Michael Bentley is a partner in the Jackson, Mississippi office, where he concentrates his practice on appeals and litigation, with an emphasis on constitutional law, zoning and land-use litigation, and complex commercial disputes. He has been recognized by Chambers USA, The Best Lawyers in America®, and Benchmark Litigation as one of Mississippi’s leading litigators and appellate practitioners. Prior to joining the firm, Michael clerked for Judge Leslie H. Southwick at the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Michael is a Fellow in the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers, an invitation-only association of distinguished appellate litigators. He regularly serves as lead appellate counsel in high-stakes litigation, from trial — where he assists in developing legal strategy, handles critical motions, and advises on error-preservation — through appeal. Michael has argued numerous high-profile appeals in the Mississippi Supreme Court, including Priceline.com LLC v. Fitch, a challenge to Mississippi’s taxation of online travel companies; Reeves v. Gunn, a constitutional challenge to the governor of Mississippi’s line-item veto power; and American Tower v. Marshall County, Miss., establishing the proper procedure for appealing a county’s adverse zoning. In federal court, he recently argued Pinkston v. Kuiper, a first-impression constitutional challenge to the involuntary medication of an inmate, and Express Oil Change, LLC v. Mississippi, which struck down a state ban on the use of a trade name and service mark as an unconstitutional restriction on commercial speech.
His litigation experience ranges from class actions and commercial disputes to tax protests, premises liability cases, zoning contests, Section 1983 civil rights suits and constitutional claims. Michael has extensive experience in healthcare litigation, including defense of private correctional healthcare providers operating in state prison systems and representing payors in contract and claim disputes. He served as lead counsel on medical and mental healthcare claims in Dockery v. Hall, a six-week, federal class action trial that resulted in a defense judgment for his client. He has also represented healthcare providers in regulatory investigations, administrative proceedings, and litigation.
In addition to his law practice, Michael is active in bar associations and community organizations. He is a founding member and past chair of the Mississippi Bar Association’s Appellate Practice Section and currently serves on the Board of Governors for the Fifth Circuit Bar Association. Michael has also served on the boards of the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, Mississippi Association of Partners in Education, and the Millsaps College Arts & Lecture Series. He has been recognized by the Mississippi Business Journal as a “Leader in Law” (2020) and one of Mississippi’s “Top 40 Under 40” business leaders (2014).
Michael graduated summa cum laude from Mississippi College School of Law, where he served as articles editor for the Mississippi College Law Review and was a member of the Moot Court Board. He also graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in political science from Millsaps College. Before law school, Michael was an aid to Mississippi Gov. Ronnie Musgrove, where he was responsible for constituent communications and legislative affairs, as well as acting as the governor’s liaison to county and municipal governments.
Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® "Lawyer of the Year," Litigation- Construction, 2023 "Lawyer of the Year,"- Appellate Practice, 2023 Appellate Practice, 2019-2025 Commercial Litigation, 2017-2025 Litigation – Construction, 2019-2025 Litigation – Land Use and Zoning, 2019-2025 "Lawyer of the Year," Litigation- Construction, 2023 "Lawyer of the Year,"- Appellate Practice, 2023 Listed in Chambers USA, Litigation: Appellate, 2020-2024 Listed in Mid-South Super Lawyers Appellate, 2020-2024 "Rising Star," Appellate, 2014-2017 Listed in Benchmark Litigation "Under 40 Hot List," 2016-2018 "Future Star," Mississippi, 2015-2016, 2018-2021 "Litigation Star", 2023-2024 Listed in Mississippi Business Journal's "Top 40 Under 40," 2014 Adjunct Professor of Legal Writing, Mississippi College School of Law, 2008-2011 American Academy of Appellate Lawyers, Fellow, 2023 Priceline.com LLC v. Fitch, 376 So. 3d 1185 (Miss. 2023) Successfully represented online travel companies in reversing $50 million judgment in appeal presenting novel questions under Mississippi’s sales tax code. Pinkston v. Kuiper, 67 F.4th 237 (5th Cir. 2023) Successfully represented prison doctor in appeal presenting questions of first impression under the Due Process Clause and Eighth Amendment related to the involuntary medication of inmates. U.S. ex rel. Aldridge v. Corp. Mgmt., Inc., 78 F.4th 727 (5th Cir. 2023) Lead appellate counsel for critical access hospital in appeal of $34 million False Claims Act verdict based on allegations of Medicare cost-reporting fraud. Estate of Glen Hand v. Florida Dep’t of Corrs., 2023 WL 119426 (11th Cir. 2023) Lead appellate