S. Christopher Farris, Attorney At Law - Hattiesburg, MS

The law firm of S. Chris Farris is located in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, providing a broad range of legal services to individuals and business clients throughout Mississippi and the southern part of the country.

For the last 14 years I have been fighting for the rights of my clients whether as an accused person fighting the Government, automobile accident victim fighting insurance companies and trucking companies, negligence of others or a parent fighting for custody of their child and/or their rights to marital property. I have a reputation for being a hard nosed trial attorney who is not intimidated by the Government, Big Businesses and Insurance Companies. I have been very successful handling complex litigation cases including personal injury and product liability cases, criminal defendants and Father's seeking custody of their children.

Dedication to quality, understanding of the law, trust, and respect are the foundation for my long-standing relationships with clients and the community.

Admiralty & Maritime Law - I represent clients who have sustained injuries while working on offshore oil rigs, barges, river boats, jack-up rigs and any other vessel in navigation. Many of these claims are covered by the Jones Act as well as the Longshore and Harbor Worker's Compensation Act.

Criminal Law - I have extensive experience defending the rights of individuals charged with crimes in State and Federal Courts. I have handled complex criminal defense n Federal Court involving multiple defendant drug conspiracies, securities fraud, white collar crimes, bankruptcy fraud, and conspiracy. In state court I have handled numerous cases involving sex crimes, rape, burglary, D.U.I., manslaughter, and murder. I also handled the landmark case of Lee v. State, which defined the requirements in Mississippi for establishing a Conspiracy. Mr. Lee's conviction was reversed and he was set free.

Divorce and Child Custody - I have handled a full range of divorce cases from simple to complex involving equitable distribution of marital property, retirement funds and alimony. I have also been successful in obtaining custody of minor children for Fathers. I have extensive experience in handling complex child custody cases especially those involving the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction Act and Federal Parental Kidnapping Act.

Litigation & Appeals

Personal Injury - Plaintiff - I have handled complex products liability cases against Honda for seatbelt failure and failure to warn and Freightliner for defective manufacturing of trucks. I have extensive experience in handling Automobile accident cases including uninsured motorist claims, hospital negligence cases, dram shop act cases, trucking accidents involving some of the largest companies including Mississippi Power Co., KLLM, Georgia-Pacific and other companies. I have received multiple six figure verdicts in the cases I have tried including a recent slander case involving a Hattiesburg police officer which included an award of punitive damages as well.

Worker's Compensation - Claimant - This is a major area of my practice along with personal injury. I handled the landmark case of McGowan v. Orleans Furniture, which set the standard for determining loss of functional use of a schedule member injury as well as loss of wage earning capacity. This case is cited repeatedly in opinions from the Mississippi Supreme Court involving issues of worker's compensation. I also have handled some of the largest Third Party Claims. I have been a lecturer on the subject of Worker's Compensation for the Mississippi Worker's Compensation Commission, Mississippi Methodist Rehabilitation Center Conference, and Mississippi College School of Law Continuing Legal Education Seminars.

General Litigation - I have represented numerous clients who have been sued both in Federal and State courts of Mississippi, including WDAM-TV 7, Union Planters Bank, insurance companies, and small businesses.

Bad Faith Insurance Companies - I have handled numerous claims against some of the largest insurance companies for refusing to pay valid claims for Health Insurance benefits, worker's compensation benefits, burial insurance claims or general claims for property, fire and storm damage claims. All of the cases I have handled involved the payment of punitive damages as well as the underlying claim.