Education
- University of Mississippi School of Law, J.D.
- Mississippi State University, B.A., summa cum laude
Bar Admissions
- Mississippi, 2003
- U.S. District Courts for the Northern and Southern Districts of Mississippi
- U.S. Court of Appeals for Fourth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
Clerkship
- Judicial Clerk to Judge Leslie D. King, Mississippi Court of Appeals
Alison doesn't remember a time when she didn't want to be a lawyer, and, since becoming one, doesn't remember a time when she hasn't loved every second of it. Alison believes it is her responsibility as an attorney to practice civility. She makes a point to bring out the humanity in every case because people are deeply important to her. In addition to her compassion and her extremely goal-oriented brain, Alison brings a vast and diverse array of experiences to the table. From prosecution work to civil defense to appellate courts to federal and supreme court cases, Alison has seen and done it all, making her an invaluable asset to every client that walks through the door. While other lawyers are getting lost in details, Alison keeps her eye on the big picture bringing passion and integrity to her clients' cases. For Alison, the facts are what they are, and as long as you work hard, prepare well, and remember civility, a client's success and peace are right around the corner.
Professional Recognition
Important Litigation Involvement
- A member of the trial team for six asbestos product liability trials which lasted between 2 and 5 weeks and went to jury verdict. Specific responsibility for legal research, motion practice, courtroom appearances, selection of trial plaintiffs, conducting trial depositions, preparing fact and expert witnesses, juror analysis, juror selection, and preparation of direct and cross-examination outlines.
Reported Decisions as Trial Counsel
- Patrick Higgins v. State of Mississippi, 2016 WL 3153994 (Miss. Ct. App. 2016) (Oral Argument January 7, 2016)
- Aundray Isaac v. State of Mississippi, 187 So. 3d 1009 (Miss. 2016)
- Fred Howard v. Mississippi Secretary of State, 184 So.3d 295 (Miss. Ct. App. 2015)
- In re Rogers, 177 So. 3d 193 (Miss. Ct. App. 2014)
- Harrington v. Secretary of State, 129 So.3d 153 (Miss. 2013)
News & Knowledge
- January 7, 2025
18 FormanWatkins Attorneys Named 2024 Mid-South Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
Read More - December 16, 2024
FormanWatkins Honored with 2024 Curtis E. Coker Access to Justice Award
Read More - August 15, 2024
41 FormanWatkins Attorneys Honored by Best Lawyers in America
Read More - May 29, 2024
FormanWatkins Hosts Fourth Annual Diversity Pathway Program
Read More - November 28, 2023
Twenty-one FormanWatkins Attorneys Honored as 2023 Mid-South Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
Read More - August 21, 2023
45 FormanWatkins Attorneys Recognized as Best Lawyers® Award Recipients
Read More - April 20, 2023
FormanWatkins Pro Bono Initiative Hits 5-Year Mark
Read More - November 29, 2022
23 FormanWatkins Attorneys Named 2022 Mid-South Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
Read More - August 18, 2022
FormanWatkins Attorneys Included in 2023 Best Lawyers® List
Read More - March 10, 2022
FormanWatkins Releases 2021 Pro Bono & Civic Engagement Report
Read More - November 30, 2021
Proudly Announcing Our 2021 Mid-South Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
Read More - October 4, 2021
Mississippi Business Journal Recognizes Alison O’Neal McMinn as Leading Business Woman
Read More - August 19, 2021
FormanWatkins Attorneys Recognized in 2022 Edition of Best Lawyers®
Read More - August 5, 2021
FormanWatkins Co-Hosts Hinds County Family Law Clinic
Read More - July 22, 2021
Forest Products Team Wins Major Ruling from U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
Read More - March 8, 2021
FormanWatkins Releases 2020 Pro Bono & Civic Engagement Report
Read More - February 4, 2021
FormanWatkins Awards 17 Attorneys with Pro Bono Recognition for Service in 2020
Read More - November 30, 2020
2020 Mid-South Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
Read More - August 20, 2020
FormanWatkins Attorneys Recognized in 2021 Edition of Best Lawyers®
Read More - February 28, 2020
Forest Products Team Wins Summary Judgment
Read More - November 5, 2019
2019 Mid-South Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
Read More - August 15, 2019
FormanWatkins Attorneys Recognized in 2020 Edition of Best Lawyers®
Read More - July 25, 2019
McMinn Appointed to Mississippi Bar Child Welfare and Child Advocacy Committee
Read More - January 28, 2019
Giallourakis and McMinn Selected by Mississippi Business Journal for 2018 Leadership in Law
Read More - November 30, 2018
