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June 2003

Phelps Dunbar Expands its Gulfport Office with the Addition of Five Attorneys

New Orleans, LA - Phelps Dunbar is pleased to announce the expansion of the Gulfport office to include James G. Wyly, III, as a partner, Scott Ellzey as counsel, Thear J. Lemoine and Kyle S. Moran as associates, and Brandi C. Schwartz as a staff attorney. They will join the firm’s regional admiralty and tort practice group.

Mr. Wyly will practice in the areas of tort litigation, admiralty, products and professional liability, construction, and insurance. Mr. Wyly is certified by Mediation Arbitration Professional Systems, Inc. (MAPS) to handle arbitrations and mediations. He is a 1980 graduate of Mississippi College School of Law and is admitted to practice in Mississippi and Louisiana.

"Jim Wyly is a very well known, respected attorney throughout Louisiana and Mississippi," said George Gilly, regional admiralty and tort practice coordinator. "He brings Phelps Dunbar over 20 years legal experience and a client base that should continue to flourish under our regional structure."

Mr. Ellzey will practice in general insurance defense litigation matters, including insurance coverage disputes, the defense of products liability claims, professional liability claims, and the defense of political subdivisions in civil rights claims and tort liability matters. He is a 1996 graduate of the University of Mississippi School of Law and is admitted to practice in Mississippi.

Mr. Moran will practice in the areas of environmental and toxic tort litigation and general insurance defense matters. He is a 1997 graduate of the University of Mississippi School of Law and is admitted to practice in Mississippi.

Mr. Lemoine will practice in the areas of insurance defense litigation, products liability, and defense of employment discrimination claims and insurance coverage disputes. He is a 1999 graduate of Louisiana State University Law Center. He is admitted to practice in Mississippi and Louisiana.

Ms. Schwartz will practice in the areas of environmental and toxic tort litigation and general insurance defense matters. She also has experience in defense of professional malpractice claims. She is a 1996 graduate of the University of Mississippi School of Law and is admitted to practice in Mississippi.

The expansion of the Gulfport office further compliments Phelps Dunbar’s ability to service clients throughout the gulf south.

Phelps Dunbar is a regional law firm of more than 220 attorneys, with offices in New Orleans and Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Jackson, Tupelo, and Gulfport, Mississippi; Houston, Texas; Tampa, Florida; and London, England.