Phelps Dunbar LLP Logo
  • Services
  • Insights
  • Professionals
Phelps Dunbar LLP Logo
  • Services
  • Insights
  • Professionals
  • ABOUT US
  • LOCATIONS
  • SUSTAINABILITY
  • CAREERS
  • Practices
  • Industries
    Todd Butler photograph

    G. Todd Butler

    Partner

    Jackson
    601-360-9366
    todd.butler@phelps.com
    Areas Of Focus
    Labor and EmploymentAppellateEmployment Litigation

    Todd's practice focuses on litigation and strategic counseling, with an emphasis on appellate, constitutional, and employment matters. He represents clients of all types, including Fortune 500 companies, mom-and-pop businesses, governmental entities and individuals. For years, he has served as General Counsel for the Mississippi Municipal Service Company, the Mississippi Municipal Liability Plan, the Mississippi Municipal Workers’ Compensation Group, and a Mississippi-based fast-food franchise.

    Appearing as counsel in more than 300 cases, Todd has helped clients obtain successful outcomes at every stage of litigation. He has tried cases to the bench, juries, and arbitrators, navigated favorable settlements, and presented oral argument 15 times in appellate courts throughout the United States. Todd is featured in the third edition of Winning On Appeal: Better Briefs and Oral Argument, a leading appellate practice treatise.

    In addition to representing clients, courts have appointed Todd to serve as an arbitrator. Parties likewise have chosen him to arbitrate their private disputes. He has taught courses as an adjunct law professor and is the past Chairman of the Mississippi Bar’s Appellate Practice Section. He regularly trains employers on personnel compliance and prepares policy manuals.

    Todd serves as Managing Partner of the Jackson Office and previously served on the Operations Committee. Before joining Phelps, he clerked for Judge Leslie H. Southwick on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

    Todd serves as Managing Partner of the Jackson Office and previously served on the Operations Committee. Before joining Phelps, he clerked for Judge Leslie H. Southwick on the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

    Experience

    • Representation of municipalities in cases alleging civil rights violations.
    • Representation of police officers in cases alleging civil rights violations.
    • Representation of businesses in cases alleging employment discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.
    • Representation of businesses in arbitrations against unions.
    • Representation of non-profit organizations on compliance matters.
    • Representation of religious organizations before administrative agencies.
    • Representation as amici counsel in cases before the Mississippi Supreme Court.
    • Representation of religious organizations before administrative agencies.
    • Representation as amici counsel in cases before the Mississippi Supreme Court.

    Insights

    • June 5, 2025

      Phelps’ Chambers USA Rankings Expand to 78 Lawyers, 28 Practices in 2025 Guide…

    • May 22, 2025

      Phelps Achieves String of Appellate Wins in Quick Succession…

    More +
    • December 23, 2024

      Appellate Team Secures Four Constitutional Wins in Fifth Circuit to Close Out 2024…

    • November 21, 2024

      18 Phelps Lawyers Named to 2024 Mid-South Super Lawyers Lists…

    • August 15, 2024

      185 Phelps Lawyers Chosen for Best Lawyers in America, 20 Named "Lawyer of the Year," 26 Added to “Ones to Watch” List…

    • July 24, 2024

      Waves of Change: Navigating Labor and Employment Trends…

    • June 6, 2024

      Chambers USA Guide 2024 Ranks 24 Phelps Practice Areas and 69 Lawyers…

    • May 16, 2024

      MML & MMSC Present Municipal Government & Social Media: Tips to Protect Yourself and Your Municipality from First Amendment Liability …

    • November 28, 2023

      Sixteen Phelps Lawyers Honored on 2023 Mid-South Super Lawyers Lists…

    • November 15, 2023

      MSCHCA Presents Update on Personnel Issues…

    • October 3, 2023

      Jackson Office Earns Three Federal Appellate Victories in 30 Days …

    • August 29, 2023

      JAILCON 2023 Southern Regional Conference…

    • August 17, 2023

      Best Lawyers in America Selects 208 Phelps Lawyers, Names 12 "Lawyer of the Year," Adds 47 to "Ones to Watch" List…

    • July 26, 2023

      Annual Mississippi Labor & Employment Seminar: Creative Solutions in Labor & Employment…

    • June 27, 2023

      MML Presents Navigating Public Corruption Laws and Public Official Liability…

    • June 26, 2023

      MML Presents Employment Law 101: How to Protect Your Municipality from Unlawful Personnel Decisions…

    • June 1, 2023

      Chambers USA 2023 Ranks 20 Phelps Practice Areas and 60 Lawyers…

    • April 18, 2023

      MACAC Presents Spring Educational Workshop…

    • March 28, 2023

      Mississippi Municipal Service Company Spring Education Workshops…

    • January 27, 2023

      Phelps Dunbar Has Been Mississippi’s Go-to Litigation Firm for Over 30 Years…

    • November 29, 2022

      Super Lawyers Names 22 Phelps Lawyers to 2022 Mid-South Lists…

    • November 15, 2022

      MSMSC Presents Are You Prepared for a Constitutional Audit?…

    • September 20, 2022

      Mississippi Legislative Updates for Employers to Consider…

    • August 18, 2022

      Best Lawyers in America Selects 158 Phelps Lawyers, Names 10 "Lawyer of the Year," Adds 40 to "Ones to Watch" List…

