Smith Receives Mississippi’s Paralegal of the Year Award

October 28, 2021

Vicky Smith has received top honor Paralegal of the Year Award by the Mississippi Paralegal Association. Vicky began her paralegal career at the Eleventh Circuit Court District Attorney’s Office. Vicky is a native of Bolivar County and attended Delta State University, receiving her Bachelor’s degree in finance, Master’s in business administration, and Master’s in criminal justice.

Vicky has experience in both state and federal courts. Although her experience reaches across the board in many legal areas, her work focuses primarily on civil litigation in the federal arena and Mississippi Tort Claims in state courts. She finds great enjoyment and satisfaction in serving law enforcement and governmental entities.

Escobedo Receives Prestigious Academic Award

Full-time DSU student and part-time legal intern, Isabella Escobedo was honored with the 2021 Jack Winton Gunn Award by the College of Arts and Sciences of Delta State University. The Gunn Award is among the most prestigious given at DSU each year and is awarded for overall academic excellence. At the ceremony, Isabella was also recognized as an L. Q. C. Lamar Phi Alpha Theta History Scholarship recipient, a William McKinley Cash History Scholar, and a member of Phi Alpha Theta International History Honor Society. Isabella will begin her senior year at DSU in the fall 2021 and plans to attend law school upon graduation to pursue a career in law. Jacks Griffith Luciano is proud to have Isabella as an asset to our firm.

School District Decision Affirmed by Fifth Circuit

September 25, 2020 — The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals AFFIRMED the Northern District of Mississippi in the matter of Jasmine Shepard vs. Cleveland School District, et al, Case Number: 19-60907 finding: “In a thorough and well-reasoned opinion, the district court granted summary judgment to the defendants. We find no reversible error of fact or law in that decision.”

Tarpley Joins Firm

Bethany A. Tarpley has joined Jacks Griffith Luciano, P.A. as a partner, as of July 1, 2020.  Bethany was admitted to the Mississippi Bar in September 2012 and is admitted to practice in all state and federal courts in Mississippi, as well as the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Federal Judicial District.

Bethany is a Madison, Mississippi native who attended university at Florida State University, where she received her bachelor’s degree  (magna cum laude) and master’s degree (summa cum laude).  Bethany moved to England after graduation, working for the International Bar Association before returning home.  She worked as a paralegal before obtaining her law degree from Mississippi College School of Law (summa cum laude) in 2012. During law school, Bethany was articles’ editor for the Mississippi College Law Review, served on the moot court board, was a member of the American Inns of Court, and graduated second in her class.

Bethany brings to Jacks Griffith Luciano an extensive knowledge and experience in family law as well as general litigation.  Prior to joining the firm, Bethany has represented clients in commercial, civil, domestic, criminal, and appellate matters.  Bethany is excited to expand her experience with civil litigation and defense working with the firm as well as continuing to assist clients with domestic and family law matters.

Jamie Jacks Returns to Jacks Griffith Luciano

We are proud to announce that effective June 1, 2020, Jamie F. Jacks returns to Jacks Griffith Luciano.   During her year away from us, Jamie practiced law in New Orleans at Plauche',  Maselli and Parkerson, a boutique insurance defense firm located in the Central Business District. During her time at Plauche', Jamie defended multiple clients in suits involving construction law, complex insurance coverage matters and premises liability, arguing and winning motions for her Louisiana clients located from Lafayette to Jefferson Parish. During this last year, Jamie also appeared twice before the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals where she made constitutional law arguments on behalf of Mississippi public entities. Jamie is thrilled to be back to work at a firm that means so much to her and is excited about helping a diverse array of clients in the community she loves so dearly.