Daniel Coker’s Post

Daniel Coker Horton & Bell is proud to announce that Shareholder, George E. Abdo, III, has been named “Lawyer of the Year” by Best Lawyers®, which is the oldest and most respected peer-review publication within the legal profession. For over four decades, Best Lawyers® core mission has been to recognize top legal talent in America. George is being recognized for his work in Professional Malpractice Law – Defendants. Congratulations on this well-deserved honor, George!

Daniel Coker is proud to announce that our Firm President, Wilton V. "Trey" Byars, III, has been named “Lawyer of the Year” by Best Lawyers®, which is the oldest and most respected peer-review publication within the legal profession. For over four decades, Best Lawyers® core mission has been to recognize top legal talent in America. Congratulations to Trey Byars for this well-deserved recognition.  

Daniel Coker is proud to announce that Miles Forks, a Shareholder in our Oxford, MS office, has been named as President of the Lafayette County Bar Association for 2024-2025.   The Lafayette County Bar Association is a voluntary bar association which provides members with opportunities to engage on current legal issues through continuing education, key speakers, social activities, and service projects. This organization supports the Mississippi Bar through its advocacy programs and initiatives, as well as promoting civility, cooperation, and high standards of professionalism toward clients, fellow lawyers, the public, and the courts. The Lafayette County Bar Association also encourages and supports pro-bono opportunities through Mississippi Volunteer Lawyers Project, North Mississippi Rural Legal Services, the Pro Bono Initiative, and other local legal service opportunities.

 Daniel Coker is proud to welcome our new Summer Associate, Youssef Kishk, to our Oxford, MS office.   Youssef graduated from the University of Mississippi, where he obtained his B.A. in Political Science and a minor in Sociology with an emphasis in Laws & Courts. During his time at the University of Mississippi, he was named to the Chancellor’s Honor Roll and received the Governor’s Award for Outstanding Junior.    Youssef is a JD candidate at the University of Mississippi School of Law where he is a staff editor of the Mississippi Law Journal and an active member of the Muslim Student Association.    Youssef is fluent in three languages: English, French, and Arabic.   

Daniel Coker is proud to welcome our new Summer Associate, Duncan Jones, to our Oxford, MS office.    Duncan graduated from the University of MS, where he obtained his B.A. in Philosophy with a minor in Psychology in August 2022. He attended the University of Cambridge in Summer 2023, through the University of MS Study Abroad Program. Duncan is currently a Juris Doctor Candidate expected to graduate from the University of MS, School of Law, in May 2025.    Duncan currently serves as the Associate Cases Editor for the Mississippi Law Journal. He is an active member of the Entertainment & Sports Law Society and the Student Bar Association. He is also a recipient of the Dean’s Scholarship. Duncan has an article set to be published in the next issue of the MS Sports Law Review entitled, “Reassessing the Economic and Schematic Role of Running Backs in the National Football League: Abolishing the Franchise Tag and Advocating for a Separate Bargaining Unit.” In his spare time, he volunteers at various church activities such as chaperoning youth trips, facilitating Bible studies & small groups, and counseling youth members. He also enjoys playing golf, basketball, pickle ball, and running in Lamar Park. He has previously served as a Camp Counselor and Senior Staff Member at Strong River Camp & Farm & Alpine Camp for Boys.

Daniel Coker is proud to welcome Anna Grace Bolen as an Associate in our Madison, MS office.   Anna Grace graduated magna cum laude, with a B.S. in Integrated Marketing Communications from the University of Mississippi in 2020, and obtained her Juris Doctor, cum laude, from the University of Mississippi School of Law in December 2023. While at the University of Mississippi, she served as Class Senator and Director of Student Organizations. She was also an active member of St. Thomas More Catholic Legal Society and is a founding member of the Federal Bar Association, Student Chapter, in which she served as Secretary. She was also a member of the Student Chapter of the Young Lawyers Division of the Mississippi Bar. Anna Grace was also awarded the Mississippi Valley Title Insurance Company/George Payne Cossar, Sr. Scholarship.    Anna Grace’s prior experience includes an externship with the MS Third Circuit Court District Attorney’s Office, where she obtained a limited license to practice law and participated in legal proceedings related to various criminal matters. Anna Grace completed two legal internships at the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office during her first two years of law school. She was later employed as a Summer Associate with Daniel Coker in 2023, and after demonstrating exemplary performance, we are thrilled to have her join our firm.    Anna Grace is a member of the MS Bar Association, and has been admitted to all MS State Courts, the US District Court for the Northern District of MS, and the US District Court for the Southern District of MS.

Attorneys (pictured from left) Lauren Ward, Tamara McGee, and Morgan Hart were recently photographed while enjoying Junior Auxiliary of Oxford’s Annual Charity Ball on May 4, 2024. Daniel Coker served as a proud sponsor of this year’s “Spring Fling” fundraising event.    Junior Auxiliary of Oxford is one of nearly 100 National Association of Junior Auxiliary Chapters located throughout the Southeast United States. Junior Auxiliary focuses their efforts on helping children and making a difference in their lives. The organization provides women with the opportunity to serve as a vital part of their local communities in meaningful and worthwhile ways. Daniel Coker Attorneys Lauren Ward and Morgan Hart are currently active members of the organization, while Shareholder Julia Jimenez, former President of the Oxford JA Chapter, is a Life Member. THE JUNIOR AUXILIARY OF OXFORD MISSISSIPPI INC NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF JUNIOR AUXILIARIES, INC.  

Attorneys (pictured from left) George Abdo, Lauren Ward, Morgan Hart, Miles Forks, and Robert Stacy were photographed enjoying time on Daniel Coker's office balcony during the 27th Annual Double Decker Festival in Oxford, MS on April 27, 2024. Originally inspired by the Double Decker bus that Oxford imported from England in 1994, the festival showcases Oxford as a town that supports the arts and has grown to be one of the champion events in the region and now boasts a crowd of more than 60,000 visitors each year. #oxfordms #doubledecker

Happy Presidents' Day from our team at Daniel Coker! Today, we honor the leaders who helped shape our nation with their wisdom, integrity, and dedication to justice. As we celebrate their legacies, we're reminded of the enduring principles that guide us in our pursuit of fairness and equality under the law. At Daniel Coker, we're committed to upholding the ideals that have defined our great nation since its founding. Our team of legal professionals continues to strive for excellence, providing steadfast support and representation to all of our clients. On this Presidents' Day, let us reflect on the importance of the rule of law and the profound impact it has on our society. As we look to the future, let us remain steadfast in our commitment to justice, equality, and the principles that make America truly exceptional. Wishing you a meaningful and reflective Presidents' Day from all of us at Daniel Coker! #LegalExcellence #JusticeForAll #PresidentsDay #danielcoker