Clarence Webster, III

Clarence represents clients in a broad range of complex commercial, product liability, mass tort, and other high-stakes litigation in federal and state trial and appellate courts across the country. His extensive experience in numerous industries and legal disciplines has given him the perspective necessary to help clients identify their most pressing legal and business issues, develop and implement effective resolution strategies, and achieve their core goals.

Among other sectors, Clarence has represented clients in the energy, financial services, manufacturing, and real estate industries. His clients also include municipalities, government entities, and not-for-profit organizations.

Clarence has significant experience defending employers in disputes involving claims of discrimination, retaliation, and violations of noncompete agreements. He has represented financial services institutions in Truth in Lending Act (TILA), Home Affordable Modification Program (HAMP), and other regulatory compliance matters. He has also represented oil and gas companies in litigation and settlement negotiations alleging violations of federal and state environmental laws.

In addition to serving as first-chair trial counsel, Clarence has served as lead attorney defending major class action claims and as a member of a national coordinating counsel team. Drawing on his experience as outside counsel and de facto in-house counsel, Clarence understands the priorities and pressures facing his clients and works closely with them to identify potential issues and prevent problems so that they can refocus attention and resources on their primary business objectives. In this context, Clarence regularly provides litigation-avoidance counsel and training, helping clients review labor and employment policies and handbooks, draft corporate bylaws, ensure effective board governance, and review employee, vendor, and other key contracts.

A former adjunct professor at the Mississippi College School of Law, Clarence has taught classes on legal analysis and appellate advocacy. Before entering private practice, he served a clerkship with Chief Judge Henry T. Wingate of the US District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi.                        

Noteworthy

• AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rating in Martindale-Hubbell
• Mid-South Super Lawyers, Class Action/Mass Torts, Litigation (2013–2021), Top 50 “Super Lawyers” Mississippi (2018), “Rising Star,” Class Action/Mass Torts, Litigation (2012)
• Mississippi Bar Convention, Outstanding Young Lawyer Award (2016)
• Mississippi Business Journal, Top 50 Under 40 (2019), Leaders in Law (2018)
• Portico Jackson, Portico 10 (2016)

Presentations

• "The Shark Whisperer - Dealing with Difficult Opposing Counsel," International Association of Defense Webinar, February 2, 2022

Memberships

• American Bar Association, Fellows of the ABA
• Capital Area Bar Association, president (2021–2022), vice president (2020–2021), secretary-treasurer (2019–2020), director (2017–2019)
• Central Mississippi Down Syndrome Society Board of Directors
• Century Club Charities
• Defense Research Institute
• International Association of Defense Counsel
• Jackson Young Lawyers, Athletic Committee (past chair), board member
• Leadership Jackson, Class of 2010–2011
• Magnolia Bar Association, Membership (past chair)
• Mississippi Bar Association, Complaint Tribunal, Litigation Section (chair, 2018–2019), Ethics Committee, Young Lawyers Division (past director and chair, member of Mock Trial, Pro Bono, Disaster Relief (Central Region), Seminars, Nominating, Public Service and Strategic Planning committees)
• Mississippi Lawyer, editor
• Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame Board of Directors
• Phoenix Club of Jackson
• Rotary Club of Jackson
• University of Mississippi Alumni Association, Executive Committee
• 100 Black Men of Jackson