Client-Recommended Attorneys, Adjusters and Experts
Client-Recommended Attorneys, Adjusters and Experts



Best's Recommended Insurance Attorneys - General Defense


363 North Broadway, Tupelo, Mississippi 38804

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 496, Tupelo, MS 38802-0496

Practice Areas

  • Insurance Defense
  • Insurance Coverage
  • Automobile
  • Property
  • Fire
  • Arson
  • Fraud
  • First Party Matters
  • Bad Faith
  • Special Investigations
  • Product Liability
  • Automobile Liability
  • Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist
  • Professional Malpractice
  • Medical Malpractice
  • Workers' Compensation
  • General Liability
  • Premises Liability
  • Defense Litigation
  • Corporate Law
  • Commercial Law
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Real Estate
  • Transportation
  • Environmental Law
  • Toxic Torts
  • Bankruptcy
  • Creditor Rights
  • Labor and Employment
  • ERISA
  • Construction Litigation
  • Fidelity and Surety
  • Insurance Fraud
  • General Civil Practice
  • Appellate Practice


About Us

The attorneys at Webb Sanders & Williams provide counsel to businesses and insurance carriers throughout Mississippi and the Southeast region of the United States. With attorneys also admitted to practice in Oklahoma and Tennessee, we are able to effectively represent our clients in a wide variety of venues.

We provide advice on insurance coverage, analysis and litigation including assistance in special investigations, including arson and fraud. We also are active in defense of tort litigation of all types from premises liability to complex products liability, as well as employment cases. With each of our attorneys admitted to practice in the United States District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Mississippi, all state courts in Mississippi, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, we have earned a well established reputation not only for effective representation, but also favorable results in difficult and complex cases. Webb Sanders & Williams also handles workers compensation matters at all levels from hearings to appeals. Our attorneys are supported with highly trained and educated personnel, as well as the most current technological resources and tools.

In the face of often complex and potentially costly litigation we strive to minimize cost and maximize results for our clients by utilizing in-house resources wherever possible. Our goal is to provide our clients with the expertise, information and personal attention necessary to adequately evaluate each situation and to recommend the course of action which will produce the best result.


Client Information

Insurance Clients

Non-Insurance Clients

  • Bank of Franklin
  • The Cadle Company
  • DKS Transport, LLC
  • Grandview Gallery
  • Kevin W. Harper Investments
  • MidFirst Bank
  • Montgomery Enterprises, Inc.
  • Pearson
  • Reed's Metals
  • Rite-Kem, Inc.
  • Ryder Truck Rental, Inc.
  • Safe-Guard Products International, LLC
  • Sandor Development Company
  • Singing River Health System
  • Tupelo Country Club
  • Wheel Estate Mobile Homes
  • Whitaker Sales, Inc.

Personnel Information


Benjamin H. Sanders — (1942-1999)


Dan W. Webb

Tupelo, MS

Admitted
  • Mississippi, 1977
  • U.S. District Court, Northern and Southern Districts of Mississippi
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Tennessee
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth and Eleventh Circuits
  • U.S. Supreme Court
Additional Biographical Details:

University of MS Risk Mgmt. and Ins. Advisory Board (2000-2014); Outstanding Supporter, 2008; Chair-Elect, 2003, Chair, 2004-2005); Symposium Chairman (2005); Distinguished Service Award 2005; Outstanding Lawyers of America; Mid-South "Super Lawyer" in Insurance Coverage (2007-2015); Top Rated Lawyer In Insurance Law (2014); CLM Insurance Fraud Committee (2010-2014), Founding Co-Chair (2010); CLM Insurance Bad Faith Committee (2010-2014), Co-Chair for Region 5 MS and LA (2010-2012); ABA Advisory Panel (2008-2009); MDLA Quarterly (Editor, 1998-1999; Director, 1994-1998)

