William E. "Bill" Whitfield III, Personal Injury Attorney in Gulfport, Mississippi
Gulfport, MS
Trusted personal injury attorney serving Gulfport.
Practices in
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Quick answer
William E. "Bill" Whitfield III is an attorney based in Gulfport, MISSISSIPPI. The practice focuses on Personal Injury.
- Based in
- Gulfport, MISSISSIPPI
- Experience
- attorney
- Known for
- Personal Injury
- Handles Personal Injury matters from Gulfport, MISSISSIPPI.
- Recognized with Lawyer of the Year — Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants (Gulfport) (2016).
About William E. "Bill" Whitfield III: William E. "Bill" Whitfield III is an attorney based in Gulfport, MISSISSIPPI. The practice focuses on Personal Injury.
Areas of practice
Practice areas handled by William E. "Bill" Whitfield III
William concentrates on personal injury. Each area below outlines the kind of case William handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.
Personal Injury cases in Gulfport, Mississippi
William takes personal injury matters in Gulfport, Mississippi. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before William agrees to represent you.
Biography
About William E. "Bill" Whitfield III — Attorney of Mississippi personal injury experience
William E. "Bill" Whitfield III is an attorney based in Gulfport, MISSISSIPPI. The practice focuses on Personal Injury.
GENERALWilliam Earnest Whitfield, III2449 Summerwood Circle (Home)
Gulfport, MS 39507
(228) 896-6933
Copeland, Cook, Taylor & Bush, P.A. (Office)
2781 C.T. Switzer Sr. Drive, Suite 200
Biloxi, Mississippi 39531
P.O. Box 10
Gulfport, Mississippi 39502
228.863.6101 (Switchboard)
228.867.0827 (Direct/Secretary)FAMILY
Wife - Anita Robertson Whitfield (married in 1979)
Children: Stacey R. Whitfield (20)
W. E. Whitfield IV (16)
W. M. Whitfield (11)
EDUCATIONUniversity of Mobile - B.A. (History-Division Award) 1977
Mississippi College School of Law - JD 1981PUBLICATIONS
Mississippi College Law Review, Mississippi College School of Law - Spring 1992
"Mississippi Medical Privilege: Blessing or Curse"
The Profile-Mississippi Association of Legal Secretaries - Spring 1994
"Conflicts of Law"
Crowd Management - October/December 1996
"Legal Liability in Crowd Management"
The MDLA Quarterly (December 2003)
"Fictitious Parties and Amendments Joining a Party under Mississippi Civil Procedure Rule 9(h) and 15(c)"
The MDLA Quarterly (March 2004)
"Automatic Liability of Insurance Carriers for Excess Judgments? The Real Meaning of Home v. Miss. Ins. Guaranty Association"
The MDLA Quarterly (Winter 2005)
"Katrina: The Face Only a Mother Could Love"
The MDLA Quarterly (Summer 2007)
"Federal Court Predicts Mississippi Supreme Court Would Adopt a ‘Continuous Trigger’ Theory in Context of Damage Caused by Faulty Construction Work"
The MDLA Quarterly (Spring 2008)
"Fictitious Parties and Amendments Joining a Party under Mississippi Civil Procedure Rule 9(h) and 15 - Revisited"
HONORSUniversity of Mobile - Division Award in History (1977)
Mississippi College School of Law - Law Review (1978-1980)
Associate Staff Member (1978-1979)
Executive Editor (1979-1980)
Am Jur Award in Trusts (1979)
Mississippi College School of Law - Honor Council
Member - Justice (1978-1979)
Chief Justice (1979-1980)
Delta Theta Phi Legal Fraternity - President (1978-1979)
Outstanding Young Men of America (1980 and 1983)
Harrison County Young Lawyers - President (1988-1989)
University if Mobile - Alumni of the Year Award (1995)
Gulf Coast Association of Legal Support Professionals - Boss of the Year (2009)
Mississippi Defense Lawyers Association (MDLA)
Board of Directors (2000-2003)
Officer - Secretary/Treasurer (2003-2005)
President Elect (2005-2006)
President (2006-2007)
Editorial Board (2008-2009)
Defense Research Institute (DRI)
State Representative (2007-2009)
Exceptional Service Award (2006)
Martindale Hubbell (National Directory of Lawyers) - AV RatedBest Lawyers in America (2006-2008)
- AV RatedBest Lawyers in America (2006-2008)Madisons’ Who’s Who (2007)
Gulf Coast Assoc. Legal Support Professionals
"Boss of the Year" (2009)
PROFESSIONAL ADMISSIONS
Alabama State Bar Association - 1981
(Supreme Court Admission)
Mississippi State Bar Association - 1982
(Supreme Court Admission)
United States Supreme Court - 1998
Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals - 1984
U.S. District Court/Southern District of Mississippi - 1983
U.S. District Court/Southern District of Alabama - 1991
(Also member of the Bar of the U.S. District Courts: Middle District Alabama; Northern District of Alabama; Northern District of Mississippi)
LAW PRACTICE
United States District Court Law Clerk 1981-1983 (Magistrate John M. Roper)
Biloxi, Mississippi
Bryant Dukes & Blakeslee Associate 1983-1987
Gulfport, Mississippi Partner 1987-2008
Copeland, Cook, Taylor & Bush, P.A.
