Michael Bentley

Background

About Michael Bentley

I am a litigator in the Jackson, Mississippi office of Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP. My practice focuses on appeals and complex litigation, with an emphasis on constitutional law, zoning and land-use litigation, healthcare litigation, and tort and commercial disputes. I regularly serve as lead appellate counsel in high-stakes litigation, from trial — where I assist in developing legal strategy, draft and argue critical motions, and advise on error-preservation — through appeal. I've argued appeals around the country, and I appear regularly in the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and the Mississippi Supreme Court. In addition to my appellate and general litigation work, I have extensive experience in healthcare litigation, including defense of private correctional healthcare providers operating in state prison systems. I served as lead defense counsel on medical and mental healthcare claims in Dockery v. Hall, a six-week, federal class action trial that resulted in a defense judgment. I've also handled numerous appeals on issues of first impression under the Eighth Amendment's "cruel and unusual punishments" clause and the "deliberate indifference" standard. I am honored to be a fellow in the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers. Prior to joining Bradley, I clerked for Judge Leslie H. Southwick at the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. I learned from my grandfather - a solo practitioner in Meridian, Mississippi - that pro bono work and civic involvement are rightfully expected of all attorneys. I make time in my practice to represent clients through organizations such as the Mississippi Center for Justice, Southern Poverty Law Center, and the Mississippi Volunteer Lawyers Project. And I try to give back to my community through bar organizations and non-profit service.