Trial Lawyer of the Year

I'd be lying if I told you I expected it, or even if I really felt like I deserved it, but I was given the Trial Lawyer of the Year award this past weekend by the Mississippi Association for Justice.

There's no way I could thank everyone who has my appreciation, however it would be improper for me to not try. First I have to thank my wonderful parents, John and Lisa Eichelberger for raising me, encouraging me to make education a priority, and teaching me the value of hard work. I also am indebted to my teachers throughout the years. One of them, the late Professor Tom Mason from Ole Miss Law, would no doubt feel a bit of satisfaction, as at times he was more certain of my abilities to be a trial lawyer than I was.

I have also been very fortunate to have been surrounded by good people. Folks like Bill LaBarre, Brandon Jones, P.J. Lee, Ramel Cotton, Gregg Harper, Vicki Gilliam, Bobby Moak, and dozens of others have taught me more about the practice of law than I could have ever learned otherwise. Of course, I also have to thank my fiance, Jennie Pitts, who is an amazing lawyer in her own right, and of whom I could not be more proud.

I'm also thankful for my clients. They are the reason I do what I do, and I have been blessed to have so many that are easy to want to fight for.

Finally, I am very thankful for the Mississippi Association for Justice and for its 50 year history of seeking access to the courts for those who can't afford "tall building" lawyers. I'm very proud to be a part of an organization that, although it doesn't formally do so, could easily sum up its reason for being with a recitation of Isaiah 1:17 - "Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow."

OK, now back to work.