Katie Hood Headshot

Katie Hood

Partner
  • (228) 214-0410
Download Resume khood@balch.com
Education
  • University of Mississippi School of Law
    J.D., 2014, cum laude, Mississippi Law Journal, Executive Articles Editor
  • University of Mississippi
    B.B.A., 2011, Marketing, magna cum laude
Bar Admissions
  • Mississippi, 2014
About Katie
Q&A
  • What do you find most exciting about your work?

    I’m grateful when clients trust me to represent them. I enjoy working closely with them to shape strategy, set goals, and resolve their disputes.

  • What types of clients do you represent?

    I represent individuals, privately held businesses, and state and federal agencies in a wide range of litigation matters. I also serve as outside general counsel for both private companies and governmental entities. These matters include business disputes, real property litigation, contract disputes, and questions of statutory interpretation and application, as well as advising on regulatory issues and overall business strategies.

  • How are you involved in your community?

Select Matters

  • Outside general counsel for governmental entity: Serve as outside counsel for governmental entity, advising client on day-to-day operations and negotiations and applicable state law regarding procurement regulations and public records requests. Negotiate and draft contract terms for aeronautical-related leases, federal and state grant applications, public-private partnerships, and economic development projects.
  • Outside general counsel for state economic agency: Serve as outside general counsel, advising the client on a variety of matters such as contracts, regulatory compliance, state and federal grants, and litigation.
  • Outside general counsel for nationwide company: Handles the full range of the client’s legal needs, including contract negotiation, litigation, and entity formation.
  • Outside general counsel for global company: Advise client on various legal issues, including applicable state and federal regulations, labor and employment matters, and contract negotiations.
  • Business litigation: Secured over $2 Million judgement in construction dispute.
  • Contract dispute: Successfully represented company against various contract claims involving over $12 Million in alleged damages.
  • Investor dispute: Obtained favorable result on behalf of client in a dispute with investors over the terms of its operating agreement and purchase agreements.
  • Personal injury litigation: Successfully represented electric utility provider in lawsuit alleging negligence on behalf of the utility.
  • Business litigation: Successfully represented governmental entity in a lawsuit seeking damages from an insurance company for failure to cover wrongfully denied Hurricane Katrina damage claims.
  • Mississippi tidelands boundary litigation: Represented the State of Mississippi in multiple lawsuits over the boundary of the Public Trust Tidelands in Mississippi.
  • Wetlands delineation litigation: Served as counsel in disputes over determination of wetlands boundary. Negotiated and coordinated favorable result for landowners.

 

News

    Credentials

    Education
    • University of Mississippi School of Law, J.D., 2014, cum laude, Mississippi Law Journal, Executive Articles Editor
    • University of Mississippi, B.B.A., 2011, Marketing, magna cum laude
    Courts
    • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Mississippi
    • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Mississippi
    • U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
    • Mississippi Court of Appeals
    • Supreme Court of Mississippi
    Bar Admissions
    • Mississippi, 2014
    Professional Affiliations
    • Southern Rail Commission, Commissioner, 2022-2026
    • Mississippi Bar Association
    • Harrison County Bar Association, Officer
    • Harrison County Young Lawyer's Association
    • Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD), Fellows Program, 2025
    Awards & Accolades
    • The Best Lawyers in America®, Ones to Watch
    Community Involvement
    • Junior Auxiliary of Gulfport, Life Member
    • The Staton Society of the University of Mississippi School of Law, Board Member
    • Mississippi Commission for Volunteer Service, prior Commissioner, 2017-2020