William W. Sumrall

William Sumrall was born in Newton, Miss. on March 11, 1943. He was admitted to the bar in 1966, Mississippi, U.S. Court of Military Appeals; 1971, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Mississippi; 1972, U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit. He graduated from the University of Mississippi (B.B.A., 1964; J.D., 1966). Omicron Delta Kappa; Phi Alpha Delta.

Mr. Sumrall is a member of the Jones County Bar Association, the Mississippi Bar Association and the Mississippi Defense Lawyers Association. In addition, Mr. Sumrall previously served in the United States Army [Capt., JAGC, U.S. Army, 1966-70]. Mr. Sumrall is married to Priscilla and they are both very active in First Baptist Church, where Mr. Sumrall is honored to serve as a deacon.

Practice Areas: Real Estate, Probate, Wills & Estates

Associations:Associations: American Bar Association, Mississippi Bar Association, Jones County Bar Association, Mississippi Defense Lawyers Association
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Richard L. Yoder

Richard Yoder was born in Laurel, Miss. on September 15, 1948. He was admitted to the bar in 1977, Mississippi; 1978, U.S. District Court, Southern District of Mississippi. He graduated from the Mississippi State University (B.A., 1971), and is a graduate of the Jackson School of Law at Mississippi College (J.D., 1977).

Mr. Yoder is a member of the Jones County Bar Association, American Bar Association, and the Mississippi Bar Association as well as the Mississippi Defense Lawyers Association. Mr. Yoder also previously served as President of the Jones County Bar Association. In addition, Mr. Yoder was recently elected to serve on the Board of Directors of the Mississippi School Board Association. Mr. Yoder and his wife, Debbie, are extremely active in First Baptist Church, as well as several civic and community organizations.

Practice Areas: Insurance Defense, Banking Law, School Law, Commercial Law, Business Litigation, Labor and Employment, State and Federal Civil Litigation, Corporate Law, Products Liability Defense, Insurance Defense, Probate, Wills & Estates

Associations: Associations: American Bar Association, Mississippi Bar Association, Jones County Bar Association, Mississippi Defense Lawyers Association, Defense Research Institute, Mississippi School Board Association, National Council of School Board Attorneys
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Randy P. Laird

Randy Laird is a native of Ellisville, MS. Graduated from South Jones High School 1973, Jones County Junior College 1975, University of Mississippi: Bachelor of Public Administration 1977, Master of Public Administration 1981, Juris Doctorate 1982. Pi Alpha Alpha National Honorary in Public Administration. American Jurisprudence Award. Interned with the United States District Court for Northern District of Mississippi.

Randy was admitted to the Mississippi bar in 1982. After graduation he worked for Shell Oil Company in Houston, Texas until 2000 when he returned home to Ellisville. He was elected Alderman-at-Large in 2001, were he served one term, and now serves as City Attorney.

Randy joined the Firm in 2002. He is admitted to practice before all Mississippi courts, the Northern and Southern Federal District Courts and the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. He is a member of the Jones County Bar Association (President 2009), Mississippi Bar Association, American Bar Association, Friends of the Ellisville Public Library, City of Ellisville Advisory Council, Texas Cypress Fairbanks School District Land Acquisition Committee (1985-96), Deerfield Village Board of Trustees, Houston Texas (1987-96), Family Health Center Board of Trustees (2003-2008), Family Health Center Board Attorney, Ellisville City Attorney

Practice Areas: State and Federal Civil Litigation, Debt Collection, Landlord/Tenant Law, Oil and Gas Law, Wills and Estates, Probate, Real Estate, Business and Corporate Law, Foreclosure, Replevins, Adoptions, Guardians and Conservators

Associations: American Bar Association, Mississippi Bar Association, Jones County Bar Association, Mississippi Municipal League.

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Richard Lewis “Lew” Yoder, Jr.

Lew is a native of Laurel and a 1994 graduate of Laurel High School. Currently, Lew is a partner with the law firm of Gilchrist Sumrall Yoder Yoder & Leggett, PLLC, in Laurel, Mississippi. Lew’s primary areas of practice are state and federal civil litigation, corporate law, workers compensation defense, school law, employment law, products liability defense, and insurance defense. Lew is a member of the American Bar Association, Mississippi Bar Association, Jones County Bar Association, Defense Research Institute, and the Mississippi School Board Association. Previously, Lew served as the President of the Tri-County Young Lawyers Association. From 2009 through 2014 Lew has been named to the Super Lawyers “Rising Stars” list. “Rising Stars” comprise the top 2½ percent of attorneys 40 years old or younger and practicing in the three-state region of Mississippi, Arkansas, and Tennessee.

Lew is a 1998 graduate of the University of Mississippi, where he received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in political science. Lew was a member of Sigma Nu fraternity and served as its Treasurer for three years. While at Ole Miss, Lew was elected and served as the President of the 1998 Senior Class, was Vice President of Mortar Board Honorary, and also a member of Order of Omega Honorary. As President of the Senior Class, Lew led the drive to build the Grove Stage, now known as the Hederman-Hussey Pavilion. Also, Lew formed the Rebel Ride executive board. The Rebel Ride executive board was the student led initiative which brought alternative transportation to Ole Miss and its students. In addition, he served on the Sesquicentennial Committee, Graduation Committee, Awards of Distinction Committee for two years, and the Student Leaders Council.