(successor to Bryant Dukes & Blakeslee)
Gulfport, Mississippi Shareholder 2008-Present
Working with William on a personal injury matter
GENERALWilliam Earnest Whitfield, III2449 Summerwood Circle (Home) Gulfport, MS 39507 (228) 896-6933 Copeland, Cook, Taylor & Bush, P.A. (Office) 2781 C.T. Switzer Sr. Drive, Suite 200 Biloxi, Mississippi 39531 P.O. Box 10 Gulfport, Mississippi 39502 228.863.6101 (Switchboard) 228.867.0827 (Direct/Secretary)FAMILY Wife - Anita Robertson Whitfield (married in 1979) Children: Stacey R. Whitfield…
Clients William works with
William reviews new inquiries case-by-case for personal injury matters in Gulfport and the surrounding Mississippi area.
Credentials
William E. "Bill" Whitfield III's legal education and bar admissions
Mississippi College
J.D. · 1982
William studied at J.D. in Mississippi College.
Law school and academic background
William completed J.D. in Mississippi College. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice William runs in Mississippi is where that training gets applied to real client questions.
Recognition
Awards, publications, and recognition of William E. "Bill" Whitfield III
William has received 13 formal recognitions from bar associations, industry bodies, and peer-review services.
Lawyer of the Year — Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants (Gulfport)
2016
Best Lawyers in America — Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice:
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Personal Injury Litigation
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Special Focus:
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Civil Litigation
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Insurance
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Medical Malpractice
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Nursing Homes
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Premises Liability
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Product Liability
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Professional Malpractice
2026
Best Lawyers in America — Wrongful Death
2026
Legal awards and honors
Lawyer of the Year — Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants (Gulfport) (2016). Best Lawyers in America — Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants (2026). Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice: (2026). Best Lawyers in America — Personal Injury Litigation (2026). Best Lawyers in America — Special Focus: (2026). Best Lawyers in America — Civil Litigation (2026).
Locations
William E. "Bill" Whitfield III's office in Gulfport
William's primary office is at 200 East Beach Boulevard, Building Five, Gulfport, Mississippi, 39507. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.
Client feedback
Client reviews of William E. "Bill" Whitfield III
William has not yet collected verified client reviews on LawyersListed. Reviews here are all from confirmed clients; anonymous ratings are moderated out.
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Schedule your consultationHiring guide
How to hire William E. "Bill" Whitfield III — what to expect in your first consultation
Working with a new personal injury attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with William usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.
Consultation formats and pricing
William charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain William's office.
What to bring to your first meeting
Bring any documents you already have — police reports, medical records, filed pleadings, correspondence from an insurer, a copy of the contract at issue. If you're not sure, err on the side of bringing everything; William will tell you what matters and what doesn't.
Questions to ask a personal injury attorney in Gulfport, Mississippi
A short list to run through before you commit: How many personal injury matters have you handled in the last year? What's your fee structure? Who else in the office will work on this? What's your realistic estimate of timeline and range of outcomes? How do I reach you between meetings?
Fees & payment
Fees, payment methods, and consultation options for William
William discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in personal injury practice — ask which fits.
Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options
Every personal injury matter is priced differently. Simple document review might be a flat fee. Injury litigation is often contingency. Complex commercial disputes usually run hourly with a retainer. William confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.
Payment methods and payment plans
William's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many personal injury practices work with clients on structured schedules.
Frequently asked
Frequently asked questions about William E. "Bill" Whitfield III
How much does it cost to hire William for a personal injury case?
Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. William walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.
Does William offer a free consultation?
William charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain William's office. Some personal injury attorneys offer free consults — check William's current terms during booking.
How long do personal injury cases in Mississippi typically take?
Simple personal injury matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. William gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.
Can William take my case if I'm outside Gulfport?
William is licensed in Mississippi. Matters governed by Mississippi law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — William will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.
What should I bring to my first meeting with William?
Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. William will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.
Is William accepting new personal injury clients right now?
William's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.
Areas served
Personal Injury attorneys serving Gulfport, Jackson and Ridgeland in Mississippi
William handles personal injury matters throughout Mississippi. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified personal injury attorneys in that community.
More counsel
Other top-rated personal injury attorneys in Mississippi
If William's intake is full or the fit isn't right, these personal injury attorneys in Gulfport handle similar matters. Every profile below is verified and open to consultations.
