Bill Smith Headshot

William L. Smith Sr.

Partner
  • (601) 965-8175
Download Resume bsmith@balch.com
Education
  • University of Mississippi School of Law
    J.D., 1976,

    cum laude, Mississippi Law Journal

  • Mississippi State University
    B.S., 1972,

    with highest honors, Phi Delta Phi, Omicron Delta Kappa

Bar Admissions
  • Mississippi, 1976
About Bill
Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant appointed Bill as chairman of the Judicial Appointments Advisory Committee for the Governor’s office to serve during the Governor’s term.
Q&A
  • Which Courts or agencies do you most often appear before on behalf of your clients?

    I most frequently appear before the Mississippi federal and state courts, Mississippi Public Service Commission, and the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality.

  • What types of clients do you represent?

    My clients include those in the energy, chemical, utilities, manufacturers, and interstate pipeline sectors.

  • What type of matters do you work on most often?
  • How are you involved in your community?

Select Matters

  • Chemical explosion: Served as lead counsel for Mississippi Chemical in a $450,000,000 chemical explosion case. (Terra Industries v. Mississippi Chemical Corporation)
  • Eminent domain: Served as lead counsel for Kinder Morgan in Mississippi on the Midcontinent Express Pipeline. Approximately 130 cases were filed and resolved favorably. (2009)
  • Chemical exposure matter: Currently serving as lead Mississippi counsel for Textron in a chemical exposure matter involving more than 200 plaintiffs. (2016)
  • Regulatory counsel: Ongoing regulatory counsel in Mississippi for Atmos Energy Corporation, the largest gas distribution utility in Mississippi. Lead counsel for AT&T in Mississippi. (2016)   
  • Parkway Pipeline: Lead counsel in Mississippi for Plantation Pipeline for their product pipeline, Parkway Pipeline. (2015)
  • Express Pipeline: Lead counsel in Mississippi for Energy Transfer Corporation for construction of their Fayetteville Express Pipeline. (2012)
  • Mass environmental enforcement actions: Lead counsel for defendant in more than 100 separate environmental enforcement actions brought by MDEQ or EPA.
  • Hazardous waste disposal permit: Lead counsel in MDEQ permitting battle to permit Mississippi’s only hazardous waste disposal facility.

News

    Credentials

    Education
    • University of Mississippi School of Law, J.D., 1976,

      cum laude, Mississippi Law Journal

    • Mississippi State University, B.S., 1972,

      with highest honors, Phi Delta Phi, Omicron Delta Kappa

    Courts
    • U.S. Supreme Court
    • Mississippi Supreme Court
    • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Mississippi
    • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Mississippi
    • U.S. Court of Appeals, Eleventh Circuit
    • U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit
    • U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
    • U.S. Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit
    Bar Admissions
    • Mississippi, 1976
    Professional Affiliations
    • American Bar Association, Litigation and Environmental Law Sections
    • American Corporate Counsel Association
    • Metro Jackson Chamber of Commerce
    • DRI
    • Mississippi Defense Lawyers Association
    Awards & Accolades
    • Chambers USA, Energy & Natural Resources
    • The Best Lawyers in America®, Commercial Litigation, Environmental Law, Litigation – Real Estate, 2010 – present
    • The Best Lawyers in America®, Lawyer of the Year, Litigation – Real Estate (Jackson, Mississippi), 2013
    Community Involvement
    • Country Club of Jackson, President
    • St. Andrews Episcopal School, Executive Committee
    • Jackson Touchdown Club, President
    • Mississippi Memorial Stadium, Board of Directors
    • Jackson Convention and Visitors Bureau, Board of Directors