counsel for correctional healthcare provider in prisoner lawsuit alleging deliberate indifference to prisoner’s medical care. SRHS Ambulatory Servs., Inc. v. Pinehaven Group, LLC, 348 So. 3d 295 (Miss. 2022) Lead appellate counsel for community hospital system seeking to set aside real estate purchase that was not approved by county board of supervisors. VanWagner v. Faulks, 2022 WL 820075 (5th Cir. 2022) Successfully represented correctional healthcare provider in Eighth Amendment challenge to treatment of prisoners Hepatitis C infection. Henley v. Biloxi H.M.A., LLC, 48 F.4th 350 (5th Cir. 2022) Lead counsel for hospital in consumer class-action suit challenging emergency department fees, which was settled favorably after appeal. Holliday Construction, LLC v. George County, Miss., 352 So. 3d (Miss. Ct. App. 2022) Successfully represented county in suit challenging bid procedure used to award emergency contracts for hurricane debris removal. Baker v. Raymond James & Associates, Inc., 312 So. 3d 720 (Miss. 2021) Successfully petitioned for certiorari review and obtained reversal of common-law malfeasance claims against securities broker. American Tower Asset Sub, LLC v. Marshall Cty., 324 So. 3d 300 (Miss. 2021) Successfully represented wireless tower operator in appeal raising issue of first impression regarding trial court’s power to dismiss zoning challenge brought against competitor tower company. Reeves v. Gunn, 307 So. 3d 436 (Miss. 2020) (en banc) Successfully represented Gov. Tate Reeves of Mississippi in appeal affirming governor’s constitutional power to exercise line-item veto on appropriations bills. Mullennix v. Menard, 236 A.3d 171 (Vt. 2020) Successfully represented state corrections officials and private healthcare provider in reversing trial court’s certification of a statewide prisoner class challenging Vermont’s medication-assisted treatment program for opioid dependent inmates. O’Bryant v. Walgreen Co., 802 Fed. Appx. 826 (5th Cir. 2020) Successfully represented store owner in premises liability suit by customer seeking damages for injuries sustained when he was struck by another customer’s car outside of the store. Araujo v. Bryant, 283 So. 3d 73 (Miss. 2019) Successfully represented charter school in suit establishing constitutionality of Mississippi’s charter school law. Express Oil Change, LLC v. Miss. Bd. Of Licensure for Prof’l Engineers & Surveyors, 916 F.3d 483 (5th Cir. 2019) Successfully represented automotive services provider in constitutional commercial speech challenge to state’s ban on company’s use of the “Tire Engineers” trade name and service mark. Regions Financial Corporation v. Patricia Hall Sheppard, et al., No. 2017-CA-00619-SCT (Miss. S. Ct. 2018) Lead counsel in appeal of $6.4 million judgment against bank in breach of trust case, which was settled favorably after oral argument. Vann v. City of Southaven, 884 F.3d 307 (5th Cir. 2018) Successfully petitioned for en banc rehearing of decision denying qualified immunity to police officer involved in fatal shooting of suspected drug dealer. TNHYIF REIV Golf LLC v. Forrest Cty., 275 So. 3d 92 (Miss. Ct. App. 2018) Successfully represented multi-family property owner in taxpayer appeal challenging county assessor’s valuation model. Chamberlin v. Fisher, 885 F.3d 832 (5th Cir. 2018) (en banc) Pro-bono appellate counsel for death row inmate in federal habeas appeal challenging discrimination in jury selection. JRA One, LLC v. City of Ridgeland, No. 2016-CA-00079-SCT (Miss. S. Ct. 2017) Lead trial and appellate counsel for multi-family property owner in constitutional challenge to zoning ordinance restricting density in residential districts. Lefoldt v. Horne, L.L.P., 853 F.3d 804 (5th Cir. 2017) Successfully represented auditing firm in appeal in case of first impression regarding public hospital’s authority to enter binding arbitration agreement with its auditor. American Optical Corp. v. Estate of Rankin, 227 So. 3d 1062 (Miss. 2017) Successfully represented respirator manufacturer in appeal of $14 million jury verdict for worker alleging harmful exposure to silica. Thomas v. Chevron U.S.A., Inc., 212 So. 3d 58 (Miss. 2017) Lead appellate counsel for premises owner in appeal of case of first impression regarding immunity afforded by statutory employer provision of Mississippi Workers’ Compensation Act to owner who obtains Owner Controlled Insurance Program (OCIP). New Orleans Glass Co. v. Roy Anderson Corp., 632 Fed. Appx. 166 (5th Cir. 2015) Successfully represented general contractor in appeal from order denying arbitration, obtaining reversal and order compelling arbitration in construction dispute with condominium owners. Kinsale Ins. Co. v. Georgia-Pacific LLC, 795 F.3d 452 (5th Cir. 2015) Successfully represented policyholder in insurance-coverage case of first impression on application of “insured versus insured” exclusion to pass-through indemnity claims. Baker & McKenzie, LLP v. Evans, 123 So.3d 387 (Miss. 2013) Successfully represented international law firm in appeal of $100 million legal malpractice verdict, the largest malpractice verdict in Mississippi history.
