News & Knowledge

With her competitive attitude and a long-time love for debate, Simine Reed uses her efficient work ethic to develop a unique, thorough defense for each of her clients, taking each client’s position personally and exhausting every possible avenue of research in order to structure a winning argument. For Simine, the client’s fight is her fight, and they deserve her best effort, which means working hard to get quick, efficient solutions. When working with Simine, clients can expect a more personal relationship from an attorney who loves to win and has the tenacity to do so.

For Patrice, the harder the challenge, the better. Each day she relishes in the opportunity to answer a difficult legal question, and no issue is too intricate. Having done some work on the plaintiff side, as well, Patrice has the ability to look at a case from several different angles, offering her clients perspective that can help them develop a creative, solid defense. Patrice handles her cases with thoroughness and precision from start to finish, which helps her clients solve their present problem and prepare for a prosperous future. To her, a simple word can make all the difference when defending a client, and Patrice makes it her goal to represent her clients well with every word she writes or speaks. With Patrice, clients can expect to work with a smart and dedicated attorney who loves the Packers and her job.

We mourn the passing of our colleague and friend, Danny Mulholland, who passed away on November 16, 2025. Learn more about his lasting impact in his obituary. It is with profound sadness that FormanWatkins announces the passing of Daniel “Danny” J. Mulholland, a distinguished partner whose grit and intelligence helped shape our Firm and left an indelible mark on the legal profession. “We are heartbroken. Danny brought intensity and mastery to our work.  He was a fierce and loyal partner and friend who will be deeply missed,” said Tanya Ellis, Partner at FormanWatkins. “For those of us privileged to work with him and learn from him, his intentionality, his unwavering work ethic, his integrity, and his genuine friendship shaped our careers and our lives.” Throughout his distinguished career, Danny represented companies in high-stakes matters across the country, including complex mass torts, MDLs, class actions, commercial disputes, professional liability cases, and insurance coverage matters. His exceptional work garnered national recognition – most notably, his work exposing fraud in In Re Silica Prods. Liab. Litig. (MDL No. 1553) earned him a prominent spot above the fold in the Sunday edition of The New York Times, a remarkable career achievement.  Danny’s cases and contributions were also covered in The Wall Street Journal, Fortune, NPR, The National Law Journal, Corporate Counsel, and Reader’s Digest. “Very few lawyers have been featured on the front page of The New York Times for groundbreaking legal work,” said Win Gault, Partner at FormanWatkins. “Danny was one of them.” Danny graduated first in his class from Ole Miss Law School and joined the […]

Devoted and driven, Joshua Metcalf never slows down. Always giving 100% of his effort to his work, Joshua has been organizing the defense of complex cases nationwide for more than 20 years, building a respected reputation in that time. Having learned the need for attention to detail during his tenure at the Virginia Military Institute, Joshua uses his strong desire to serve and his relentless work ethic to offer his clients a detail-focused but efficient representation, which emphasizes creative strategies and a thorough deconstruction of his opponent’s case. Vowing never to be outworked or out-prepared, Joshua offers clients a strong legal voice and an organized defense to help them identify the issues that really matter to them and to their cases, and to implement appropriate plans to ensure success from both a legal and business perspective. With an insatiable intellectual curiosity, Joshua loves digging into complex medical and scientific issues, and enjoys collaborating with the talented members of his team to produce a consistently excellent product for his clients. For Joshua, business is personal and, as his clients can attest, a close working relationship and regular communication is at the heart of any engagement with Joshua and his team. Joshua carries this same focused intensity with him away from work, which is reflected in his commitment to his community and his dedication to his wife and four children. If he is not in his office or on the road for a client, chances are you will find him with his […]

Fueled by challenge and change, Mitch never hesitates to go outside of his comfort zone. Whether that means taking on a difficult case, studying graphic design as an undergraduate to stretch and broaden himself and his abilities, or shifting his legal career from New York to Jackson, Mitch never takes the easy way out. His clients can be sure that he will apply the same creative communication, rigorous curiosity, and work ethic toward their cases. Mitch is a lawyer who cares deeply about people. That affection is shown first and foremost in his family, a wife and two daughters and a baby boy, yet another wonderful challenge! Beyond his family, Mitch has a love for community and fellowship, and he provides his full attention to his clients, forming personal relationships and using every possible asset to offer them quick, creative solutions. Long hours writing briefs or collaborating with his coworkers are all worth it for Mitch as he strives to offer his clients innovative and stable solutions with a broader impact than the immediate case.

