MLRI was established by the University Board of Trustees at the University of Mississippi Law School in 1972 on the recommendations of Dean Parham H. Williams, Jr. and Chancellor Porter L. Fortune, Jr. The Mississippi Legislature began funding the Institute by special appropriations in 1979 and established it by statute in 1983 (Sec. 57-55-5, Miss. Code).
The research projects conducted by MLRI are divided into three areas: governmental law research and reform, intellectual property research and coastal, marine and natural resources law research. These projects are fielded by MLRI’s eight attorneys. Expertise of law school faculty members is available if needed.
MLRI also houses Sea Grant law research programs and its three attorneys, who focus on research and outreach relating to coastal, marine and natural resources issues. In addition to general research in these areas, Sea Grant publishes numerous online and print periodicals.
Staff
View the MLRI Organizational Chart
Will Wilkins
Director
Email: Will Wilkins
Carol Bullard
Business Analyst
Email: Carol Bullard
Jerry Patton
Senior Research Counsel
Email: Jerry Patton
Cotton Ruthven
Senior Research Counsel
Email: Cotton Ruthven
A. Meaghin Burke
Senior Research Counsel
Email: A. Meaghin Burke
Bill Hooper
Retired in June, 2006
Email: Bill Hooper
Stephanie Showalter
Director
National Sea Grant Law Center
Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Legal Program
Email: Stephanie Showalter
Terra Bowling
Senior Research Counsel
National Sea Grant Law Center
Email: Terra Bowling
Catherine Janasie
Senior Research Counsel
National Sea Grant Law Center
Email: Catherine Janasie
Kristina Alexander
Senior Research Counsel
Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Legal Program
Email: Kristina Alexander
Stephen Deal
Extension Specialist in Land Use Planning
Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Legal Program
Email: Stephen Deal
Barry Barnes
Web Developer
National Sea Grant Law Center
Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Legal Program
Email: Barry Barnes