Michael Bentley is an appellate advocate and class-action litigator who represents clients across the country in high-stakes cases. He has served as lead counsel in over 50 appeals in federal circuit and state appellate courts, and he has defended dozens of class actions in federal courts around the country. His experience spans a wide range of subjects, with a particular focus on constitutional law, healthcare and civil rights litigation, and zoning disputes.
Michael is recognized by Chambers USA, The Best Lawyers in America®, and Benchmark Litigation as one of Mississippi’s top litigators and appellate advocates. He was elected as a Fellow in the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers, a national academy of distinguished appellate lawyers, and has served as president of the Fifth Circuit Bar Association. Michael is frequently tapped to handle important appeals in the Fifth Circuit and the Mississippi Supreme Court, including (most recently) Brookwood Development, LLC v. City of Ridgeland, a constitutional challenge to a city’s zoning laws; Priceline.com LLC v. Fitch, a challenge to Mississippi’s taxation of online travel companies; U.S. ex rel. Aldridge v. Cain, an appeal of a $34 million False Claims Act verdict; and Pinkston v. Kuiper, a constitutional challenge to the involuntary medication of an inmate.
Michael’s class-action experience extends to all phases of litigation, from preliminary motions to strike class allegations through discovery to interlocutory appeals of class-certification orders and class-action trials. He has deep experience advising and defending private correctional healthcare providers facing deliberate indifference claims and class action lawsuits, and is a leading advocate on issues affecting that sector of the healthcare industry, having argued cases of first impression under the Eighth Amendment in the Fourth, Fifth, and Eleventh circuits and numerous federal district courts around the country. Michael successfully tried a six-week federal class-action lawsuit alleging that his client provided inadequate medical and mental healthcare.
Michael clerked for Judge Leslie H. Southwick of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. He is active in bar associations and civic organizations, having served on the boards of the Mississippi Symphony Orchestra, Mississippi Association of Partners in Education, and the Millsaps College Arts & Lecture Series. Before law school, Michael was an aid to Mississippi Gov. Ronnie Musgrove, where he handled legislative affairs and served as the governor’s liaison to county and municipal governments.
Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® "Lawyer of the Year," Jackson, Litigation - Construction, 2023 "Lawyer of the Year," Jackson, Appellate Practice, 2023 Appellate Practice, 2019-2026 Commercial Litigation, 2017-2026 Litigation – Construction, 2019-2026 Litigation – Land Use and Zoning, 2019-2026 Listed in Chambers USA, Litigation: Appellate, 2020-2025 Listed in Mid-South Super Lawyers Appellate, 2020-2025 "Rising Star," Appellate, 2014-2017 Listed in Benchmark Litigation "Under 40 Hot List," 2016-2018 "Future Star," Mississippi, 2015-2016, 2018-2021 "Litigation Star", 2023-2026 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 Mississippi Bar Foundation, Fellow, 2025 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.
