Atty. Jefferson Davis Gilder

Atty. Jefferson Davis Gilder

Jefferson D. Gilder was admitted to the Mississippi and Tennessee Bars in 1990.

Southaven Southaven 36 yrs experience 36 year
Call (662) 565-6003 Book Appointment

Profile Summary

About Jefferson Davis Gilder at a glance

Jefferson Davis Gilder is a Partner based in Southaven, Mississippi, practicing at Chatham Gilder Howell Pittman. They have 36+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1990. Their practice focuses on car accidents, medical malpractice, personal injury, criminal defense, and product liability. Admitted to practice in Mississippi (1990). Educated at University of Mississippi School of Law (J.D., 1990) and University of Mississippi (B.A. Accountancy, 1987). Recognitions include BV Distinguished. Active member of American Association for Justice (AAJ) Mississippi Association for Justice (MAJ) Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association Mississippi Bar Association Tennessee Bar Association DeSoto County Bar Association American Bar Association. Serands clients in Southaven, MS and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • Jefferson D. Gilder was admitted to the Mississippi and Tennessee Bars in 1990
  • Mr. Gilder is admitted to practice in all courts in Mississippi and Tennessee including Federal Court, the Fifth and Sixth Circuit Courts of Appeal, and the United States Supreme Court
  • Mr. Gilder's areas of practice include personal injury, criminal, medical malpractice, civil rights, and product liability
  • Mr. Gilder spent his first ten years as an attorney practicing with his father, Robert G. (Bob) Gilder, at Gilder Law Firm in Southaven, Mississippi before forming Gilder, Howell & Assoc., P.A. with Jamie W. Howell, Jr. in June of 2000
  • This firm although as another legal entity has now combined their resources and experience with Chatham – Pittman, PLLC to form Chatham Gilder Howell Pittman PLLC. Mr. Gilder was born on July 19, 1966, in Vardaman, Calhoun County, Mississippi to Bob and Barbara (Gibson) Gilder
  • He and his wife, Caroline Reese Gilder, have been married over 25 years and have two daughters, Suzannah and Josephine
  • Mr. Gilder is a member of the Orchard Church, where he has served one year as a deacon and will have served four years as an elder at the end of 2018
  • Golf, Ole Miss football, family, and church fill Mr. Gilder's time outside the office
  • Mr. Gilder’s nickname is Bruiser
  • The character Rudy from The Rainmaker is believed to be loosely based on Mr. Gilder and a case he handled for a client who was referred to him by John Grisham
  • The defendants in that case were a sham agency and a life insurance company which sold accidental health insurance
  • Mr. Grisham chose Jefferson’s nickname, a name he was known by in the local bar association, for another character in the novel
  • Mr. Gilder received his Juris Doctorate in 1990 and his Bachelor of Arts degree in Accountancy in 1987 from the University of Mississippi where he was a member of Phi Kappa Phi and graduated Magna Cum Laude
  • He graduated from high school at Memphis Preparatory School in Memphis, Tennessee in 1984 as Salutatorian
  • He had previously attended Whitehaven High School
  • Honors and Awards • National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Lawyers 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 • The Million Dollar Advocates Forum • Top 100, Society of Legal Advocates 2013, 2014 • American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys - 10 Best, Client Satisfaction Award 2014 Professional Associations and Memberships • American Association for Justice (AAJ), Member • Mississippi Association for Justice (MAJ), Member • Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association • Mississippi Bar Association, Member • Tennessee Bar Association, Member • DeSoto County Bar Association, Member • American Bar Association

Practice Areas Explained

Jefferson Davis Gilder's Areas of Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Jefferson Davis Gilder handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

Car Accidents

Hurt in a car crash? Car accident lawyers fight insurance companies for fair compensation — free consult, no fee unless you win.

Jefferson Davis Gilder is one of 36,807 car accidents attorneys indexed nationally. Browse car accidents attorneys in Mississippi →

Medical Malpractice

Medical malpractice lawyers represent patients harmed by negligent doctors, hospitals, and other providers. Free case review, no fee unless you win.

Jefferson Davis Gilder is one of 49,086 medical malpractice attorneys indexed nationally. Browse medical malpractice attorneys in Mississippi →

Personal Injury

Personal injury attorneys help accident victims recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain & suffering. Most work on contingency — no fee unless you win.

Jefferson Davis Gilder is one of 264,852 personal injury attorneys indexed nationally. Browse personal injury attorneys in Mississippi →

Criminal Defense

A criminal defense attorney protects your rights from arrest through trial. Find experienced lawyers handling DUI, drug, federal, theft, and violent-crime charges.

Jefferson Davis Gilder is one of 214,270 criminal defense attorneys indexed nationally. Browse criminal defense attorneys in Mississippi →

Product Liability

Jefferson Davis Gilder is one of 66,193 product liability attorneys indexed nationally. Browse product liability 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 Southaven 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 Southaven or all attorneys in Mississippi.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about Jefferson Davis Gilder

Where is Jefferson Davis Gilder's law office located?
Jefferson Davis Gilder's law practice is located in Southaven, Mississippi. The firm is Chatham Gilder Howell Pittman. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does Jefferson Davis Gilder handle?
Jefferson Davis Gilder focuses on car accidents, medical malpractice, personal injury, criminal defense, product liability. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in Mississippi.
How long has Jefferson Davis Gilder practiced law?
Jefferson Davis Gilder has 36+ years of legal experience and has been licensed since 1990.
Where did Jefferson Davis Gilder go to law school?
Jefferson Davis Gilder earned their education at (J.D., 1990); (B.A. Accountancy, 1987).
How can I contact Jefferson Davis Gilder for a consultation?
You can contact Jefferson Davis Gilder 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 Jefferson Davis Gilder received?
Jefferson Davis Gilder's notable recognition includes: BV Distinguished.

Education

J.D.
University of Mississippi School of Law
- 1990
B.A. Accountancy
University of Mississippi
- 1987

Awards

BV Distinguished

Bar Admissions

Mississippi
Admitted: 1990

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