou v. City of Jackson, 153 F.Supp.2d 891, 91 Fed. Appx. 340 (S.D. Miss. 2002) (Sex discrimination; job transfer;represented the City)

Miss. Gaming Comm'n v. Freeman, 747 So.2d 231 (Miss. 1999) (casino patron dispute)

Broadhead v. Bonita Lakes Mall, Limited Partnership, 702 So.2d 92 (Miss. 1999) (Sixteenth Section land lease)

Miss. State Gaming Comm'n v. Imperial Palace of Miss., Inc., 751 So.2d 1025 (Miss. 1999) (sports book, statutory interpretation, provided testimony for the casino as an expert witness)

Esco v. Scott, 735 So.2d 1002 (Miss. 1999) (election contest)

American State Ins. Co. Natchez Steam Laundry, 131 F.3d 551 (5th Cir. 1998) (insurance coverage; duty to defend; sexual harassment matter)

Cummings v. Benderman, 681 So.2d 97 (Miss. 1996) (election contest)

Marx v. Broom, 632 So.2d 1315 (Miss. 1994) (state income tax imposed on federal retirees)

Hatcher v. Fleeman, 617 So.2d 634 (Miss. 1993) (election contest)

Miss. Real Estate Comm. Falls, 620 So.2d 974 (Miss. 1993) (real estate broker's license revocation; represented the Real Estate Commission )

Freeman v. AT&T Fitness and Accident Plan, 823 F. Supp. 404 (S.D. Miss. 1993) (health and welfare benefits coverage)

Raju v. Rhodes, 809 F. Supp.1229 (S.D. Miss. 1992) (due process; employment contract)

Miss. Geico Financial Services, Inc., 602 So.2d 1155 (Miss. 1992) (regulation of time share plans; represented the Real Estate Commission )

Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co. Marx, 594 So.2d 615 (Miss. 1992) (commerce clause, use tax on natural gas transmission; represented the Plaintiff)

Miss. Employment Security Commission v. Sanderson Plumbing Products, 604 So.2d 615 (Miss. 1992) (unemployment benefits for striking workers replaced by employer)

Miss. White, 586 So.2d 805 (Miss. 1991) (real estate broker's license revocation; represented the Real Estate Commission)

Smith v. Alumax Extrusions, Inc., 868 F.2d 1469 (5th Cir. 1989) (union breach of duty of fair representation)

Holland v. Kennedy, 548 So.2d 982 (Miss. 1989) (real estate broker's license revocation; represented the Real Estate Commission)

Reported Financial Transactions

$90,000,000 Mississippi Development Bank Special Obligation Bonds, Series 2013 (City of Jackson, Mississippi Water and Sewer System Revenue Bond Project) (Co-Underwriter's Counsel)

$82,000,000 Mississippi Development Bank Special Obligation Bonds, Series 2012 A & B (City of Jackson, Mississippi Water and Sewer System Revenue Refunding Bond Project)(Underwriter's Counsel)

$64,940,000 Mississippi Development Bank Special Obligation Bonds, Series 2013 (City of Jackson, Mississippi General Obligation Bonds Capital City Convention Center Refunding Project) (Co-Underwriter's Counsel)

$49,000,000 Mississippi Development Bank Special Obligation Bonds, Series 2011 A and B (City of Jackson, Mississippi Water and Sewer System Revenue Refunding Bond Project) (Co-Bond Counsel)

2006 Interest Rate Swap with The Bank of New York in connection with the $12,000,000 ($11,225,000 outstanding) Mississippi Development Bank Special Obligation Bonds (Natchez Convention Center Project) (Counsel)

$9,695,000 Mississippi Development Bank Special Obligation Bonds, Series 2006 (Natchez, Mississippi Convention Center Refunding Bonds) (Co-Underwriter's Counsel)

$27,180,000 City of Jackson, Mississippi, Water and Sewer System Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 2005 (Co-Bond Counsel)

$20,960,000 City of Jackson Mississippi General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2005 (Co-Bond Counsel) (Co-Underwriter's Counsel)

$78,000,000 Mississippi Development Bank Special Obligation Bonds, Series 2004 (City of Jackson Water and Sewer System Revenue Refunding Bond Project) (Co-Underwriter's Counsel)

$20,000,000 Mississippi Development Bank Special Obligation Bonds, Series 2003 (City of Jackson, Mississippi General Obligation Bond Project) (Co-Underwriter's Counsel)

$40,520,000 City of Jackson, Mississippi Water and Sewer System Revenue Refunding Bonds, Series 2003 (Co-Bond Counsel)

$30,000,000 City of Jackson, Mississippi General Obligation Refunding Bonds, Series 2002 (Co-Underwriter's Counsel)

$50,000,000 Mississippi Development Bank Special Obligation Bonds, Series 2002 (City of Jackson, Mississippi Combined Water & Sewer System Revenue Bond Project) (Co-Bond Counsel)

$35,000,000 City of Jackson, Mississippi Water and Sewer Revenue Bond, Series 1999 (Co-Bond Counsel)

Lady Luck Gaming Corporation Initial Public Offering of 5 million shares priced at $16 per share, July 1993 (Mississippi Counsel)