MRS. LAURA H. COURTNEY received a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1984, where she graduated Cum Laude. She received a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Mississippi in 1987. Mrs. Courtney is a member of the Mississippi Bar, and is licensed to practice in all Mississippi state and federal courts. She was the senior staff attorney for the Mississippi Board of Nursing from May 2003 through February of 2007. Prior to that time, the focus of her practice for over 15 years was personal injury, primarily in defense funded by insurance carriers, and general practice. Since returning to private practice in February of 2007, she has been responsible for all types of general litigation, including workers’ compensation, automobile tort, construction, and premises liability cases. Mrs. Courtney is a resident of Florence, Mississippi.