News & Knowledge

FormanWatkins is pleased to announce that partner Malissa Wilson has been appointed to serve on the Mississippi Bar Ethics Committee. Wilson was appointed by Mississippi Bar President-Elect Kelly Sessoms and will serve a three-year term. The Ethics Committee is responsible for issuing advisory ethics opinions as authorized by Section 73-3-143(2) of the Mississippi Code and in accordance with the Mississippi Bar Bylaws. As a member of the Committee, Wilson will attend Committee meetings, participate in the Committee’s work, and perform duties necessary for the Committee to function effectively. “The work of the Bar is in large part accomplished through the work of its committees, and I’m honored to have been asked to contribute to the Ethics Committee’s important work,” Wilson said. “Ensuring that attorneys across Mississippi have access to sound, well-reasoned guidance on professional responsibility is essential to maintaining public trust in our profession, and I look forward to serving alongside my fellow committee members.” Wilson’s appointment to the Ethics Committee adds to FormanWatkins’ longstanding tradition of active engagement with the Mississippi Bar and the broader legal community. “Malissa’s appointment to the Ethics Committee is a well-deserved recognition of her deep commitment to the highest standards of the legal profession,” said Tanya Ellis, Partner at FormanWatkins. “This appointment reflects Malissa’s reputation within the Mississippi Bar and the values we strive to uphold as a firm.”

FormanWatkins is proud to announce that partner Mary Clift Abdalla is serving the second and final year of her two-year term as Board Chairman of Friends of Children’s Hospital, the nonprofit organization supporting Children’s of Mississippi, the state’s only children’s hospital. Abdalla will lead the organization’s 2026-2027 Board of Directors, which brings together leaders from across industries and communities with a shared commitment to supporting children’s healthcare throughout Mississippi. Jennifer Johnson will serve as chairman-elect, positioned to succeed Abdalla at the conclusion of her term. “Serving as chairman of this board has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my career,” Abdalla said. “Our board members bring valuable experience, relationships, and perspective to Friends, but what makes this board truly special is their willingness to be involved in the work. They give their time, expertise, and energy throughout the year to help strengthen our organization and better support the children and families served by Children’s of Mississippi.” Under Abdalla’s leadership, the board has continued to operate as a working board, with members actively engaged in advancing the organization’s mission through strategic leadership, fundraising, hospital programs, and community engagement. For more than three decades, Friends of Children’s Hospital has supported Children’s of Mississippi by raising funds and awareness for programs, services, and facilities that help provide exceptional care for children across the state. Abdalla’s civic leadership with Friends of Children’s Hospital exemplifies the firm’s broader commitment to community involvement and service across Mississippi. “FormanWatkins is honored to support Mary Clift’s […]

A new clinic at The University of Mississippi School of Law is putting law students to work on real appeals this semester, with the opportunity to represent clients who could not otherwise afford representation. The Appellate Litigation Clinic, sponsored by Forman Watkins & Krutz LLP, pairs its inaugural class of student-attorneys with firm counsel to research, write, and argue cases in their final year of law school. “Investing in and developing the next generation of attorneys has always been part of who we are at FormanWatkins, and this Clinic is one of the most meaningful examples of that commitment,” said Damonta Morgan, Clinic Director and attorney at FormanWatkins. “Through this Clinic, students will take on real responsibility for real clients because we believe that is the way we build outstanding lawyers. We are proud to partner with the University of Mississippi School of Law for the new Appellate Litigation Clinic.” The Clinic’s six student-attorneys were sworn in for limited practice on August 26 by the Honorable Magistrate Judge David Sanders of the Northern District of Mississippi and the Honorable Lawrence L. Little of the Eighteenth Chancery District of Mississippi, granting them the authority to represent real clients in civil and criminal appeals. Since then, students have been working under close faculty and attorney supervision to review case records to identify appealable issues, research and draft legal memoranda, and draft briefs in three active cases ahead of oral arguments before the Mississippi Court of Appeals. Beyond their casework, student-attorneys will travel […]

