Atty. William F. Ray

Atty. William F. Ray

William F. Ray was admitted to the Mississippi Bar in 1986.

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Profile Summary

About William F. Ray at a glance

William F. Ray is a trusts, employment, business, and litigation attorney based in Jackson, Mississippi, practicing at Watkins & Eager PLLC. Admitted to practice in Mississippi, Mississippi Bar. Educated at University of Mississippi (J.D., 1988) and University of Mississippi (BA, 1983). Recognitions include Lawyer of the Year — Litigation - Securities, Jackson (MS) (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Bet-the-Company Litigation (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Commercial Litigation (2026). Serands clients in Jackson, MS and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • William F. Ray was admitted to the Mississippi Bar in 1986
  • His experience spans from commercial litigation, complex litigation and banking, securities and financial services to life, health and disability insurance and ERISA and employee benefit claims
  • His cases of note include Raines v
  • Bottrell Ins
  • Agency, Inc., 992 So.2d 642, 2008 WL 1869290, 2008 Miss
  • App
  • LEXIS 274
  • 27 I.E.R
  • Cas. (BNA) 1350 (Miss
  • App. 2008)
  • Estate of Bratton v
  • National Union Fire Ins
  • Co., 215 F.3d 516, 2000 U.S
  • App
  • LEXIS 14187, 24 Employee Benefits Cas. (BNA) 2510 (5th Cir. 2000)
  • Mississippi Gulf Coast Regional Wastewater Authority v
  • SLB, NASD case # 93-03411
  • First Investors Corp. v
  • Rayner, 738 So. 2d 228, 1999 Miss
  • LEXIS 172, 38 U.C.C
  • Rep. Serv. 2d (Callaghan) 963, (Miss. 1999)
  • William is listed in both The Best Lawyers in America and Chambers USA for Litigation

Practice Areas Explained

William F. Ray's Areas of Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases William F. Ray handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

Trusts

William F. Ray is one of 104,171 trusts attorneys indexed nationally. Browse trusts attorneys in Mississippi →

Employment Law

Employment lawyers represent workers in wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, wage & hour disputes, and severance negotiations.

William F. Ray is one of 169,120 employment attorneys indexed nationally. Browse employment attorneys in Mississippi →

Business & Corporate Law

Business attorneys advise founders and growing companies on entity formation, contracts, financing, M&A, and dispute resolution.

William F. Ray is one of 501,317 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in Mississippi →

Civil Litigation

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

William F. Ray is one of 454,532 litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse litigation 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.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about William F. Ray

Where is William F. Ray's law office located?
William F. Ray's law practice is located in Jackson, Mississippi. The firm is Watkins & Eager PLLC. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does William F. Ray handle?
William F. Ray focuses on trusts, employment, business, litigation. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in Mississippi.
Where did William F. Ray go to law school?
William F. Ray earned their education at (J.D., 1988); (BA, 1983).
How can I contact William F. Ray for a consultation?
You can contact William F. Ray 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 William F. Ray received?
William F. Ray's notable recognition includes: Lawyer of the Year — Litigation - Securities, Jackson (MS); Best Lawyers in America — Bet-the-Company Litigation; Best Lawyers in America — Commercial Litigation; Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Banking and Finance; Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - ERISA.

Education

J.D.
University of Mississippi
- 1988
BA
University of Mississippi
- 1983

Awards

Lawyer of the Year — Litigation - Securities, Jackson (MS)
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Bet-the-Company Litigation
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Commercial Litigation
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Banking and Finance
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - ERISA
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Securities
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Trusts and Estates
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice:
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Arbitration
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Regulatory Enforcement (SEC, Telecom, Energy)
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Special Focus:
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Banking
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Commercial Disputes
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Complex Litigation
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Covenants Not to Compete
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — ERISA
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Insurance
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Securities
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Trade Secrets
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Awards:
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Chambers USA-America's Leading Lawyers for Business (2009-2014, Litigation)
- 2026
Lawyer of the Year — Litigation - ERISA, Jackson (MS)
- 2025
Lawyer of the Year — Litigation - Securities, Jackson (MS)
- 2024
Lawyer of the Year — Litigation - Trusts and Estates, Jackson (MS)
- 2024
Lawyer of the Year — Bet-the-Company Litigation, Jackson (MS)
- 2023
Lawyer of the Year — Litigation - Trusts and Estates, Jackson (MS)
- 2022
Lawyer of the Year — Litigation - Banking and Finance, Jackson (MS)
- 2021
Lawyer of the Year — Litigation - Securities, Jackson (MS)
- 2020
Lawyer of the Year — Litigation - Banking and Finance, Jackson (MS)
- 2018
Lawyer of the Year — Litigation - Banking and Finance, Jackson (MS)
- 2013

Bar Admissions

Mississippi, Mississippi Bar

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