FormanWatkins Announces 2018 Mid-South Super Lawyers
Read More - August 22, 2018
FormanWatkins Attorneys Recognized in 2019 Edition of Best Lawyers
Read More - April 2, 2018
FormanWatkins Wins at the Fifth Circuit
Read More - March 21, 2018
2017 Pro Bono and Civic Engagement Annual Report
Read More - March 7, 2018
FormanWatkins Defends Summary Judgment Before Fifth Circuit
Read More - January 9, 2018
Giallourakis & McMinn Recognized by Portico Magazine as 2018 Portico 10 Honorees
Read More - December 5, 2017
FormanWatkins Wins Summary Judgment in Pennsylvania State Court
Read More - November 29, 2017
FormanWatkins Announces 2017 Mid-South Super Lawyers
Read More - August 4, 2017
FormanWatkins Attorneys & Summer Clerks Lead Legal Clinic
Read More - April 20, 2017
Alison O’Neal McMinn Recognized by the Mississippi Business Journal as a Top 50 Under 40 Business Leader
Read More - April 14, 2017
FWK Team Hosts Legal Clinic at Local Library in Partnership with Mississippi Volunteer Lawyers Project
Read More - April 13, 2017
FormanWatkins Wins Summary Judgment in Louisiana Federal Court
Read More - January 23, 2017
Firm Announces New Pro Bono Committee and Partnerships
Read More - September 21, 2016
Alison O’Neal McMinn Joins the Firm as Partner
Read More
Professional Recognition
- Selected to Mid-South Super Lawyers (2019-2023), Top 50 Mississippi Super Lawyers
- FormanWatkins Pro Bono Star (2020, 2022)
- The Best Lawyers in America® (2019-2024): Product Liability Litigation – Defendants, Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions – Defendants
- Selected to Mid-South Rising Stars (2011-2012, 2017-2018)
- Selected as a PORTICO 10 Attorney by Portico Jackson Magazine (2018)
- Selected as one of Mississippi Business Journal‘s Leaders in Law (2018)
- Top 50 Under 40 Business Leader, Mississippi Business Journal (2017)
- Martindale-Hubbell® Preeminent AV® Peer Review Rating
Organization/Committee Memberships
- The Mississippi Bar
- Fifth Circuit Bar Association
- Mississippi Women Lawyers Association
- Hinds County Bar Association
- Jackson Young Lawyer’s Division
- Co-Chair of Diversity Committee
- Co-Chair of Membership Committee
- The Trial Network
- Mississippi Bar Child Welfare and Child Advocacy Committee (2019-2021)
- Capitol Area Bar Association, Women’s Initiative Committee, co-chair (2020-2021)
- Mississippi Commission on Children’s Justice, Opportunities for Treatment, committee member (2020-2021)
- Federal Bar Association, Mississippi Chapter, SOLACE liaison (2020-2021)
- Mississippi Bar Women in the Profession Committee (2020-2021)
Speaking Engagements
- “What’s Hot and What’s Not in Administrative Agency Practice,” Bulldog Lawyer CLE, Starkville, Mississippi (October 2014)
- “The Mississippi Wrongful Conviction Act – The Prosecutor and Monetary Compensation,” Mississippi Prosecutor’s Conference, Tunica, Mississippi (October 2015)
- “Thriving in the Middle,” 27th Annual Evelyn Gandy Lecture Series (February 2020)
Publications
- “Bring Your Own Device: Navigating the Rough Seas of E-Discovery With a Strong BYOD Policy at Your Back,” The Mississippi Lawyer, Spring 2022
Pro Bono & Community Service
- FormanWatkins Pro Bono Committee Chairwoman
- Post-Katrina Disaster Legal Assistance Committee (2005)
- Mississippi Children’s Home Services Auxiliary (2004-2007)
- Central Mississippi MSU Alumni Board, Member (2004-2007)
- International mission work with The Hard Places Community, Phnom Penh, Cambodia (2011)
- Leadership Greater Jackson, Class of 2013-2014
- Jackson Area Delta Gamma Alumnae, President (2013-2015)
- The Junior League of Jackson
- Co-chair Provisional Project (2009-2010)
- Co-chair Touch A Truck® Jackson (2014-2015)
- Leadership Institute (2014)
- Communications Vice President (2015-2016)
- Fund Development Vice President (2016-2017)
Law School Honors & Awards
- Moot Court Board, Director of Trial Competitions
- Recipient of Congressman Will M. Whittington Scholarship
Previous Experience
- Special Assistant Attorney General, Office of the Attorney General, Jackson, Mississippi
- Civil Litigation Division – Lead defense attorney in numerous suits against the State of Mississippi, its agencies, political subdivisions and officials, with full responsibility for legal research, motions practice, trial strategy, courtroom appearances, and all appellate briefing. Managed a caseload of 20-25 state and federal court civil actions.
- Consumer Protection Division – Prosecuted cases involving fraud, and investigated violations of the Mississippi Consumer Protection Act. Additional prosecution involved various criminal cases including: homicide, fraudulent use of identity, and embezzlement.
- Judicial Clerk to Judge Leslie D. King, Mississippi Court of Appeals