Forman Watkins & Krutz LLP is proud to announce that 49 of its attorneys have been named to the 2027 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America©, the oldest and most respected peer-reviewed publication in the legal profession, reaffirming the firm’s standing as a premier litigation power nationwide. Many honorees have appeared on the list year after year, with some recognized for nearly two decades, a testament to the sustained, peer-recognized excellence that clients rely on and that makes FormanWatkins a destination for top litigation talent. Among this year’s honorees, 20 attorneys were named to the Ones to Watch list, which recognizes associates and other early-career lawyers for outstanding professional excellence in private practice in the United States. Together, these rising attorneys and long-tenured litigators reflect a firm that invests in lawyers at every career stage. Attorneys selected to 2027 Best Lawyers in America©: Charles H. Abbott – Commercial Litigation, Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions – Defendants, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, and Product Liability Litigation – Defendants Mary Clift Abdalla – Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions – Defendants, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants, and Workers’ Compensation Law – Employers Michael H. Abraham – Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions – Defendants, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, and Product Liability Litigation – Defendants Pete F. Andarsio – Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions – Defendants Michael L. Baker – Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions – Defendants, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, and Product Liability Litigation – Defendants James L. Banks – Commercial Litigation, Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants, and Product Liability Litigation – […]

FormanWatkins’ New Orleans office has been named a 2026 Top Workplace by The Times-Picayune, an honor determined entirely by employee feedback rather than firm submission. The Firm separately received a special award for its Benefits Package, recognizing the strength of its employee benefits, insurance offerings, and the culture created. “For a firm built on defending Fortune 500 companies and national corporate clients in complex litigation, this distinction speaks to something clients rely on but rarely see directly: the depth and stability of the team behind the work,” said Tim Gray, Partner at FormanWatkins. The awards were recently presented at the Top Workplaces ceremony at the Higgins Hotel in New Orleans, where attorneys Charles Abbott and Amy Maccherone accepted the awards on the firm’s behalf. Top Workplaces recognition is based entirely on a confidential, third-party employee survey that evaluates factors including alignment, execution, connection, and engagement. These measures are widely used across industries as predictors of organizational performance and employee retention. “The special award for benefits reflects a long-standing investment in the people who make our work possible,” said Charles Abbott, Partner at FormanWatkins. “As the legal industry grows more competitive, we believe firms that prioritize employee well-being alongside client service build the kind of institutional depth that shows up in the quality and consistency of the work.”

FormanWatkins is pleased to announce that Charles Abbott has been appointed to the Louisiana Association of Defense Counsel (LADC) Board of Directors as a District 4 Representative, effective with the start of the LADC’s new term on July 1. In this role, Charles will help shape the direction of one of Louisiana’s most influential and legal organizations, representing the interests of civil defense attorneys throughout the district. “I’m honored to serve as a District 4 Representative for the LADC,” said Abbott, Partner at Forman Watkins. “This organization has played a vital role in supporting Louisiana’s defense bar for more than six decades, and I look forward to contributing to that mission.” Since joining the Firm as a partner in 2017, Charles has built a diverse litigation practice, regularly serving as lead counsel or co-counsel on high-stakes commercial, contractual, business interruption, tort, admiralty/maritime, products liability, construction, and toxic tort cases pending in both federal and state courts throughout Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. His body of work includes serving as national coordinating counsel for Fortune 100 clients in benzene and silica exposure litigation, and as lead counsel for Fortune 500 companies defending against asbestos claims throughout Louisiana and Texas courts. He has also led high-profile matters ranging from a putative class action over endoscope sterilization to multimillion-dollar maritime cargo disputes.  He further provides general legal advice and guidance to small and large companies alike, including serving as general counsel to a national refrigerated trucking company on logistics, regulatory, and litigation matters nationwide. […]

