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Stephanie M. Rippee is admitted to the Mississippi and Tennessee Bars.  For 30 years, she has sought to find practical and efficient legal solutions for clients on a local, regional, and national basis. Her practice focuses on both commercial and product liability litigation.  She has earned the ANSI-accredited Certified Information Privacy Professional/United States (CIPP/US) credential through the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP). She is a recognized public speaker and author and has been selected by Mid-South Super Lawyers as one of the Top 50 Lawyers in Mississippi. 

Representative Matters

  • Trial counsel for oncologist and multi-specialty medical clinic in medical malpractice case
  • Trial counsel for individual co-executors/beneficiaries seeking discharge as co-executors of disputed estate
  • Trial counsel for bankruptcy trustee of real estate investment company in fraudulent conveyance action (obtained jury verdict recovering over $2 million in real property)
  • Trial counsel for private financing company in action by bankruptcy trustee disputing company’s status as secured creditor
  • Counsel for international mining company in talc litigation
  • Mississippi Counsel for hernia mesh manufacturer
  • Obtained summary judgment for private financing company on multi-million dollar guaranty executed by corporate debtor's individual alter ego principal
  • Trial counsel for bank seeking discharge as co-executor of disputed estate
  • Counsel for bank in overdraft protection class action
  • Trial counsel for German gun manufacturer in product liability action
  • National counsel team for manufacturer of birth control pill
  • Counsel for multiple pharmaceutical manufacturers in Average Wholesale Price litigation in both Mississippi and Louisiana
  • Counsel for multiple pharmaceutical manufacturers in Covered Outpatient Drug litigation in Mississippi 
  • Lead counsel for boiler repair contractor in multi-million dollar commercial dispute with customer
  • Co-lead counsel for pharmaceutical company in all Mississippi diet drug litigation in state court, federal court, and MDL proceeding
  • National counsel for pharmaceutical contract manufacturer in isotretinoin litigation
  • Trial counsel in multiple bad faith insurance cases for various life, health, and disability insurers
  • Mississippi counsel team for manufacturer of implantable birth control device

Honors & Recognitions

  • American Bar Foundation, Fellow
  • AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
  • Business Today’s Top 10 Most Influential Commercial Litigation Lawyers in Mississippi, 2023
  • Benchmark Litigation's Top 250 Women in Litigation, 2016–20
  • Benchmark Litigation: Local Litigation Star, 2017-22 (General Commercial Litigation and Product Liability)
  • Chambers USA-America's Leading Lawyers for Business (2015-22, Litigation: General Commercial)
  • Guide to the World's Leading Women in Business Law (2012-present)
  • Guide to the World's Leading Litigation and Product Liability Lawyers (2012-present)
  • IADC 43rd Annual Trial Academy, Stanford Law School, Palo Alto, CA, Faculty Member, August 1-7, 2015
  • Litigation Counsel of America, Fellow (2011-2017)
  • Mid-South Super Lawyers (2020 Business Litigation; 2011-18, Personal Injury Products: Defense; 2011-19 Top 50 Lawyers in Mississippi; 2011-19 Top 50 Female Lawyers in Mid-South)
  • Mississippi Business Journal's 50 Leading Business Women (2008)
  • PORTICO Legacy Lawyers, Class of 2017
  • The Best Lawyers in America, Jackson, Mississippi Lawyer of the Year (2023, Litigation - Trusts and Estates; 2021, Product Liability Litigation - Defendants; 2020, Litigation - Trusts and Estates)
  • The Best Lawyers in America - 2011-present (Commercial Litigation; Litigation - Trusts and Estates; Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions - Defendants; Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants; Privacy and Data Security Law; Product Liability Litigation - Defendants)
  • Top Ten Recipient of Mississippi Business Journal's Leadership in Law Award, 2017
  • Who's Who Legal: Product Liability Defence, 2014-present

Community & Professional

Professional Involvement
  • International Association of Defense Counsel
    • Leadership Advisory Council (2023-2024)
    • Trial Academy Committee (2023-2024)
    • Corporate Counsel College Advisory Board (2023-2024)
    • Membership Committee (2022-2024, Southwest Regional Chair)
    • Board of Directors (2018-2021) 
    • Defense Counsel Training Manual Editorial Board (2015-2016)
    • IADC Regional Meeting Host, Jackson, MS (April 1, 2014)
    • State Membership Committee Chair, Mississippi (2011-present);
    • Products Liability Committee (2009-2011, Vice Chair of Diversity; 2011-2013, Vice Chair of Programs and Projects; 2013–2014, Vice Chair of Webinars; 2014-2015, Vice Chair of Membership; 2015–2017, Committee Chair)
    • Business Litigation Committee  (2012-2014, Vice Chair of Diversity; 2014–2015, Vice Chair of Webinars)
    • Drug, Device and Biotechnology Committee
    • Diversity Committee
    • Civil Justice Response Committee
  • American Bar Association Task Force on Federal Agency Preemption, 2009-2010
  • International Association of Privacy Professionals
  • State Coordinator for Mississippi - iCivics, www.iCivics.org (web-based education project spearheaded by Justice Sandra Day O'Connor to reinvigorate civics education in middle schools) (2009-present)
  • Mississippi Volunteer Lawyers Project, 2007-present
  • American Bar Association
    • Litigation Section - Mass Torts Litigation Committee, Product Liability Committee, Commercial and Business Litigation Committee
    • Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section - Business Litigation Committee, Product Liability Committee
  • American Bar Association Current Issues in Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Litigation CLE Workshop, Philadelphia, PA, November 17, 2011 (co-chair)
  • Trial Attorneys of America, 2009-2012
  • Defense Research Institute (Product Liability Committee; Drug and Device Committee; Diversity Committee)
  • Mississippi Defense Lawyers Association 
  • Capital Area Bar Association (2019-2020 Bench & Bar Committee; 2012–2014, Law Related Education Committee; 2007-2011, Women in the Profession Committee [Co-Chair 2010-2011])

