Atty. W. Whitaker "Whit" Rayner
Whit Rayner is a partner in the Litigation Practice Group and co-leader of the intellectual property team. He focuses on copyright and trademark registration and protection, software licensing, and intellectual property litigation and prosecution.
Profile Summary
About W. Whitaker "Whit" Rayner at a glance
W. Whitaker "Whit" Rayner is a trademark, copyright, ip, and internet attorney based in Jackson, Mississippi, practicing at Jones Walker Llp. Admitted to practice in Mississippi, Mississippi Bar, Mississippi, Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, and Mississippi, USDC-Northern and Southern Districts. Educated at Washington and Lee University (J.D., 1986) and Millsaps College (BA, 1983). Recognitions include Lawyer of the Year — Copyright Law, Jackson (MS) (2026), Lawyer of the Year — Litigation - Intellectual Property, Jackson (MS) (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Copyright Law (2026). Serands clients in Jackson, MS and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About
- Whit Rayner is a partner in the Litigation Practice Group and co-leader of the intellectual property team
- He focuses on copyright and trademark registration and protection, software licensing, and intellectual property litigation and prosecution
- Whit provides counsel and advice to notable large domestic and international clients, including outdoor lifestyle brands, technology companies, and financial institutions
- He also represents clients in commercial litigation and contract disputes
- Whit is active in many professional intellectual property organizations including the International Trademark Association (INTA) and The Mississippi Bar, Section of Intellectual Property Law
- Currently, he serves as chair of the Intellectual Property Section of the Mississippi Bar and is a member of the US Legislation Committee of INTA, having previously served as sub-committee chair of the Copyright Committee and a member of the INTA Panel of Neutrals
- In addition to his professional roles, Whit speaks regularly at the University of Mississippi CLE programs and the Intellectual Property, Entertainment & Sports Law Section Teleseminar hosted by The Mississippi Bar, and mentors entrepreneurs with Innovate Mississippi
- He is also the Mississippi editor of the INTA publication State Trademark and Unfair Competition Law, and the IP chapter of West Publishing’s Encyclopedia of Mississippi Law
- Whit was recently named “Lawyer of the Year,” Litigation- Intellectual Property, and “Lawyer of the Year” Copyright Law, in Jackson, Mississippi by Best Lawyers
- Since 2001, he has been recognized annually by Best Lawyers in America in the areas of Copyright Law
- Information Technology Law
- Litigation – Intellectual Property and Trademark Law
Practice Areas Explained
W. Whitaker "Whit" Rayner's Areas of Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases W. Whitaker "Whit" Rayner handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.
W. Whitaker "Whit" Rayner is one of 23,222 trademark attorneys indexed nationally. Browse trademark attorneys in Mississippi →
W. Whitaker "Whit" Rayner is one of 17,495 copyright attorneys indexed nationally. Browse copyright attorneys in Mississippi →
IP attorneys protect inventions, brands, and creative work through patent prosecution, trademark registration, copyright, and trade-secret enforcement.
W. Whitaker "Whit" Rayner is one of 106,079 ip attorneys indexed nationally. Browse ip attorneys in Mississippi →
Internet and cyber lawyers for data breaches, online defamation, privacy law, and cybersecurity matters.
W. Whitaker "Whit" Rayner is one of 17,958 internet attorneys indexed nationally. Browse internet 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 Jackson 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 Jackson or all attorneys in Mississippi.
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