J Stevenson Ray

Practice Details

• Representative Cases & Transactions
  Cases

  Experience: Representative Commercial Cases
  Community Bank, Ellisville, Mississippi v. Courtney, 884 So. 2d 767 (Miss. 2004). Representation post-trial
  on appeal of bank in lender liability action. Verdict of $5, 345, 000 reduced post-trial
  on appeal to $6, 236.
  Johnson v. Kansas City Southern, 224 F.R.D. 382 (S.D. Miss. 2004). Representation of telecommunications company in defeating plaintiffs' class action certification motion in railroad right-of-way litigation.
  Jones v. Life Ins. Co. of Georgia, 336 F. Supp. 2d 631 (S. D. Miss. 2004). Representation of insurance company in sales practices litigation.
  Powers v. Litton Industries, Inc., 104 Fed. Appx. 399, 2004 WL 1598761 (5th Cir. (Miss.) (2004). Representation of employer against former executive's claim for additional stock options. Summary judgment secured
  affirmed.
  Estate of Smith v. Samuels, 822 So. 2d 366 (Miss. App. 2002). Representation of lender in successful action to enforce option to purchase real estate.
  Smith v. EquiFirst Corp., 117 F. Supp. 2d 557 (S.D. Miss. 2000). Successful Federal Arbitration Act petition to force arbitration.
  Representative Fiduciary Cases
  Todd v. Deposit Guaranty National Bank, 849 F. Supp. 1149 (S.D. Miss. 1994). Successful representation of bank as safekeeping agent. Biglane v. Biglane, 587 So. 2d 298 (Miss. 1991). Representation of decedent's estate in will construction touching on estate taxation
  affirmed.
  Will contests.
  Defense of corporate
  individual trustees in numerous cases.
  Representative Tax Litigation Cases
  Gift Tax. Representation of taxpayers in district court transferee liability action.
  Estate Tax.Representation of taxpayer in tax court action challenging assessed deficiencies.
  State Tax Controversy.Representation of multi-state taxpayer on issue of state taxation of electronic commerce.
  State Tax Controversy.Representation of out-of-state taxpayers in multi-million dollar income tax assessment
  taxpayers could not post jurisdictional bond, so relief was secured in TRO action resulting in favorable settlement for taxpayers of approximately 25% of original assessment.
  State Tax Controversy.Representation of Fortune 500 company in multi-million dollar income tax assessment
  refund action resulting in $4, 000, 000 refund (issue was whether gain on sale was part of apportionable business income).
  Representative Professional Liability Cases
  Southeastern Medical Supply, Inc. v. Boyles, Moak & Brickell Ins., Inc., 822 So. 2d 323 (Miss. App. 2002). Representation of insurance broker in negligence action.
  California Union Ins. Co. v. City of Walnut Grove, Miss., 857 F. Supp. 515 (S.D. Miss. 1994). Representation of insurance broker in negligence action.
  Representation of CPA firm against claim of improper tax advice given in commercial transaction.
  Representation of investment brokerage firm in claim of negligently investing for minor child
  summary judgment obtained.
  Representation of state-wide insurance broker in claim alleging failure to procure workers' compensation coverage.
  Representation of insurance broker in negligence action involving co-insurance penalty
  cost-of-defense settlement obtained.
  Representation of attorney's former client in securing settlement of legal malpractice claim in mid-six figures.