Somers, Margery N.

Phil is a shareholder and director in the firm. He is AV rated by Martindale Hubbell.  He is an active member of DRI (Defense Research Institute) where he has served as Publications Chair, Membership Chair and Annual Meeting Chair for the Workers' Compensation Committee and is a member of the Workers' Compensation Steering Committee. He is also a member of the DRI Employment Law, Insurance Law and Government Liability Committees. Phil was honored with his selection into the International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC).  Membership in IADC is by invitation only and it is considered the preeminent defense counsel organization.  In IADC Phil serves on the Employment Law and Casualty Insurance Committees. Phil also serves as Insurance Vice-Chair of the Environmental, Energy and Maritime Law Committee of IADC and Insurance Vice-Chair of the Toxic Torts and Hazardous Substances Committee of IADC.

Phil is also active in the Mississippi Bar Workers' Compensation Section where he was a board member from 2004-08. He  frequently presents seminars to business representatives, the insurance industry, self-insured, attorneys and judges in Mississippi, Florida, Texas and Louisiana. He has also been published in national publications through DRI and the Atlanta Claims Association. Phil is also a certified mediator through the Mississippi Bar Worker's Compensation Section mediation program. Phil handles the defense of workers' compensation, transportation, employment law, government and section 1983 liability and general liability litigation, as well as advising clients on employment and insurance related issues. He has tried cases in state and federal courts as well as before the Mississippi Workers' Compensation Commission and has handled appeals in the state and federal appellate system. He is admitted to practice in Mississippi and Texas.

Phil has two children. He and his children attend Trinity United Methodist Church in Gulfport, Mississippi. Away from the office, he enjoys spending time with his children, pro and college football, music and hunting. Phil is an alumnus of Ole Miss (The University of Mississippi) and The University of Southern Mississippi. He is originally from Columbia, Mississippi.