Katherine (Katie) Portner was admitted to the Mississippi Bar in 2018 and has been admitted to practice in all state and federal courts in Mississippi and the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. Katie was also admitted to the Tennessee Bar in 2017 and has been admitted to practice in all state courts in Tennessee.
Katie joined the firm in August 2018 after clerking for the Honorable Steven Stafford of the Tennessee Court of Appeals. While clerking, Katie dealt with all areas of civil law and wrote many opinions for Judge Stafford. After her year in west Tennessee, Katie returned home, to Cleveland, Mississippi, to practice law.
Katie attended Delta State University, graduating summa cum laude with a B.A. in political science in 2014. She then attended law school at the University of Mississippi in Oxford. During law school, Katie was a member of the Dean’s Leadership Council and the Mississippi Law Journal, where she served on the Executive Board as an Executive Articles Editor. Katie also wrote an article titled Tinker’s Timeless Teaching: Why the Heckler’s Veto Should Not Be Allowed in Public High Schools, which is published in the 86th Volume of the Mississippi Law Journal. Katie graduated law school magna cum laude in May 2017.
J-G-L has been deemed ALTA “Best Practices” certified. This certification allows J-G-L to close a broad range of residential and commercial loans. The certification process insures law firms who handle real estate transactions are following best practices as it relates to the protection of confidential consumer information. The certification relates to the security and privacy of the loan documents for both the borrower and the lender, together with the handling of the loan funds and the quality of the legal work related to real estate loans. The certification comes only after a vigorous audit by an outside firm to insure compliance with all ALTA requirements.
Senior partner Gerald Jacks was recently named one of the "Best Lawyers in America." The "Best Lawyers" publication has been honoring America's brightest legal minds since 1983. The honor is bestowed by peers after an extensive review process. Learn more at www.bestlawyers.com.
On December 29, 2016, SUMMARY JUDGMENT was affirmed in the matter of a former detainee who disputed the quality of medical care provided in the Desoto County Adult Detention Facility.
Danny Griffith and former partner Mike Carr handled the appeal.
On January 03, 2017 SUMMARY JUDGMENT was granted in favor of all defendants in the matter of allegations of wrongful arrest by a subject who was arrested, tried, convicted and later acquitted on appeal from assault charges which arose from a long term boundary-line dispute between relatives in Calhoun County. Danny Griffith and Mary McKay Griffith handled the case.
On January 11, 2017 SUMMARY JUDGMENT was granted in favor of all defendants in the matter of a former inmate in the Lowndes County Adult Detention Facility claiming the loss of sight in his right eye. Danny Griffith and Hollie Moore handled the case.
In 2016, J-G-L assisted the City of Cleveland in successfully annexing a crucial commercial corridor on Highway 61 North. The annexed area now is home to the under-construction Cannon Motors complex, a major commercial development for the City.
