Phelps Adds Litigation Team Led by John Rouse
JACKSON, Miss. – July 1, 2025 – Phelps welcomes 20-year trial veteran John Rouse and team to the deep bench of litigators in the firm’s Jackson office, expanding the firm’s products liability, financial services and corrections health care practices.
“John and the new team are the next step in our plan to fortify Phelps’ Mississippi presence and regional connections,” Jackson Office Managing Partner Todd Butler said. “Their trial experience in some of the state’s biggest – and most highly scrutinized – industries boosts our litigation support for clients operating throughout the South.”
John brings a group of seasoned legal and business professionals with him to Phelps, including associate Taylor Weatherspoon, who helps clients resolve commercial disputes, consumer protection claims, and actions involving medical negligence and civil rights claims.
John and Taylor’s arrival highlights the growing investment in Jackson by the firm, which moved to Flowood’s new Waterpointe development earlier this year to accommodate future growth. These lawyers expand the firm’s support for the manufacturing and health care industries and new sectors securing a foothold in the Gulf South.
“I’m excited to start the next chapter of my career with Phelps’ excellent bench of litigators, who share my commitment to professionalism and providing top-tier legal services across the Southeast,” John said.
While based in Mississippi’s commercial hub, John’s regional trial experience connects national and global companies to a go-to partner to resolve claims arising across the South. He regularly appears before state and federal courts in Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas to defend lenders, health services providers and manufacturers in complex disputes.
John is skilled at managing the legal and reputational risks that follow high-profile injury and product liability cases. He defends aviation carriers and manufacturers and their insurers against claims ranging from minor injuries to major accidents. He’s also guided financial services companies through headline-making class actions over negligent servicing and wrongful foreclosure claims. Health care administrators and professionals working in government agencies also rely on his counsel to handle professional negligence claims.