    • August 16, 2022

      JAILCON Southern Regional Conference…

    • August 3, 2022

      Annual Mississippi Labor & Employment Seminar: A New School of Thought…

    • July 14, 2022

      IPMA-HR Presents Medical Marijuana & Public Sector Employees…

    • June 13, 2022

      Mississippi Association of Supervisors Annual Convention…

    • June 1, 2022

      Chambers USA 2022 Ranks 19 Phelps Practice Areas and 56 Lawyers…

    • May 12, 2022

      Phelps Secures Appellate Victory for City and Local Law Enforcement in Case Involving Probable Cause…

    • November 30, 2021

      Super Lawyers Names 23 Phelps Attorneys to 2021 Mid-South Lists…

    • August 5, 2021

      Mississippi Labor & Employment Law Conference…

    • May 27, 2021

      Tips from the Trenches: Arguing Before Mississippi’s Appellate Courts, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court in the Age of COVID-19…

    • May 20, 2021

      Chambers USA 2021 Ranks 18 Phelps Practice Areas and 52 Lawyers…

    • November 30, 2020

      15 Phelps Lawyers Honored by 2020 Mid-South Super Lawyers and Rising Stars…

    • August 26, 2020

      Phelps Partner Todd Butler Joins International Association of Defense Counsel…

    • April 25, 2017

      Jackson Partner Todd Butler Named to Top 10 of Mississippi Business Journal's "Top 50 Under 40"…

    Recognition

    • AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
    • Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business - Labor & Employment
    • Employment - Management (2020-2025), Litigation - Labor and Employment (2020-2025), The Best Lawyers in America
    • Mid-South Super Lawyers list (2020-2023), Rising Stars list (2014-2018), Super Lawyers
    • Top 50 under 40 - Top 10 Honoree (2017), Leadership in Law (2013), Mississippi Business Journal
    • Fellow Award, Mississippi Bar Young Lawyers (2007)
    • AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
    • Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business - Labor & Employment
    • Employment - Management (2020-2025), Litigation - Labor and Employment (2020-2025), The Best Lawyers in America
    • Mid-South Super Lawyers list (2020-2023), Rising Stars list (2014-2018), Super Lawyers
    • Top 50 under 40 - Top 10 Honoree (2017), Leadership in Law (2013), Mississippi Business Journal
    • Fellow Award, Mississippi Bar Young Lawyers (2007)

    Education

    • Mississippi College School of Law, J.D., summa cum laude, 2008
    • Mississippi State University, B.S., Business Administration, summa cum laude, 2005
    • Mississippi College School of Law, J.D., summa cum laude, 2008
    • Mississippi State University, B.S., Business Administration, summa cum laude, 2005

    Credentials

    • Mississippi
    • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
    • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Mississippi
    • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Mississippi
    • Judicial Law Clerk for Hon. Leslie H. Southwick, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
    • Mississippi
    • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
    • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Mississippi
    • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Mississippi
    • Judicial Law Clerk for Hon. Leslie H. Southwick, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit

    Memberships and Affiliations

    • The Mississippi Bar, Appellate Practice Section - Past Chairman
    • Federal Bar Association
    • Mississippi Defense Lawyers Association - Past Editor-in-Chief of The Quarterly
    • Mississippi College School of Law - Adjunct Professor
    • International Association of Defense Counsel
    • Federalist Society
    • American Inns of Court
    • 2023 Magistrate Judge Selection Committee for the Southern District of Mississippi
    • Rankin County Bar Association
    • Fifth Circuit Bar Association  
    • The Mississippi Bar, Appellate Practice Section - Past Chairman
    • Federal Bar Association
    • Mississippi Defense Lawyers Association - Past Editor-in-Chief of The Quarterly
    • Mississippi College School of Law - Adjunct Professor
    • International Association of Defense Counsel
    • Federalist Society
    • American Inns of Court
    • 2023 Magistrate Judge Selection Committee for the Southern District of Mississippi
    • Rankin County Bar Association
    • Fifth Circuit Bar Association  
    • Overview
    • Experience
    • Insights
    • Recognition
    • Education
    • Credentials
    • Memberships and Affiliations

    Related Services

    • Labor and Employment
    • Appellate
    • Employment Litigation
    Stay connectedReceive our latest thinking on topics you care about.SIGN UP NOW
    • ©2025 Phelps Dunbar LLP. All Rights Reserved
    • Lawyer Advertising
    • Privacy & Disclaimer
    • Contact Us
    © 2025 Phelps Dunbar LLP. All Rights Reserved