JACKSON, Miss. – July 2026
Watkins & Eager is pleased to announce that Waverly A. Harkins has been elected Chair of the Government Law Section of The Mississippi Bar for the 2026-2027 term. Waverly was elected during The Mississippi Bar Annual Meeting held this week in Biloxi, Mississippi. Prior to her election as Chair, she served in several leadership roles within the Section, including Secretary, Vice Chair, and Member-at-Large.
The Government Law Section provides assistance and support to attorneys engaged in local and state government law and serves as a forum for practitioners to share resources, discuss emerging legal issues, and promote excellence in the practice of government law throughout Mississippi.
Waverly has built a distinguished practice centered on economic development, governmental relations, public finance, tax incentives, and public-private partnerships. She joined Watkins & Eager in 2017 after serving as a Special Assistant Attorney General assigned to the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA), where she represented the State of Mississippi in negotiations involving major business recruitment, expansion, and economic development projects throughout the state.
During her tenure with MDA, Waverly negotiated and drafted complex economic development inducement agreements, memoranda of understanding, loan and grant agreements, fee-in-lieu-of-tax agreements, and other legal instruments necessary to bring significant economic development projects to Mississippi. She also advised agency leadership on legal issues affecting economic and community development initiatives and, through her role as a Special Assistant Attorney General, prepared attorney general opinions for state and local governmental entities.
Today, Waverly advises clients on public financing, governmental incentives, economic development matters, corporate and real estate transactions, and interactions with state and local governmental bodies. She is licensed to practice in Mississippi, Tennessee, and Louisiana and is widely recognized for her deep understanding of the legal and regulatory issues that influence economic growth and investment in Mississippi.
“Waverly's election as Chair of the Government Law Section reflects the respect she has earned from colleagues across Mississippi's legal community,” said Corey Hinshaw, Managing Member. “Her experience in economic development and public law, combined with her longstanding commitment to professional service, make her exceptionally well-suited to lead the Section during the coming year.”
Waverly has been actively involved in the leadership of the Government Law Section for several years, progressing through multiple officer positions and helping support the Section's mission of providing education, collaboration, and professional development opportunities for attorneys practicing in government law. Watkins & Eager congratulates Waverly on this well-deserved honor and looks forward to her continued leadership and service to The Mississippi Bar and the citizens of Mississippi.