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Brian B. Hannula

Brian B. Hannula

Partner

Jackson

601-974-8783

601-960-8613


Education

  • Mississippi College School of Law, J.D., magna cum laude
  • Mississippi College, B.S.B.A. Accounting, magna cum laude

Bar Admissions

  • Mississippi, 2003
  • Michigan, 2009
  • Alabama, 2013
  • Arkansas, 2016

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.

Professional Recognition

Important Litigation Involvement

  • Defended and tried a claim pending in Hinds County, Mississippi against a fire suppression device manufacturer
  • Successfully arbitrated a national forest products company’s multi-million dollar construction dispute with a contractor arising out of two large scale plant expansion projects in Alabama and Arkansas. The disputes involved warranty, contract, and payment claims.  The first arbitration resulted in an award of damages and attorney fees for the company, and a rejection of  the contractor’s claims for payment. This victory resulted in an also immediate resolution of the second arbitration.
  • Co-trial counsel in Pace v. Palmer Petroleum, Mississippi Oil & Gas Board 2013 (administrative trial – oil field pollution)
  • National Coordinating Counsel for a product manufacturer and a product supplier involved in asbestos litigation, which includes the development and execution of an overall litigation strategy
  • Thompson v. Echostar Commc’ns. Corp., 89 So. 3d 696 (Miss. Ct. App. 2012). Successfully argued in front of the Mississippi Court of Appeals an appeal by plaintiff of a trial court’s order excluding plaintiff’s fire cause/origin expert and granting summary judgment in favor of a satellite television equipment manufacturer
  • Kelly v. Showhaulers Trucks, Inc., 460 Fed. Appx. 292 (5th Cir. 2012). Obtained summary judgment on punitive damages and other damages on behalf of custom trailer manufacturer related to a trailer explosion, affirmed by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals
  • Developed strategy on behalf of small restaurant to resolve multiple salmonella claims
  • Obtained favorable settlements and/or dismissals in several claims against synthetic stucco manufacturer after manufacturer had been assessed punitive damages in prior litigation
  • Obtained favorable result for extrusion screw manufacturer in suit filed by rubber producing company claiming over $1 million in lost profits and other damages
  • Successfully defended personal injury claims (including the death of a minor child) filed against a sub-contractor involved in an airport renovation project
  • Obtained favorable settlement in mercury exposure case involving two minor children with potential damages totaling more than $20 million
  • Nancy Lott v. Harris D. Purvis and BRJ, Inc., 2 So.3d 789. Obtained summary judgment for trucking company, which was upheld on appeal
  • Employers Mutual Casualty Company v. RLI Insurance Company, 2008 WL 4330300 (insurance coverage). Obtained summary judgment in favor of defendant insurance company based on the application of the volunteer payment doctrine
  • In re Silica Products Liability Litigation, No. 1553, 398 F. Supp. 2d 563 (S.D. Tex 2005)

News & Knowledge

Professional Recognition

  • Selected to Mid-South Super Lawyers (2020-2023)
  • Selected to Mid-South Rising Stars (2012-2018)
  • The Best Lawyers in America® (2017-2024): Commercial Litigation, Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions – Defendants, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
  • Selected as one of Portico Jackson Magazine’s PORTICO 10 (2017)
  • Martindale-Hubbell® AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rating


Best Lawyers Award Badge

Organization/Committee Memberships

  • The Mississippi Bar
  • Capital Area Bar Association
  • State Bar of Michigan
  • Alabama State Bar
  • The Trial Network
  • FormanWatkins Recruiting Committee
  • FormanWatkins Marketing Committee

Speaking Engagements

  • American Institute for Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters (CPCU), Northern Wisconsin Chapter, “MDL 1553 and Beyond”

Pro Bono & Community Service

  • Stewpot Community Services Legal Clinic
  • Clinton Baseball Association Board Member
  • Youth baseball and soccer coach

Law School Honors & Awards

  • Mississippi College Law Review
  • Mississippi Bar Award, Business Law Section

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