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January 2004
Former Attorney General Mike Moore to Join Phelps Dunbar LLP in Jackson, MS
Phelps Dunbar LLP is pleased to announce that Mississippi Attorney General Mike Moore will join the Jackson office in a counsel position on Thursday, January 8, 2004.
Moore was first elected as Attorney General in 1987 and was re-elected three times. Before his 16 years as Mississippi’s Attorney General, he served as District Attorney on the Mississippi Gulf Coast for two terms.
Mr. Moore received national attention in 1994, when he filed the first suit against 13 tobacco companies, making Mississippi the first state to insist that cigarette manufacturers reimburse the State for costs it incurred treating smoking related illnesses. The suit resulted in a $4.1 billion settlement for the State of Mississippi. Moore also led the national effort, which resulted in a $246 billion recovery for all of the states, and recently helped craft the landmark settlement of the Ayers higher education desegregation lawsuit that began in 1975.
Mr. Moore will join Phelps Dunbar’s litigation practice group and will be the cornerstone for their new dispute resolution practice, as well as handling select litigation and governmental relations matters.
"Mike is a terrific innovative advocate with an outstanding reputation not only within Mississippi, but nationally," said Rick Bass, managing partner of the Phelps Dunbar Jackson office. "We are excited about the opportunities Mike will be able to offer our clients throughout the region, especially in resolving significant litigation."
"He’s probably one of the most sought-after lawyers in the United States," said Jackson attorney and former Mississippi Supreme Court Justice Reuben Anderson, a member of Phelps Dunbar since 1991.
"I look forward to this extraordinary opportunity to use my skills as a lawyer, a problem solver and an advocate. I am also very pleased that the firm will support my continued work with children’s programs in Mississippi and across America," said Moore.
In 1992, Moore became the first resident Mississippian to be selected as one of the Ten Most Outstanding Young Americans by the National Jaycees. Recognized by his peers as a leader, in 1994 his fellow Attorneys General bestowed upon him the prestigious Wyman Award, naming him the most outstanding attorney general in the nation. He also served as president of the National Association of Attorneys General. In 1998 the National Law Journal named him "Lawyer of the Year," and Governing Magazine named him "Public Official of the Year." In May of this past year, the National Center for Tobacco-Free Kids presented him with their "Champion Award" for a decade of service in protecting America’s young people from tobacco addiction and his role in protecting the nation’s health.
Mr. Moore has been involved in helping young people in the state of Mississippi with after school and mentoring programs. With the help of the Mississippi Legislature and Boys and Girls Clubs of America, Mr. Moore has doubled the number of Boys and Girls Clubs in the state. He has recruited more than 5,000 mentors for young people with help from business, religious, and education communities throughout the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Mississippi program and the Mississippi Mentoring Network, which he created. He presently serves as a National Board Member of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
Phelps Dunbar is a regional law firm of over 230 attorneys, with offices in New Orleans and Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Jackson, Tupelo, and Gulfport, Mississippi; Houston, Texas; Tampa, Florida; and London, England.