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Michael J. Bentley

Contact

  • One Jackson Place
    188 E. Capitol Street
    Suite 400
    Jackson, MS 39201
P: 601.592.9935
F: 601.592.1435
Secretary:
P: 601.592.9929

Michael J. Bentley

Associate
Michael’s practice is focused on appeals and general litigation. Drawing on his experience as a law clerk for Judge Leslie Southwick, Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, Michael has represented clients as diverse as a seed producer in its appeal of an insurance coverage dispute and an international oil and gas construction company in its appeal of a maritime dispute. Michael regularly represents mortgage lenders in federal and state court litigation. He has also litigated disputes arising under the Uniform Commercial Code and Mississippi’s ad valorem tax laws.

Michael’s practice is focused on appeals and general litigation. Drawing on his experience as a law clerk for Judge Leslie Southwick, Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, Michael has represented clients as diverse as a seed producer in its appeal of an insurance coverage dispute and an international oil and gas construction company in its appeal of a maritime dispute. Michael regularly represents mortgage lenders in federal and state court litigation. He has also litigated disputes arising under the Uniform Commercial Code and Mississippi’s ad valorem tax laws.

Prior to law school, Michael served as an aid to Mississippi Governor Ronnie Musgrove for four years. As a member of the governor’s staff, he advised the governor on labor and employment legislation and served as the governor’s liaison to county and municipal governments. Michael also worked for the Mississippi Department of Education, serving as assistant to the State Board of Education and staff manager for the State Superintendent.

Michael graduated summa cum laude from Mississippi College School of Law, where he served as Articles Editor for the Mississippi College Law Review and was a member of the moot court board. Before law school, Michael graduated magna cum laude from Millsaps College. At Millsaps, Michael was a writer and editor for the college newspaper (The Purple & White) and the recipient of the Reid and Cynthia Bingham Award for Excellence in Political Science.

Michael remains involved with Mississippi College School of Law, serving as a Professor of Legal Writing and coaching the law school’s ABA National Appellate Advocacy Competition team. He also chairs the Jackson Young Lawyer’s pro bono committee and serves as a volunteer attorney for the Stewpot Homeless Legal Clinic, the Mississippi Volunteer Lawyers Project’s Legal Line, and the Mississippi Center for Justice’s education advocacy program.

Distinctions

  • Adjunct Professor of Legal Writing, Mississippi College School of Law, 2008-2011

Memberships and Affiliations

  • American Bar Association
  • Mississippi Bar Association
    • Appellate Practice Section, Vice-Chair (2012-present)
    • Young Lawyers Division, Board of Directors (2011-present)
  • Fifth Circuit Bar Association
  • Capital Area Bar Association
  • Jackson Young Lawyers Association
    • Board of Directors (2010-present)
    • Pro Bono Committee Chair (2009-2010)
  • Mississippi Association of Partners in Education
    • President (2012-present)
    • First Vice-President (2010-2012)
    • Board of Directors (2009-2010)
  • Millsaps College Arts and Lecture Series
    • Vice President for Membership (2012-present)
    • Board of Directors (2011-present)
  • Mississippi Faith-Based Coalition for Community Renewal, Board Member, 2001-2004
  • Charles Clark Chapter of American Inns of Court, (2010-2012) 

You May Not Know

Michael is a native of Meridian, Mississippi and a third generation graduate of Millsaps College. At Millsaps, he played varsity golf and wrote for the college newspaper. Before law school, Michael served as an aid to Governor Ronnie Musgrove, where he learned the ins-and-outs of Mississippi government. Today, Michael lives in Fondren with his wife, Sarah, and their son, Henry Rabb. He is an avid reader of history and presidential biographies. In his spare time, Michael coaches moot court at Mississippi College School of Law.