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Atty. J. Richard Barry

Atty. J. Richard Barry

J. Richard "Rick" Barry is managing partner of Barry, Thaggard & May, LLP.

Meridian Meridian 47 yrs experience 47 year
Call (601) 693-2393 Book Appointment

Profile Summary

About J. Richard Barry at a glance

J. Richard Barry is a Managing Partner based in Meridian, Mississippi, practicing at Barry, Thaggard & May, LLP. They have 47+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1979. Their practice focuses on litigation, government, health care, and insurance. Admitted to practice in Mississippi (1979). Educated at University of Mississippi (J.D., 1979) and University of Mississippi (B.P.A., 1976). Recognitions include AV Preeminent. Serands clients in Meridian, MS and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • J. Richard "Rick" Barry is managing partner of Barry, Thaggard & May, LLP. He has been licensed to practice law since 1979 and has been admitted to practice before all courts in the State of Mississippi, including the United States federal districts courts for the Northern and Southern District Courts, as well as the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals
  • Mr. Barry was inducted as a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) and has earned an AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, showing the highest ethical commitment and legal knowledge
  • Mr. Barry is an active member of the Mississippi Bar, having served as the President of the Young Lawyers Section from 1986-1987 and as a member of the Board of Bar Commissioners from 1985-1988
  • In addition, he served as Chair of the Healthcare Section of the Mississippi Bar and served on the Summer School for Lawyers Committee
  • Mr. Barry was inducted as a Bar Foundation Fellow in 1990
  • He has held leadership positions in the Lauderdale County Bar Association as President (1993) and as Secretary / Treasurer (1980)
  • Mr. Barry was recently elected as President of the Mississippi Bar Association
  • Mr. Barry is a member of the American Bar Association (ABA) and belongs to the Section on Litigation for the ABA where he served on the Minority Trial Lawyer Committee
  • In 2008, the ABA Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary recognized Mr. Barry as "well qualified" for federal district judge
  • This resulted from Mr. Barry's nomination by President George W. Bush for a position on the federal bench which expired without hearing when President Bush left office
  • Mr. Barry served on the Mississippi Judicial Appointment Advisory Committee and on the Board of Directors of the Mississippi Volunteer Lawyers Project Committee
  • Mr. Barry is currently in his second seven-year term serving on the Mississippi State Board of Mental Health, having been appointed by Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour (2005) and reappointed by Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant (2012)
  • Mr. Barry serves as the Board's Chairman
  • Mr. Barry's practice areas include civil litigation, insurance defense, healthcare law, employment law, and workers compensation law
  • Mr. Barry serves as General Counsel and on the Board of Directors for Rush Health Systems, Inc. and as attorney for the Meridian Housing Authority and Greater Meridian Health Clinic, Inc.. Mr. Barry has served for more than twenty (20) years as the attorney for the Lauderdale County Board of Supervisors
  • Mr. Barry is a graduate of the University of Mississippi where he earned his Bachelor's degree in Public Administration in 1976
  • Mr. Barry earned his Juris Doctorate in Law from the University of Mississippi in 1979
  • Mr. Barry is a native of Quitman, Mississippi

Practice Areas Explained

J. Richard Barry's Areas of Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases J. Richard Barry handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

Civil Litigation

Civil litigation attorneys for breach of contract, business disputes, civil rights, and class action lawsuits.

J. Richard Barry is one of 454,532 litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse litigation attorneys in Mississippi →

Government & Administrative Law

Attorneys for administrative law, agency hearings, government contracts, licensing, and public benefits.

J. Richard Barry is one of 132,225 government attorneys indexed nationally. Browse government attorneys in Mississippi →

Health Care Law

Health care attorneys for HIPAA, Medicare, Medicaid, regulatory compliance, and medical licensing matters.

J. Richard Barry is one of 66,735 health care attorneys indexed nationally. Browse health care attorneys in Mississippi →

Insurance Law

Insurance attorneys for coverage disputes, bad faith claims, denied claims, and policy disputes.

J. Richard Barry is one of 121,912 insurance attorneys indexed nationally. Browse insurance attorneys in Mississippi →

Jurisdictional Context

Why local counsel matters in Mississippi

Practicing law in Mississippi. Legal matters in Mississippi are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Meridian are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Mississippi state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Mississippi brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Mississippi courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

Looking for additional Mississippi attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Meridian or all attorneys in Mississippi.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about J. Richard Barry

Where is J. Richard Barry's law office located?
J. Richard Barry's law practice is located in Meridian, Mississippi. The firm is Barry, Thaggard & May, LLP. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does J. Richard Barry handle?
J. Richard Barry focuses on litigation, government, health care, insurance. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in Mississippi.
How long has J. Richard Barry practiced law?
J. Richard Barry has 47+ years of legal experience and has been licensed since 1979.
Where did J. Richard Barry go to law school?
J. Richard Barry earned their education at (J.D., 1979); (B.P.A., 1976).
How can I contact J. Richard Barry for a consultation?
You can contact J. Richard Barry directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.
What awards or recognition has J. Richard Barry received?
J. Richard Barry's notable recognition includes: AV Preeminent.

Education

J.D.
University of Mississippi
- 1979
B.P.A.
University of Mississippi
- 1976

Awards

AV Preeminent

Bar Admissions

Mississippi
Admitted: 1979

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