Community Involvement
  • Planning Committee, Sante South Wine Festival, benefitting the MIND Center, 2022-2024
  • Planning Committee, Ignite the Night: New York State of Mind, benefitting the Mississippi Children’s Museum, 2022
  • Planning Committee, the MIND Center presents Magic of the Mind (featuring Jon Dorenbos), 2020
  • Planning Committee, the MIND Center presents A Night with Beautiful Minds (honoring Dr. Tommy Prewitt), 2019
  • Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance, Advocate Leader (national advocacy group dedicated to raising awareness of and funding for ovarian cancer research and treatment), 2019-present
  • Planning Committee, the MIND Center presents Cyndi Lauper, 2018
  • Planning Committee, the MIND Center presents The Doobie Brothers, 2017
  • Planning Committee, Youth Villages Tribute to Excellence, 2016
  • Planning Committee, Brian Wilson, a benefit concert for the MIND Center, 2016
  • Planning Committee, Gladys Knight, a benefit concert for the MIND Center, 2015
  • Planning Committee, Youth Villages Tribute to Excellence, 2014
  • Planning Committee, An Evening With the Band Perry, concert benefiting the MIND Center, 2013
  • Planning Committee, Youth Villages Tribute to Excellence, 2013
  • Planning Committee, Glen Campbell, An Evening With the Rhinestone Cowboy, concert benefiting the MIND Center, 2012
  • Mississippi Arthritis Foundation's Jammin' for Joints (2012–13, Corporate Sponsor Co-Chair)
  • American Heart Association's Art For Heart Gala (2010-11 Executive Leadership Team)
  • Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi's Bacchus Ball (2009, Event Chair; 2010, Corporate Sponsor Chair; 2011-12, Premiere Silent Auction Co-Chair)
  • Memory Impairment and Neurodegenerative Dementia (MIND) Center at the University of Mississippi Medical Center (2009-present, Advisory Board)
  • Youth Villages Mississippi (2012-present, Leadership Council)
  • Finance Chair, An Evening with the Creators of The Help, benefiting the MIND Center, 2010
  • Friends of Children's Hospital Light A Light Program, 2008-09

News

Articles & Publications

Presentations

  • “Trust Litigation Trends And Issues,“ Mississippi Bankers Association 2019 Wealth Management Conference, Jackson, MS, October 24-25, 2019

  • “Notice of Appeal to the Fifth Circuit: Procedure, Tips, Anecdotes,” Mississippi Bankruptcy Conference, Biloxi, MS, November 8-9, 2018
  • “Challenging The Plaintiff’s Economic Damages Expert,” IADC Annual Meeting, Lisbon, Portugal, July 7-12, 2018

  • “Technology & Innovation,” Mississippi Economic Council’s 69th Annual Meeting, Jackson, MS, April 12, 2018

  • "Balancing the Scales: Leading Women Lawyers on Meeting the Challenges of the Legal Profession," Capital Area Bar Association Women's Initiative Meeting, Jackson, MS, March 20, 2018 
  • "Trust Litigation Trends and Emerging Risks," Mississippi Bankers Association Financial Management Conference, Jackson, MS, November 4, 2016
  • "After the Data Breach: A Hands On 'Table Top' Demonstration About How To Counsel Clients In Crisis," IADC Midyear Meeting, Pebble Beach, CA, February 20-25, 2016 
  • "Data Breach: Principles, Practice and the Public Interest," IADC Midyear Meeting, Pebble Beach, CA, February 20-25, 2016
  • "Privacy and Data Security," Mississippi Bankers Association Bank Director Training, Oxford, Jackson and Hattiesburg, MS, February 17-19, 2015
  • "What the IADC Website Can Do For You: How to Maximize the Benefits of Your Membership," IADC Webinar, October 22, 2014
  • "Ethics & Asset Protection Trusts: A Panel Discussion," Jackson, MS, July 29, 2014
  • "Health Care Issues in Product Liability Law," UM-CLE Current Issues in Health Care Law, Ridgeland, MS, May 16, 2014
  • "Evidentiary Issues Key to Product Liability Cases," IADC Midyear Meeting, Rancho Mirage, CA, February 11-16, 2012
  • "World of Product Liability Law in Review," IADC Annual Meeting, Whistler, British Columbia, July 9-14, 2011
  • "Strategies for Success As a Female Litigator," IADC Webinar, April 19, 2011
  • "Trial Skills: Technology in the Courtroom and in Mediation," ABA Section of Litigation Product Liability Committee, Women In Product Liability Workshop, New York, New York, November 12, 2010
  • "Sales Representatives in the Operating Room: Recognizing and Minimizing the Risks of Liability," Zimmer Solutions, Inc. Mid-Year Sales Meeting, August 2010
  • "Women in the Profession," Tougaloo College Pre-Law Summit, Jackson, MS, April 2010
  • "Lunch With Experience," ABA Law Student Division 5th Circuit Spring Meeting, Jackson, MS, February 2010
  • "The Legal Profession: A Panel Discussion," Mississippi College, Clinton, MS, March 2009
  • Women in Law Roundtable, Mississippi College, Clinton, MS,  March 2008

Education

Juris Doctor: Vanderbilt Law School, 1991

Bachelor's Degree: Bachelor of Accountancy: University of Mississippi, summa cum laude, 1988

Taylor Medalist in Accounting, 1987

Associate Editor,Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law

Associate Problem Editor, Vanderbilt Moot Court Board