Memberships:
  • Federal and Fifth Federal Circuit Bar Associations
  • The Mississippi Bar (Delegate, Judicial Conference of Fifth Circuit, 1984-1986)
  • Claims and Litigation Management Alliance (CLM)
  • Mississippi Defense Lawyers Association (President, 2000; President-Elect, 1999); (Secretary/Treasurer, 1998; Chair, Northeast MS Regional Committee, 1989, 1991-1992)
  • Association of Defense Trial Attorneys
  • International Association of Arson Investigators
  • Defense Research Institute
  • International Association of Defense Counsel
Publications:
  • Presentations: "Mediation Panel and Deposition Academy," MS College School of Law (2018)
  • "Ethics: Sources, Relationships and Reality, Financial Planning Association of Northeast Mississippi Annual Symposium (2014) and Ole Miss Risk Management and Insurance Symposium, University of Mississippi (2013)
  • "SIU: More than a Background Check or Surveillance," Claims & Litigation Management Alliance (2012)
  • "Mississippi Insurance Law: Key Points and Strategies," Sentry Insurance (2012)
  • "Insurance Fraud Initiatives," Council on Litigation Management (2011)
  • "Insurance Law Update," The Republic Group (2011)
  • "Avoiding and Defending Bad Faith," CLM, Infinity Ins. (2010)
  • "If Chinese Drywall Covers the Walls, Are Those Walls Covered?" MS Claims Assn/MDLA, (2009)
  • "Fundamentals of Litigation Management and Related Topics," GEICO (2009)
  • "Fundamentals of Litigation Management," CLM, Nationwide (2009)
  • "Opening Statements," Trial Practice Academy, MDLA (2007)
  • "Venue, Joinder, Intrastate Forum Non Conveniens and Other Issues," Seminar, Prentiss County, MS
  • "Coverage Issues/Claim Handling," PIA/MCA Convention Cont. Ed (2005)
  • "Tort Reform in MS," MSU Ins Day, Starkville, MS (2002)
  • "Gramm-Leach-Bliley Privacy Act: An Overview of Compliance Obligations"
  • "Loss Control Issues: How to Recognize Potential Problems From Both an Agency and Claims Standpoint," and "Bad Faith: It Is Best to Avoid It, Here's How," Cont. Ed Seminar for PIA of MS (2001)
  • "Update on Ethics Opinions in MS," MDLA Southern Regional (2000)
  • "Recent Developments in MS Insurance Law," Ole Miss Ins. Symposium (2000)
  • "Update on Insurance Law Developments," Ole Miss Ins. Symposium (2000)
  • "Constitutional Issues; MS Tort Claims Act," MS Governmental Tort Immunity Seminar (1998)
  • "Counsel Mock Trial for the MS Fire Investigators Arson School (1997)
  • "Legal Implications of Current Version of NFPA Sec. 921," State Farm SIU Workshop, Birmingham, AL (1996)
  • "Defense of Fire, Fraud and Bad Faith," MSU College of Business and Industry (1994)
  • Mock Trial for State Farm Fire and Casualty's Advanced Claim School (1993)
  • "Insurance Defense Issues and Recent Developments," MS Claims Assn. (1992)
  • "Insurance Defense Issues," Safeco Ins. Co., Nashville, TN (1987)
  • "First Party Bad Faith Defense," Southern Farm Bureau Ins. Co. (1985)
  • "Arson and Fraud Defense in MS," State Farm Fire and Casualty (1984)
  • Publications: "Reasonable Expectations: Interpreting Insurance Policies in Common Law Jurisdictions," American Bar Association, Tort Trial & Insurance Practice Section (forthcoming 2016)
  • "The Internet vs. Good Old-Fashioned Sleuthing," The CLM, Claims Management, March 2016
  • "Ethics: Sources, Relationships and Reality," Seminar Publication (2013)
  • Co-Author: "How Detection and Prevention Can Avoid the High Cost of Insurance Fraud," Litigation Management, Summer 2011
  • Monograph: "Venue, Joinder, Intrastate Forum Non Conveniens and Other Issues Related to Where the Chickens Can Insist the Other Chickens Come to Roost," Perspective From the Bench and the Bar (2007)
  • Co-Author: "U.S. Supreme Court Holds Punitive Damages Excessive," The MDLA Quarterly, Vol. 27, No. 2 (2003)
  • Co-Author: "Y2K - Klear? Konfusing?," The MDLA Quarterly, Vol. 23, No. 4 (1999)
  • Co-Author: "Ethical Prohibition on Third Party Audits," The MDLA Quarterly, Vol. 23, No. 2 (1999)
  • Co-Author: "Constitutional Issues Raised by the MS Tort Claims Act" (1998)
  • "The Legal Burden of Proof Implications of NFPA 921," National Fire and Arson Report, Vol. 14, No. 3, (September, 1996)
  • "Unanimous Verdict for Insurer in Civil Arson Case," National Fire and Arson Report, Vol. 13, No. 3, Page 18, (September, 1995)
Certifications:
  • Certified Civil Trial Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy
Education:
  • University of Southern Mississippi, B.S., 1971
  • University of Southern California, M.S.Ed., 1974
  • The University of Mississippi School of Law, J.D. (Valedictorian, with distinction), 1976
Military:
U.S. Air Force, 1971-1974 (active duty)