Forman Watkins & Krutz LLP is pleased to announce that several of its attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the 2026 Louisiana Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists, published by Thomson Reuters. These honors reflect a high level of professional achievement and recognition from peers within the legal community. Super Lawyers identifies top attorneys across more than 70 practice areas through a comprehensive selection process that includes peer nominations, independent research, and detailed evaluations. The Rising Stars designation highlights exceptional early-career attorneys who are making a strong impact in their respective fields. This year’s selections highlight the depth and breadth of talent at FormanWatkins, as well as the Firm’s ongoing dedication to providing strategic, results-driven counsel. The recognition also speaks to the collaborative culture that supports attorneys in delivering outstanding service to clients. The Firm proudly recognizes the following attorneys: 2026 Louisiana Super Lawyers: Amy Maccherone, Charles Abbott, Michael Abraham, Michelle Roy, and Tim Gray. 2026 Louisiana Rising Stars: Margaret McLaughlin, Taylor Waxley, Whitney Antoine, and Peyton Smith.

FormanWatkins is proud to announce that Amy Maccherone has been named to the New Orleans Magazine’s 2026 Top Women in Law list for her work in Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions. This recognition highlights Maccherone as one of the leading women in the New Orleans legal community. Maccherone has built her practice on the belief that every challenge has a solution. She represents clients in complex civil litigation, with a focus on mass tort and class action matters and works persistently to develop effective strategies that serve her clients’ goals. She is actively involved in all stages of litigation, from trial preparation through the appellate process. “I’m honored to be recognized by my peers,” said Maccherone. “It is especially meaningful to be included among such an accomplished group of attorneys.” The Top Women in Law list is compiled through a peer-review process conducted by Professional Research Services. Licensed attorneys in the New Orleans area nominate fellow attorneys in specific practice areas, and honorees are selected based on survey results and verification of good standing with the Louisiana State Bar Association.

FormanWatkins is pleased to announce a significant victory in a federal court asbestos case tried to verdict before the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana. After an eight-day jury trial, a unanimous verdict was returned finding no liability against the Firm’s client. Attorneys Peyton Smith and Autumn Smith led the defense team through the trial, presenting a vigorous defense on behalf of the Firm’s client. The jury’s unanimous verdict fully vindicated the Firm’s client. “This verdict reflects our team’s deep commitment to our client and our ability to effectively present their defense in even the most challenging and high-stakes litigation,” said Peyton Smith, Partner at FormanWatkins. “We are proud of the outcome and grateful for the trust our client placed in us throughout this process.” The case involved claims arising from alleged asbestos exposure. While the jury found in favor of the Firm’s client, finding no liability, it did find liability against a separate defendant, awarding $6.625 million in damages to the plaintiffs. Autumn Smith, Associate at FormanWatkins said, “Achieving a unanimous defense verdict in a federal court asbestos case is a remarkable result, and we are proud to have delivered it for our client.” The Firm has a long-standing tradition of excellence in complex litigation, including toxic tort and products liability defense. This verdict further demonstrates the Firm’s ability to deliver outstanding results for its client in difficult cases.

FormanWatkins is pleased to announce the addition of Siara N. Haas as an associate attorney in the Houston office. Siara earned her J.D. from the University of Houston Law Center, where she served as Head Senior Articles Editor for the Houston Journal of Health Law and Policy. She received her Bachelor of Science in Political Science, magna cum laude, from Lamar University. Siara focuses her practice on complex civil litigation and insurance defense, with experience in personal injury, product liability, premises liability, and commercial disputes. She combines strong analytical and writing skills with practical litigation judgment. She identifies the issues that matter most and develops defense strategies designed to resolve claims through motion practice and negotiated settlements. “Siara’s approach reflects careful evaluation, clear judgment, and a focus on helping clients understand the risks and strategy behind their cases,” said Win Gault, Partner at FormanWatkins. “That mindset is invaluable when navigating complex disputes.” Prior to joining FormanWatkins, Siara worked with several Texas-based defense firms where she handled a wide range of diverse matters.  She also served as an Adjunct Professor of Moot Court at Lamar University and completed a federal judicial internship with the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas.