Box 681
Tupelo, MS 38802
Office Phone: 662.842.0380
Fax: 662.842.7491
Toll Free: 877.281.4521
Wheeler and Franks Law Firm
Notable Cases and Activity
Wheeler and Franks Law Firm is one of a team of law firms who brought a lawsuit on behalf of individuals injured and killed in the 1998 attacks on the United States Embassies in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and Nairobi, Kenya. In 2002, they filed suit ag
ainst Sudan, Iran, and Osama bin Laden. This case was tried in October, 2010 and a verdict was returned in November, 2011 finding Sudan and Iran liable for materially supporting the terrorist activities of Al Qaeda. The firm also worked on PowerTrain, Inc., a Mississippi Corporation; Tool Mart, Inc., a Mississippi Corporation; Wood Sales Company, Inc., a Mississippi Corporation v. American Honda Motor Co., Inc., United States Federal Court for the Northern District of Mississippi (2003-2008). For this case, Bill and Jamie took over eighty-five (85) depositions in over twenty-seven (27) states in the United States, as well as China. The firm has successfully recovered significant settlements in several cases including personal injury claims, motor vehicle accidents, wrongful death actions, divorce proceedings, and numerous cases involving defective drugs. Wheeler and Franks Law Firm also has offices located in Oxford, Mississippi and Washington, DC.
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Attorney Biographies
William R. Wheeler, Jr. is a partner of Wheeler and Franks Law Firm with offices in Tupelo, Oxford, and Washington, DC. Wheeler represents both national and international clients in litigation matters. Wheeler primarily focuses on personal injury. Bill received his Bachelor of Arts from Millsaps College in 1984, and his Master of Arts from George Washington University in 1986. Bill received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Mississippi School of Law in 1997. He was admitted to the bar for the State of Mississippi in 1998 and is a member of the Mississippi Bar Association, Mississippi Trial Lawyer's Association, and American Association of Justice. Bill is also admitted to practice in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. Bill has served the public in several capacities, including as a Former Member of the Mississippi House of Representatives (1988-1995), Fellow to the European Parliament (1992), Democratic Nominee for the Mississippi First Congressional District (1994), Member of Democratic National Committee (2000-2004), Chairman of Senator John Kerry's Presidential Campaign for Mississippi (2004), and an Aide to Senator Howell Heflin (D - Alabama) (1984-1986). Wheeler was also appointed by former President Bill Clinton to serve as the Director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Farm Service Agency for the Southern United States from 1995 to 1998. Bill was appointed by the Speaker of the Mississippi House of Representatives to serve on the Mississippi State Ethics Commission for Government. He is currently serving his second four-year term on the Commission. Bill is married to Polina Wheeler and lives in Oxford, Mississippi. They have two children, Sophia and William.
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James R. "Jamie" Franks, Jr., Esq. James R. Franks, Jr. Franks represents both national and international clients on legislative issues as well as litigation matters. Jamie received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Mississippi in 1995. Jamie received his Juris Doctor degree from Mississippi College School of Law in 2000. Jamie was admitted to the bar for the State of Mississippi in 2001. Jamie is a member of the Mississippi Bar Association, Mississippi Association for Justice, and American Association of Justice. Jamie is also admitted to practice in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. Jamie has served the public in several capacities, including as the Democratic Nominee for Lieutenant Governor of Mississippi (2007), a Member of the Mississippi House of Representatives (as Majority Whip and Chairman of Conservation and Water Resources) from 1996-2008, and a Member of the Democratic National Committee. Jamie is currently serving as the Chairman for the Mississippi Democratic Party (2008-present). Jamie has two children, Jace and Nick, and lives in Mooreville, Mississippi.
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Alexis D. Culver, Esq. Alexis D. Culver is an associate attorney at Wheeler and Franks Law Firm. Alexis joined the firm in August, 2011. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Mississippi in 2005, where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in English. Alexis received her Juris Doctor degree (Cum Laude) from the University of Mississippi School of Law in May 2011. She also received the Criminal Law Certificate with Honors. Alexis was admitted to the bar for the states of Mississippi and Tennessee in October, 2011.
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Tammy Woodham
Tammy Woodham is a paralegal at Wheeler and Franks Law Firm. Tammy joined the firm in April, 2005. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from Mississippi University for Women in August, 1999. Tammy is married to Lee Woodham and lives in Wren, Mississippi. They have three children, Matthew, Alex, and Mason.
