Top Attorney – Chuck McRae

Chuck McRae came from humble beginnings in Pascagoula MS and was orphaned at 15 when his mother and father died within three years of each other. He worked his way through college, living in the attic of his fraternity house and enjoying the kindness of girlfriends who smuggled him food from the cafeteria.

An unconventional jurist, McRae, from his earliest days on the bench, wrote decisions that nudged the state towards the gentler tort law that favored the working people he knew so well. His rulings helped overturn some of the corporations’ favorite defenses against lawsuits, and he advocated for the liberal application of the state’s workers’ compensation laws.

​McRae shook up the local business scene with a controversial decision allowing mass tort lawsuits in Mississippi, sparking anger from big corporations, especially tobacco giants. The tobacco industry’s frustration peaked when the Mississippi Supreme Court overturned parts of a law shielding them from smoker lawsuits. McRae, known for his bold fashion choices and love for speed on his Harley-Davidson, faced near-death while scuba diving in 2017 at age 76. He was seen as a bold figurehead for change by some and public enemy number one by others.

Former State Supreme Court Justice McRae, known for his sharp persuasion skills, could sway even conservative colleagues to support liberal decisions. With a J.D. from Mississippi College School of Law and a B.A. from Marietta College, he has been a prominent figure in the legal community since 1970. Recognized with the Magnolia Bar Foundation award in 2003, McRae’s legacy is defined by giving a voice to the voiceless during his tenure on the bench. Featured on Forbes Magazine cover in Harley leathers, his influence extends far beyond the courtroom.