Born: 1949


B. Wayne Williams

Tupelo, MS

Admitted
  • Mississippi, 1994
  • U.S. District Court, Northern and Southern Districts of Mississippi, 1994
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit, 1994
Additional Biographical Details:

Mid-South "Super Lawyer" (2011, 2013-2018)

Memberships:
  • Federal and Fifth Federal Circuit Bar Associations
  • The Mississippi Bar
  • Claims and Litigation Management Alliance (CLM)
  • Mississippi Claims Association
  • Association of Defense Trial Attorneys
  • Mississippi Defense Lawyers Association
Publications:
  • Presentations: "Mediation Panel and Deposition Academy," MS College School of Law (2018)
  • "MS Insurance Law: Key Points and Strategies," Sentry Insurance, Goldsboro, NC (2016)
  • "MS Insurance Law: Uninsured Motorist Key Points and Strategies," Sentry Ins. Co., Goldsboro, NC (2014)
  • "Premises Liability," CLM, Charlotte, NC (2013)
  • "MS Insurance Law: Key Points and Strategies," Sentry Insurance, Goldsboro, NC (2012)
  • "Insurance Law Update," Harleysville Ins. Co. (2011)
  • "Case Assessment & Evaluation," CLM, Charlotte, NC (2010)
  • "Hands-On Mock Trial," CLM, Columbus (2010)
  • "Reservation of Rights and Insured's Right to Personal Counsel, CLM, Charlotte, NC (2010)
  • "Fundamentals of Litigation Mgmt and Related Topics," GEICO, Macon, GA (2009)
  • "Fundamentals of Litigation Mgmt," "Case Assessment & Evaluation," CLM, Charlotte, NC (2009), Richmond, VA (2009)
  • "Update on UM/UIM Law," MetLife Ins. Co. (2007)
  • "Coverage and Claims in the Wake of Katrina," Ole Miss Ins. Symposium (2006)
  • "UM/UIM Coverage Updates and Subrogation Issues"
  • "Legal Issues and Insurance Claims Presented by Mold," PIA/MCA Convention, Orange Beach, AL (2005)
  • "Solving Water Intrusion & Mold Problems," Lorman Education, Jackson, MS (2003), Tupelo, MS (2003)
  • "Recent Developments in MS Law," Sentry Claims Service/Dairyland Ins. Co. Seminar, Richmond, VA (2002)
  • "Errors and Omissions Claims: How to Avoid E & O Claims and How Courts Deal With E & O Claims Once Presented"
  • "Loss Control Issues: How to Recognize Potential Problems From Both an Agency and Claims Standpoint"
  • "Bad Faith: It Is Best to Avoid It, Here's How," CLE Seminar for the PIA/MCA Convention, Orange Beach, AL (2001)
  • "Amended Rule 57 and Implications on Discovery," Safeco Ins. Co., Jackson, MS (2001)
  • "Construction Litigation and Amended Rule 57 Implications," MSU Ins. Day, Starkville, MS (2001)
  • "Amended Rule 57 and Other Developments in MS Insurance Law," Sentry Claims Service/Dairyland Ins. Co. Seminar, Richmond, VA (2001)
  • "Recent Developments in MS Law," Barristers, Booneville, MS (2000)
Education:
  • University of Miami, B.M., 1990
  • The University of Mississippi, J.D., 1993
Honors:
Phi Delta Phi; Moot Court Board

Born: 1968


Roechelle R. Morgan

Tupelo, MS

Admitted
  • Mississippi, 2002
  • Tennessee, 2011
  • U.S. District Court, Northern and Southern Districts of Mississippi
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Michigan
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
Additional Biographical Details:

Mid-South "Rising Star" in Insurance Coverage (2010-2012)