Perspective is Ruth’s specialty. Not only is she an avid distance runner and painter, but her past work developing international education opportunities required collaboration with people and institutions in local and international communities.  Ruth is a problem solver who makes it her mission to support her clients in the present, and to help them secure a future of growth. Ultimately, Ruth understands that behind the companies she represents are individuals and the communities they serve. The bright, successful futures of these industries and their communities require her to work hard to find creative and long-term solutions for her clients.

Standing at the forefront of dedication and hard work in litigation is Fred Krutz. Possessing a quick mind and sharp salesmanship, Fred offers excellent work to all his clients. Having been a leader in his practice for over 30 years, he has maintained a respected name for himself and his firm, but has never grown complacent. Creativity is the pinnacle of his work ethic as he offers case-specific solutions that are catered for each of his clients. Fred believes in the philosophy of “get busy living, or get busy dying.” He makes every day count at the office and at home, always ready to put in the work needed to achieve the goals of his clients and his family, and uses his gifts of passion and persuasion to better the lives of those around him. Clients can expect innovation, honesty, and commitment when they hire Fred but, most importantly, a reputation for excellence which, after over 30 years, continues to follow him today.

If a book was written about Brian Hannula, it would probably be entitled Not About Me. As a committed, ambitious lawyer and a passionate youth sports coach, Brian is always giving his best effort and time to others. In the field of litigation, Brian uses his love of learning to become an expert on every product and client he represents. He likes to be deliberate in his analysis and offers clients honest evaluations. A client can expect an efficient work ethic from Brian, as well as a knowledgeable background. Brian is well equipped to find the right answer, and enjoys defending that right answer in order to give his clients a favorable outcome.

Tim was first inspired to become an attorney while watching Atticus Finch in To Kill A Mockingbird. When Atticus commanded a courtroom against all odds in a seemingly impossible case, it ignited Tim’s desire to be challenged by interesting things and to do work that is socially valuable. Every day Tim gets to do just that, as he shows up to work to face fresh challenges that allow him to provide his clients with his best efforts. A considerate friend and genuine professional, Tim has a strong ability to take complex information and break it down into comprehensible parts, allowing no ambiguity between he, his clients, and the professionals on the other side of the case. A skill indispensable in litigation. While he enjoys his work, Tim is also actively involved in his community. He currently serves on the board of a local charter school where he enjoys participating in the challenging process of remaking the New Orleans school system, one school at a time. Incorporating this philosophy into his work every day, Tim pushes himself and others around him to always strive to be better, creating an atmosphere of excellence which brings his clients not only great results, but peace of mind. Tim enjoys a practice that presents new and varied challenges and opportunities. He has served as national trial counsel to several defendants in toxic tort litigation and has tried cases in several states in that capacity. He also represents parties in commercial disputes in Louisiana and Mississippi […]

With Nick, reputation counts and his word matters. As an attorney, Nick is driven by the personal investment and partnership he forms with his clients to push through adversity and achieve the best possible outcome. Treating the client’s problems as his problems, Nick offers genuine care and smart, strategic methods that get his clients great results. Nick is driven also by the unpredictability of law, and works hard to be completely prepared to represent his client in all situations. Nick is an adaptive individual who offers perspective accompanied by competitive dedication. Above all, when working with Nick, clients can expect to develop a personal relationship with a trustworthy attorney who is personally invested in them and who will push through the long hours and twists and turns of litigation to achieve the client’s goals.