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    Reuben Anderson photograph

    Reuben V. Anderson

    Of Counsel

    Jackson
    601-360-9339
    reuben.anderson@phelps.com
    Areas Of Focus
    LitigationGaming

    Reuben Anderson practices in the areas of commercial litigation and regulatory and governmental matters. In addition to his work at the firm, he has cultivated a professional resume of legal service. He is the first African-American Supreme Court Justice in Mississippi where he served from 1985 to 1991. Other key positions have included: Circuit Court Judge for the 7th Circuit Court District, 1982-85; County Court Judge for Hinds County, 1977-82; Municipal Judge for the City of Jackson, 1976-77; Partner, Anderson, Banks, Nichols & Stewart, 1968-77; Mississippi Associate Counsel, NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc., 1967-75; Jamie L. Whitten Chair of Law and Government at the University of Mississippi, Fall of 1995.

    Insights

    • November 21, 2024

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

    • February 21, 2024

      Phelps Honored with GJCP Excellence in Diversity Award…

    More +
    • November 28, 2023

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

    • October 3, 2023

      Jackson Office Earns Three Federal Appellate Victories in 30 Days …

    • January 27, 2023

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

    • January 16, 2023

      Continuing the Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Through a Lifetime of Activism…

    • November 29, 2022

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

    • November 30, 2021

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

    • February 26, 2021

      Access to Trailblazers: Reuben Anderson Paved the Way for Diversity in Legal and Business Communities…

    • January 19, 2021

      Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Unity Breakfast and Day of Service …

    • November 30, 2020

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

    • July 8, 2020

      "It is the thrill of my life to accept these flags:" Reuben Anderson Speaks at Mississippi State Flag Retirement…

    • November 5, 2019

      16 Lawyers Named 2019 Mid-South Super Lawyers and Rising Stars…

    • July 26, 2018

      In Our Communities: Reuben Anderson Honored Among First African-American Supreme Court Justices…

    Recognition

    • AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
    • Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business
    • Appellate Practice (2010-2020), Arbitration in Jackson (2011-2020), Commercial Litigation (2007-2020), Legal Malpractice Law - Defendants (2011-2020), Mediation (2011-2020), The Best Lawyers in America
    • Mid-South Super Lawyers list, Super Lawyers (2006-2023)
    • Namesake for Tougaloo College’s Reuben V. Anderson Pre-Law Society
    • Inductee, University of Mississippi School of Law Alumni Hall of Fame (2011)
    • Lifetime Achievement Award, The Mississippi Bar (2007)
    • Alumnus of the Year, University of Mississippi School of Law (2005)
    • Inductee, University of Mississippi Alumni Hall of Fame (1995)
    • AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
    • Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business
    • Appellate Practice (2010-2020), Arbitration in Jackson (2011-2020), Commercial Litigation (2007-2020), Legal Malpractice Law - Defendants (2011-2020), Mediation (2011-2020), The Best Lawyers in America
    • Mid-South Super Lawyers list, Super Lawyers (2006-2023)
    • Namesake for Tougaloo College’s Reuben V. Anderson Pre-Law Society
    • Inductee, University of Mississippi School of Law Alumni Hall of Fame (2011)
    • Lifetime Achievement Award, The Mississippi Bar (2007)
    • Alumnus of the Year, University of Mississippi School of Law (2005)
    • Inductee, University of Mississippi Alumni Hall of Fame (1995)

    Education

    • University of Mississippi School of Law, J.D., 1967
    • Tougaloo College, 1965
    • University of Mississippi School of Law, J.D., 1967
    • Tougaloo College, 1965

    Credentials

    • Mississippi
    • U.S. Supreme Court
    • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
    • Mississippi
    • U.S. Supreme Court
    • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit

    Memberships and Affiliations

    Professional

    • The Mississippi Bar - First African-American President (1997-1998)
    • Hinds County Bar Association
    • Magnolia Bar Association
    • National Bar Association (Hall of Fame, 2009)
    • U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals Bar Association
    • U.S. Supreme Court Bar Association

    Civic

    • Mississippi Civil Rights Museum - Chairman
    • Mississippi Economic Council, State Chamber of Commerce - First African-American President (2001)
    • 100 Black Men of Jackson
    • AT&T, Dallas, TX - Director
    • The Kroger Company, Cincinnati, OH - Director
    • MINACT Inc., Jackson, MS - Director
    • Ole Miss Alumni Association - Trustee
    • Tougaloo College - Trustee & Past Chairman of the Board

    Professional

    • The Mississippi Bar - First African-American President (1997-1998)
    • Hinds County Bar Association
    • Magnolia Bar Association
    • National Bar Association (Hall of Fame, 2009)
    • U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals Bar Association
    • U.S. Supreme Court Bar Association

    Civic

    • Mississippi Civil Rights Museum - Chairman
    • Mississippi Economic Council, State Chamber of Commerce - First African-American President (2001)
    • 100 Black Men of Jackson
    • AT&T, Dallas, TX - Director
    • The Kroger Company, Cincinnati, OH - Director
    • MINACT Inc., Jackson, MS - Director
    • Ole Miss Alumni Association - Trustee
    • Tougaloo College - Trustee & Past Chairman of the Board
    • Overview
    • Insights
    • Recognition
    • Education
    • Credentials
    • Memberships and Affiliations

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