Barfield & Associates Attorneys

David A. Barfield graduated from Mississippi State University (B.A., with distinction, 1978) and received his legal education from the University of Mississippi (J.D. 1982). While in law school, Mr. Barfield was Chairman of the Moot Court Board, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Space Law, and was a member of Phi Delta Phi. Mr. Barfield is a member of the Hinds County Bar, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas State Bars. He is also a member of the Defense Research Institute and Mississippi Defense Lawyers Association. He is admitted to practice before State and Federal Courts of Mississippi, the State Courts of Louisiana and Texas, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Mr. Barfield practices primarily in the areas of toxic torts / mass torts, product liability, insurance defense, professional liability, governmental entity liability, and business litigation. Email Mr. Barfield at dbarfield@barfieldlaw.com

Lara Ashley Coleman graduated from Jacksonville State University (B.A., cum laude 1993), and received her legal education from the University of Mississippi (J.D. 1996). While in law school, she was a member of the Moot Court Board, as well as a member of Phi Delta Phi. Ms. Coleman is a member of the Mississippi Bar, Hinds County Bar Association, and the Jackson Young Lawyers Association. She is admitted to practice before the State and Federal Courts in Mississippi and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Ms. Coleman primarily practices in the areas of insurance defense, professional liability, and business litigation.  Email Ms. Coleman at lacoleman@barfieldlaw.com

Richard D. Gamblin graduated from the University of Mississippi (B.B.A. , with special distinction, 1974) and received his legal education from the University of Mississippi (J.D. 1977). While in law school, Mr. Gamblin was a member of the Editorial Board of the Mississippi Law Journal as well as a member of Phi Delta Phi. Mr. Gamblin is a member of the Mississippi Bar, Hinds County Bar Association, Mississippi Defense Lawyers Association, and the Defense Research Institute. He is admitted to practice before the State and Federal Courts of Mississippi and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Mr. Gamblin practices in the areas of general civil litigation, toxic torts / mass torts, business litigation, and insurance defense. Email Mr. Gamblin at rgamblin@barfieldlaw.com

Steven L. Lacey graduated from Mississippi College (B.S., Criminal Justice, 1995) and received his legal education from Mississippi College School of Law (J.D. 2000). While in law school, Mr. Lacey was a recipient of the American Jurisprudence Award for scholastic excellence in Criminal Procedure. Mr. Lacey is a member of the Mississippi Bar, American Bar Association, and the Defense Research Institute. He is admitted to practice before the State and Federal Courts in Mississippi and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Mr. Lacey practices primarily in the areas of general civil litigation, governmental entity defense, and insurance defense. Email Mr. Lacey at slacey@barfieldlaw.com

Kimberly P. Mangum graduated from Millsaps College (B.A., cum laude, 1995), and received her legal education from the University of Mississippi (J.D. 1998). Ms. Mangum is a member of the Mississippi Bar, Hinds County Bar Association, Jackson Young Lawyers Association, Mississippi Women Lawyers Association, and the Defense Research Institute. She is admitted to practice before the State and Federal Courts in Mississippi and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Ms. Mangum practices in the areas of general civil litigation, toxic torts / mass torts, product liability, business litigation, and insurance defense.  Email Ms. Mangum at kmangum@barfieldlaw.com

Wes W. Peters graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi (B.S., Highest Honors, 1982), where he was a member of Omicron Delta Kappa and Phi Kappa Phi, and subsequently acquired his law degree from the University of Mississippi (J.D. cum laude, 1985). While in law school, Mr. Peters was Chairman of the Moot Court Board, as well as a member of Phi Delta Phi and The Order of Barristers. He represented the law Center as a member of its National Mock Trial Team, and he was chosen as Phi Delta Phi’s Graduate of the Year. He is admitted to practice before all State and Federal Courts in the State of Mississippi and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. He is a member of the Hinds County Bar, the Mississippi Bar, and the American Bar Association. Mr. Peters practices primarily in the areas of personal injury, insurance defense, product liability, admiralty and maritime law, and general civil litigation.  Email Mr. Peters at wpeters@barfieldlaw.com

Paul A. Purnell graduated from the University of Mississippi (B.P.A., 1990) and received his legal education from the University of Mississippi (J.D. 1993). He was also selected to attend the National District Attorney Association’s Trial Advocacy course in Columbia, South Carolina. Mr. Purnell is a member of the Mississippi Bar, the Hinds County Bar Association, the Defense Research Institute (Member: Lawyers Professionalism and Ethics committee), and the Mississippi Prosecutors’ Association. He is a former Assistant District Attorney for Hinds County, Mississippi, and the former municipal prosecutor for the City of West Point, Mississippi. He is admitted to practice before the State and Federal Courts in Mississippi and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Mr. Purnell practices primarily in the areas of toxic torts / mass torts and products liability.  Email Mr. Purnell at ppurnell@barfieldlaw.com

Louisiana Office

M. Scott Minyard graduated from Mississippi University for Women (B.S., cum laude, 1991) (coed since 1981) and subsequently acquired his law degree from Mississippi College School of Law (J.D., with distinction, 1995). While in law school, Mr. Minyard served as the Executive Editor of the Mississippi College Law Review and was the recipient of the American Jurisprudence Award for scholastic excellence in Contracts. He is a member of the Louisiana and Mississippi State Bars. Mr. Minyard is admitted to practice before the State Courts of Louisiana, all State and Federal Courts of Mississippi, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. He practices primarily in the areas of toxic torts / mass torts, product liability, insurance defense, and professional liability. Email Mr. Minyard at sminyard@barfieldlaw.com.