Overview
Barbara J. Meeks is senior counsel at WSHB's Dallas office, specializing in complex civil litigation, general liability, personal injury, premises, nursing home defense litigation, and unemployment law. Additionally, Barbara has had substantial experience defending insurance agents and other licensed professionals against claims of negligence, malpractice, and breach of duty. Barbara also advises insurance carriers on E&O policy interpretation and coverage disputes and works closely with clients to mitigate risk and resolve claims through negotiation, litigation, or alternative dispute resolution.
She embarked on her legal journey as a legal assistant in 1994, where she discovered her passion for law. Her career trajectory continued, eventually leading her to clerk for the Secretary of State of Mississippi during law school. In the 1990's Barbara contributed to discrimination cases faced by Black farmers. Many years later, she witnessed the historic payout by the federal government to many of these farmers, who were deceased by then. Barbara then represented the families of the deceased farmers after decades of systemic lending discriminatory practices. Following her clerkships, Barbara worked with various firms and also established her own firm focusing on personal Injury, bankruptcy, wills and estate planning, and family law.
Barbara has served as an Administrative Law Judge for the Mississippi Department of Employment Security Commission. She was the first attorney appointed to this position who had not worked for or received service hours with this appointing agency. Barbara has served as Assistant Attorney General for the State of Texas and Attorney-Advisor for the U.S. Government Small Business Administration.
She earned her Juris Doctor from Mississippi College in 2001 and graduated with a B.A. in Political Science from the Historical Tougaloo College in 1995. During her academic tenure, Barbara excelled academically, later receiving the prestigious Reuben V. Anderson Pre-Law Award for her mentorship and contributions to students at her university. Barbara has served her community by volunteering on many mayoral campaigns, volunteering as a judge for Texas High School Mock Trial Competitions, hosting free legal clinics and camps for children, and participating in community service initiatives.
In addition to her legal pursuits, Barbara is actively involved in philanthropy. She founded the Senator Henry J. Kirksey Scholarship Fund for pre-law majors from the Mississippi Delta and participates in various legal associations such as the American Bar Association, State Bar of Texas, and State Bar of Mississippi.
In her free time, she enjoys the company of her husband and daughters.
Barbara is licensed to practice law in the United States Supreme Court (2018), Texas Supreme Court (2017), United States District Courts, Mississippi Supreme Court (2002), Tribal Court of Mississippi, and others.
Credentials
Education
- Mississippi College School of Law (J.D., 2001)
- Tougaloo College (B.A., 1995)
Licensed to Practice in
- Texas
- Mississippi
- Chancery Court of Mississippi
- Mississippi Court of Appeals
- Supreme Court of Mississippi
- Supreme Court of Texas
- Tribal Court of Mississippi
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Texas
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Mississippi
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas
- U.S. District Court, Southern District of Texas
- U.S. Supreme Court
Community
Memberships
- American Bar Association
- Dallas Bar Association
- Marquis Who’s Who in America
- Phi Delta Phi International Legal Fraternity
- Magnolia Bar Association
- Mississippi Volunteer Lawyers Association