Memberships:
  • The Mississippi Bar
  • Tennessee Bar Association
  • Fifth Federal Circuit Bar Association
  • Claims and Litigation Management Alliance (CLM) (Committees: Professional Liability, 2010, Employment Practices, 2010)
  • Defense Research Institute
  • Mississippi Defense Lawyers Association
Publications:
  • Presentations: "Insurance Law Update," The Republic Group, Dallas, TX (2011)
  • "Litigation 101," Council on Lit. Mgmt., Sun Prairie, WI (2009)
  • "Fundamentals of Lit. Mgmt. and Related Topics," GEICO, Macon, GA (2009)
  • "Fundamentals of Lit. Mgmt.," CLM, Columbus, OH (2009)
  • "Update on UM/UIM Law," MetLife Ins. Co. (2007)
  • "Coverage and Claims in the Wake of Katrina," Ole Miss Ins. Symposium (2006)
  • "Summary of MS Ins. Coverage Law," PIA/MCA Convention Cont. Ed. (2005)
Education:
  • The University of Mississippi, B.A., 1993
  • University of Southern Mississippi, B.S., 1994
  • The University of Tulsa, J.D., 1998
Honors:
Phi Delta Phi; Environmental Law Journal, Staff (1996-1997)

Born: 1972


Norma C. Ruff

Tupelo, MS

Admitted
  • Mississippi, 1982
  • U.S. District Court, Northern and Southern Districts of Mississippi
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Northern and Southern Districts of Mississippi
Memberships:
  • The Mississippi Bar
  • Fifth Federal Circuit Bar Association
  • Mississippi Defense Lawyers Association
Education:
  • Mississippi State University, B.A., 1980
  • The University of Mississippi School of Law, J.D., 1982
Honors:
Pi Sigma Alpha

Born: 1958


Shanda L. Lewis

Tupelo, MS

Admitted
  • Mississippi, 1998
Memberships:
  • The Mississippi Bar
Education:
  • The University of Mississippi School of Law, J.D., 1998

Of Counsel


Joshua R. Daniel

Tupelo, MS

Admitted
  • Mississippi, 2012
  • U.S. District Court, Northern and Southern Districts of Mississippi
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
Memberships:
  • American Bar Association
  • The Mississippi Bar
  • National Association of Subrogation Professionals
  • Mississippi Defense Lawyers Association
Education:
  • Mississippi State University, B.S. Mech. Engr., 2008
  • The University of Mississippi School of Law, J.D., 2012

