BEN STONE, a native of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, has 45 years legal experience. He is a Partner in the firm and represents clients in connection with Corporate and Securities matters, Energy and Utility Litigation, Energy Regulation and Transactions, Gaming, and State Governmental Relations. Mr. Stone practices in Gulfport and Jackson, Mississippi. He serves as General Counsel for Mississippi Power Company and represents several gaming corporations, for which he has served as counsel since the inception of gaming in Mississippi.

Mr. Stone also represents the Mississippi State Port Authority at Gulfport, serves on the Mississippi Ethics Commission and on various local and state economic development councils. He is experienced in environmental and maritime matters and has appeared numerous times before various agencies, permitting and regulatory boards.

He served in the Mississippi State Senate from 1968 to 1979 and maintains close ties with legislators throughout the State of Mississippi and key legislators in Washington, D. C.