Phelps Announces 2025 Partner Class

Phelps has announced the election of seven lawyers to its partnership for business and litigation support in a region it calls “Gulf South.” The Phelps’ 2025 Mobile partner is E. Barrett Hails (litigation), who counsels businesses in casualty, property and commercial disputes in the marine and transportation industries. His multistate practice in Florida and Alabama equips him to advise vessel owners and marine businesses with operations across the northern Gulf Coast. Hails regularly advocates for clients in federal court in limitation of liability proceedings on behalf of livery operators and clients in the recreational boating sector. He frequently handles maritime products liability, injury and death claims. Hails earned his LL.M in maritime law with merit from the University of Southampton, his JD from the University of Alabama School of Law and his BA from the University of Mississippi. Other 2025 partners include Sean P. Doran (Jackson, Mississippi; business); Anthony J. Gambino, Jr. (Baton Rouge, litigation); Raquel Ramirez Jefferson (Tampa, labor and employment); Lisa M. Kaufmann (Houston, litigation); Molly C. McDiarmid (Baton Rouge, labor and employment); and Kasi G. Schuelke (Dallas/Fort Worth, insurance and reinsurance).