Bill L. Smith | Litigation | Balch & Bingham LLP

Education

University of Mississippi School of Law

J.D., 1976,
cum laude, Mississippi Law Journal
Mississippi State University

B.S., 1972,
with highest honors, Phi Delta Phi, Omicron Delta Kappa

Bar Admissions

Mississippi, 1976

Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant appointed Bill as chairman of the Judicial Appointments Advisory Committee for the Governor’s office to serve during the Governor’s term.

Which Courts or agencies do you most often appear before on behalf of your clients?

I most frequently appear before the Mississippi federal and state courts, Mississippi Public Service Commission, and the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality.
What types of clients do you represent?

My clients include those in the energy, chemical, utilities, manufacturers, and interstate pipeline sectors.
What type of matters do you work on most often?

I most often work on cases involving business disputes, fires and explosions, eminent domain, utilities regulation, environmental enforcement, and chemical exposure.
How are you involved in your community?

I am actively involved with many local organizations and served on the board of St. Andrews Episcopal School, Jackson Chamber of Commerce, Jackson Convention and Visitors Bureaus, Jackson Touchdown Club, Mississippi Memorial Stadium, and as president of the Country Club of Jackson.

Select Matters

Chemical explosion: Served as lead counsel for Mississippi Chemical in a $450,000,000 chemical explosion case. (Terra Industries v. Mississippi Chemical Corporation)
Eminent domain: Served as lead counsel for Kinder Morgan in Mississippi on the Midcontinent Express Pipeline. Approximately 130 cases were filed and resolved favorably. (2009)
Chemical exposure matter: Currently serving as lead Mississippi counsel for Textron in a chemical exposure matter involving more than 200 plaintiffs. (2016)
Regulatory counsel: Ongoing regulatory counsel in Mississippi for Atmos Energy Corporation, the largest gas distribution utility in Mississippi. Lead counsel for AT&T in Mississippi. (2016)
Parkway Pipeline: Lead counsel in Mississippi for Plantation Pipeline for their product pipeline, Parkway Pipeline. (2015)
Express Pipeline: Lead counsel in Mississippi for Energy Transfer Corporation for construction of their Fayetteville Express Pipeline. (2012)
Mass environmental enforcement actions: Lead counsel for defendant in more than 100 separate environmental enforcement actions brought by MDEQ or EPA.
Hazardous waste disposal permit: Lead counsel in MDEQ permitting battle to permit Mississippi’s only hazardous waste disposal facility.

News

Credentials

Education

University of Mississippi School of Law, J.D., 1976,
cum laude, Mississippi Law Journal
Mississippi State University, B.S., 1972,
with highest honors, Phi Delta Phi, Omicron Delta Kappa

Courts

U.S. Supreme Court
Mississippi Supreme Court
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Mississippi
U.S. District Court, Southern District of Mississippi
U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit

Bar Admissions

Mississippi, 1976

Professional Affiliations

American Bar Association, Litigation and Environmental Law Sections
American Corporate Counsel Association
Metro Jackson Chamber of Commerce
DRI
Mississippi Defense Lawyers Association

Awards & Accolades

Chambers USA, Energy & Natural Resources
The Best Lawyers in America^®, Commercial Litigation, Environmental Law, Litigation – Real Estate, 2010 – present
The Best Lawyers in America^®, Lawyer of the Year, Litigation – Real Estate (Jackson, Mississippi), 2013
Mid-South Super Lawyers

Community Involvement

Country Club of Jackson, President
St. Andrews Episcopal School, Executive Committee
Jackson Touchdown Club, President
Mississippi Memorial Stadium, Board of Directors
Jackson Convention and Visitors Bureau, Board of Directors

William L. Smith Sr.

Select Matters

News

Credentials