Bradley Strengthens Jackson Office with Addition of Five Partners
Bradley continues the growth of its Jackson office with the addition of Tax and Trusts & Estates partner Clark C. Luke and Real Estate and Banking & Financial Services partners M. Binford “Ben” Williams Jr., Roger W. Williams, Molly Jeffcoat Moody, and R. Benson “Ben” Ford. The five attorneys, who all join from Watkins & Eager, are leading practitioners in their fields and will significantly expand the firm’s real estate, finance, and private wealth capabilities in Mississippi and throughout the region.
“This is an exciting moment for our Jackson office and for Bradley as a whole, as we add this exceptional group of lateral partners while also celebrating the 25th anniversary of our Jackson office,” said Bradley Jackson Office Managing Partner Margaret Oertling Cupples. “Clark, Molly, Ben, Roger, and Ben are highly respected leaders with deep client relationships. Their arrival, along with Mary Clay Morgan’s recent return, realizes one of our key strategic priorities to expand our non-litigation capabilities in Jackson. This team brings the depth and business connections that will help us continue to grow and serve our clients across Mississippi and beyond.”
Bradley’s Jackson office, established in 2001 as the firm’s first expansion outside of Alabama, has grown into a cornerstone of the firm’s presence in the region. With more than 40 attorneys, the office is widely recognized for its strengths in litigation and corporate law, and its continued growth enhances the firm’s position as one of the leading law firms in Mississippi.
Clark Luke concentrates his practice on estate planning and administration for high-net-worth individuals, transactional tax matters, corporate law, and mergers and acquisitions. He was elected a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel in 2023. He has been recognized in Mid-South Rising Stars for more than 10 years and has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America since 2018 and was named the publication’s 2026 “Lawyer of the Year” in Jackson for Elder Law and 2025 “Lawyer of the Year” for both Trust & Estates and Closely-Held Companies and Family Business Law. Mr. Luke also has been ranked in the Chambers High Net Worth Guide in Mississippi for Private Wealth Law since 2020. He received his J.D., cum laude, from the University of Mississippi School of Law; a Bachelor of Accountancy, and Master of Taxation, both cum laude, from the University of Mississippi; and an LL.M. (Taxation) from the University of Florida College of Law. Mr. Luke is also a Certified Public Accountant.
Ben Williams brings more than 35 years of experience handling complex commercial transactions, including sophisticated financing structures, M&A, and general corporate matters. He regularly serves as outside general counsel to companies across multiple industries and previously served as co-leader of his firm’s commercial lending and finance practice. He is ranked in Chambers USA for Real Estate and Corporate/Commercial: Banking & Finance. He also has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America since 2007 and was named the publication’s 2026 “Lawyer of the Year” in Jackson for Corporate Governance Law. Mr. Williams earned his J.D. from the University of Mississippi School of Law and his M.B.A. and bachelor’s degree from the University of Mississippi.
Roger Williams concentrates his practice on real estate development and transactions, with an emphasis on multifamily and large commercial projects. He regularly represents borrowers in connection with loans under Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and HUD/FHA loan programs and advises lenders in all aspects of commercial real estate transactions. He is ranked in Chambers USA for Real Estate and has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America since 2009, including being named the publication’s 2026 “Lawyer of the Year” in Jackson for Real Estate Law. Mr. Williams earned his J.D. from the University of Mississippi School of Law and his bachelor’s degree from the University of Mississippi.
Molly Moody focuses her practice on secured lending and finance transactions, with an emphasis on construction and complex real estate development. She regularly represents both borrowers and lenders in commercial loan transactions and advises developers throughout all phases of real estate projects. Ms. Moody is a Fellow of the American College of Real Estate Lawyers and is ranked in Chambers USA for Real Estate and Corporate/Commercial: Banking & Finance. She also has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America since 2016 and was named the publication’s 2026 “Lawyer of the Year” in Jackson for Banking & Finance Law. Ms. Moody received her J.D., summa cum laude, from the University of Mississippi School of Law and her B.A. and B.B.A., magna cum laude, from Millsaps College.
Ben Ford focuses his practice on commercial lending, finance, real estate, and mergers and acquisitions law. He works extensively with lenders and commercial developers in the acquisition and sale of commercial real estate, construction projects and commercial lending. He has been recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch since 2021 for Banking & Finance Law, Land Use & Zoning Law, and Mergers & Acquisitions Law. Mr. Ford received his J.D., magna cum laude, from the University of Mississippi School of Law and his B.A., summa cum laude, in Business Administration from Mississippi State University.
Bradley’s Real Estate Practice Group serves every sector of the real estate industry, advising clients on acquisitions, financing, lending, leasing, construction, regulatory, tax, and more. The team handles complex, multimillion-dollar projects for large institutions as well as ongoing transactions for clients whose primary businesses are real estate investment and development.
Bradley’s Banking & Financial Services Practice Group counsels finance clients on their unique and particularly complex legal needs, including those pertaining to litigation, regulations and compliance, and other corporate matters. Representing a broad range of banks, lenders, and financial services institutions across the United States, the group’s attorneys provide experienced, proactive guidance on a broad spectrum of legal issues, including regulatory compliance, governmental investigations, risk assessments, audit and exam support, business transactions, litigation, and multi-state settlements.
Bradley’s Tax Practice Group offers a broad range of services covering all aspects of federal, state, and local taxation laws for individuals and businesses. The firm’s tax attorneys serve a diverse client base and have direct experience handling unique tax issues in a wide range of industries.
Bradley’s Trusts & Estates Practice Group provides sound and creative advice to individuals and families in structuring estate plans to meet their needs, guiding clients through the maze of estate tax rules to develop estate plans that accomplish both their tax and non-tax goals. Attorneys provide counsel on planning related to business succession, wealth preservation, retirement benefits, beneficiary designation, and work to develop techniques specific to charitable giving and protecting the value of an estate.