Born: 1986


High Profile Cases

Federal Ins. Co. v. Singing River Health System 2015 WL 5794411 (S.D. Miss. Oct. 2, 2015) reversed in part by Federal Ins. Co. v. Singing River Health System, 850 F. 3d 187 (5th Cir. 2017)(obligation to pay independent counsel fees under eroding limits policy); McGuffie v. Anderson (S.D.Miss)(No. 3:13cv888)(ERISA denial of benefits; summary judgment); State Farm v. John Doe, 2014 WL 131584 (S.D.Miss January 13, 2014) (No. 3:13cv1977) (dismissal; statute of limitations); Vaughn v. Carlock, 553 Fed.Appx. 438 (5th Cir. 2014) (summary judgment; wrongful termination); Jennings v. Shuler, 2014 WL 444008 (attorney malpractice; no duty to file financing statement); Brief of Amici Curiae, PCI and Republic, James v. State Farm, 2013 WL 5308618 (5th Cir.) No. 11-60458)UM claim; bad faith standard); Babb v. Pacer-Pittman, (N.D. Miss) (No. 1:11cv248)(fatality and multi-injury propane gas explosion); State Farm v. Anderson, 2013 WL 1752374 (S.D. Miss April 23, 2013) (No. 1:11cv304) (no duty to defend or indemnify; CGL: D & O endorsement); Buchert v. Meyers, 2013 WL 485866 (S.D. Miss February 6, 2013) (No. 1:11cv381) (summary judgment; bad faith); Marlar v. NE Miss, 2012 WL 5904053 (N.D. Miss November 26, 2012)(No. 1:11cv191) (summary judgment no standing to contest payment); EMCC v. Bourn, (S.D.Miss) (No. 3:11CV209) (summary judgment; professional services endorsement and exclusion related to testing); Mitchell v. State Farm, 799 F.Supp.2nd 680 (ND Miss 2011) (summary judgment; no duty to defend or indemnify); Automobile Ins. Co. v. Lipscomb, 75 So.3d 557 (Miss., 2011) (Coverage; no obligation to defend or indemnify under homeowners policy where loss arises out of business pursuits); EMCC v. Normurray, 2011 WL 902032, 2010 WL 3001226, 2010 WL 1238429 (N.D. Miss.) (uninsured motorist death; summary judgment); Penny Pinchers v. Outlaw, 2011 WL 1549419 (April 26, 2011) (premises liability); EMCC v. Lane, et al, (S.D. Miss) (No. 1:09cv710) (no coverage re death from carbon monoxide); Davis v. Walters, 54 So.3d 272 (May 4, 2010) (premises liability); Wright v. Royal, 29 So.3d 109 (February 23, 2010) (premises liability); Tucker v. Rees, 17 So.3d 122 (Miss Ct App 2009) (products liability); Vibrock v. Peerless, 2009 WL 799109 (N.D.Miss.) (products liability; dismissal); O'Keefe v. State Farm, 2009 WL 95039 (S.D.Miss) (Katrina; Federal court; exclusive jurisdiction for claims re: administration of a National Flood Insurance Program); ANPAC v. Hicks, 2008 WL 919689 (N.D.Miss) (Arson - no recovery for insureds, qui tam related); McIntosh v. State Farm, 2008 WL 1850094 (S.D.Miss.) (Dismissal of fraud claims; bad faith litigation); State Farm v. Stallworth, 2008 WL 821835 (S.D.Miss) (Coverage precluded; church policy; alleged sexual misconduct); McIntosh v. State Farm, 2008 WL 941640 (S.D.Miss.) (Katrina; disqualification of counsel because of ethical violations ordered); Williams v. Thompson, 962 So.2d 715 (Mishap., 2007) (suit against insurer, underwriter and agent dismissed); In Re State Farm, 254 Fed.Appx. 408 (Miss. 2007) (writ of mandamus re disqualification of Dickie Scruggs); Williams v. Thompson, 962 So.2d 715 (Miss Ct App. 2007) (insurance coverage wrongful termination; MS Veterans v. State Farm, 492 F.Sup.2d 579 (Miss. 2007) (insurance coverage/bad faith); Williams v. Thompson, 962 So.2d 715 (Miss.App., 2007) (failure to procure; improper cancelation; divorce proceeding); Buchanan v. State Farm, 2007 WL 1031648 (S.D.Miss.) (Katrina; Flood insurance - removal sustained based on Federal question jurisdiction); Gagne v. State Farm, 2006 WL 3335506 (S.D.Miss.) (Katrina; Dismissal of claims based on alleged violation of constitutional rights under U.S.C. §1983 and dismissal of claims asserted against corporate officers and board members in bad faith litigation); Brief of Amici Curiae AIC, NAMIC and PCI, Lisanby v. United Services Auto. Ass'n, 2006 WL 2466269 (S.D.Miss.) (No. 05-660) (enforceable flood exclusions in private policies essential to implementation of national flood policy); Hill v. General Ins., 456 F.Supp.2d 757 (N.D.Miss, 2006) (summary judgment; homeowners insurer; no contribution; force placed insurance); Pryor v. Safeway, 341 B.R. 571 (Bkrtcy, N. D. Miss., 2006) (Bankruptcy; Insurance; Bad Faith Claim barred); Butler v. Upchurch, 946 So.2d 387 (Miss Ct App 2006) (products liability); Berry v. Hardwick, 152 Fed.Appx. 371, 2005 WL 2652062 (C.A.5 (Miss), 2005) (an unpublished opinion) (dismissal of agent and SIU investigator); Syngenta v. Monsanto, 208 So.2d 121 (Miss., 2005) (no authority to subpoena documents outside the state); Grammar v. Dollar, 911 So.2d. 619 (Miss. Ct. App. 2005) (premises liability); Dulin v. Sowell, 919 So.2d 1010 (Miss Ct App 2005) (premises liability); Janssen v. Jackson, 883 So.2d 91 (Miss 2004) (joinder); Briggs & Stratton v. Smith, 854 So.2d 1045 (Miss 2003) (venue/jurisdiction); Daulton v. Miller, 2001 WL 1540554 (May 9, 2002) (premises liability); Haggans v. State Farm, 803 So.2d 1249 (Miss.App., 2002) (Agent; no duty to procure); Jefferson v. State Farm, 2001 WL 741642 (N.D.Miss) (improper joinder; bad faith; individuals dismissed); Rhoden v. State Farm, 32 F.Supp.2d 907 (S.D. Miss 1998) (Coverage; bad faith; anti concurrent causation), aff'd 200 F. 3rd 815 (5th Cir. 1999)

Service Areas

Aberdeen, Mississippi, USA 35 miles

Biloxi, Mississippi, USA 307 miles

Greenville, Mississippi, USA 179 miles

Gulfport, Mississippi, USA 302 miles

Jackson, Mississippi, USA 191 miles

Meridian, Mississippi, USA 143 miles

Oxford, Mississippi, USA 50 miles

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