Lew later graduated cum laude from the University of Mississippi School of Law in 2001. He received the Frances S. Bowling Scholarship in Law, and also served on the Moot Court Executive Board from 2000-2001. He was a member of Phi Delta Phi and also was elected President of the Mississippi Trial Lawyers Association, Student Division.

From 2001 to 2009 Lew practiced law in Oxford, Mississippi with the law firm of Holcomb Dunbar, P.A. In 2005, Lew was appointed by the Mayor of the City of Oxford, and confirmed by the Board of Aldermen to serve as a Commissioner on Oxford’s Planning Commission, and later served as the Chairman. Additionally, Lew has had the pleasure of serving on the Board of Directors of United Way from 2002 to 2006. In 2003, Lew served as United Way’s Campaign Chairman, and in 2004 was elected and served as President of the Board of Directors. Also, Lew was a member of the National Steering Committee of Ole Miss First, and served as the Chair of the Young Alumni Gifts division. In addition, Lew served on the City of Oxford Transportation Committee, and was a member of the Board of Directors of the University of Mississippi Young Alumni Council. Lew is a graduate of Leadership Mississippi, a leadership program developed and implemented by the Mississippi Economic Council. Currently, Lew is an active member of Laurel’s Rotary Club, and serves as its President. Also, Lew serves on the Board of Directors of Laurel Main Street and the and the Jones County Young Professionals. Additionally, Lew serves on the Board of Directors of the Laurel-Jones County Library, and Lew serves as a Commissioner of the Civil Service Commission of the City of Laurel. The Governor of Mississippi, Phil Bryant appointed Lew to serve on the Mississippi Business Finance Corporation and on the Governor’s Judicial Advisory Committee.

Lew has been extremely active in politics for many years. Lew has worked on Capitol Hill for former Senator Trent Lott. In addition, Lew has been actively involved in numerous political campaigns. In 2006, Lew was asked to become a consultant for Senator John McCain and later that year moved to Washington, D.C., to serve as Director of Legislative Affairs for John McCain’s presidential campaign. While in Oxford, Lew served as Chairman of the Lafayette County Republican Executive Committee. Currently Lew serves as the Chairman of the Jones County Republican Executive Committee. Lew is married to Jade Dunlap Yoder, and they are members of First Baptist Church in Laurel.

Practice Areas: State and Federal Civil Litigation, Corporate Law, Workers Compensation Defense, School Law, Employment Law, Products Liability Defense, Insurance Defense, Contracts

Associations: American Bar Association, Mississippi Bar Association, Jones County Bar Association, Mississippi Defense Lawyers Association, Defense Research Institute, Bar Association of the Fifth Federal Circuit, Mississippi School Board Association

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Parker F. Leggett

Parker Leggett was born in Jackson, Mississippi on December 10, 1980. Partker is a native of Laurel, Mississippi and graduate of Laurel High School. Parker received his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Mississippi in 2003 and his Juris Doctorate from the University of Mississippi School of Law in 2006. He is admitted to practice before all Mississippi state courts, the Northern and Southern Federal District Courts and the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. Parker and his wife Chrissy are active in both community and civic activities. In addition, they are both members of First Baptist Church. Parker is also a member of the Kiwanis Club of Laurel.

Mr. Leggett is a member of the American Bar Association, the Mississippi Bar Association, and the Jones County Bar Association.

Practice Areas: Probate, Wills and Estates, Collection Law, Real Estate Law, Banking Law, Corporate Law, School Law, Business Defense Litigation

Associations: American Bar Association, Mississippi Bar Association, Mississippi Defense Lawyers Association, Jones County Bar Association

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William Lawrence Thames

William Lawrence Thames is a Laurel, MS native and graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Business and Political Science with a minor in Spanish Language. During his time at the University of Southern Mississippi, Will was a member of the Golden Eagle Tennis team, Phi Kappa Tau fraternity and the Dean’s List. Following his completion at Sothern Miss, Will received his Juris Doctorate Degree from Mississippi College School of Law in 2016 with an emphasis in medical and health related law. During the course of his studies at the Mississippi College School of Law, Will also served as a law intern at Jones County District Attorney’s office.

Will is a member of the Jones County Bar Association, American Bar Association, and the Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Section of the Mississippi Bar. In his community, Will is a member of the 100 Club which supports the efforts of local law enforcement and the first responders in the Laurel-Jones County area. Will attends First Baptist Church in Laurel and is active in various civic groups.

Practice Areas: Probate, Wills and Estates, Contracts, Collection Law, Real Estate Law, School Law, Business Defense Litigation, Workers’ Compensation Defense, Employment Law, Products Liability Law and Insurance Defense.

When he is not working Will enjoys spending time with his wife, Claire and daughter Tess (3).

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