Seasoned Appellate Litigator and Long-Time Legal Educator Rejoins Adams & Reese

Seasoned litigator Deborah Challener has rejoined Adams & Reese as Counsel in the firm’s Jackson, Mississippi office. This addition marks Challener’s return to the Litigation Practice Group, where she previously built a strong reputation in appellate advocacy and complex litigation matters.

“We are delighted to welcome Deborah back to Adams & Reese. She was a vital member of our litigation team, and her return strengthens us in every respect,” said Jeff Trotter, Partner and Litigation Practice Group Leader at Adams & Reese. “Deborah brings a rare combination of deep appellate litigation skill and a command of civil procedure, honed through her years as a law professor and hands-on practice. We are confident she will make an immediate and lasting impact on our team and our clients.”

At Adams & Reese, Challener has defended commercial clients and school districts in all aspects of pre-trial and appellate litigation, including briefing and oral arguments before the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, the Mississippi Supreme Court, and the Mississippi Court of Appeals. Within the firm’s Litigation Practice, she is valued for her collaborative approach to litigation strategy and her ability to translate intricate legal issues into clear, persuasive advocacy on behalf of clients. “Returning to Adams & Reese feels like coming home. The colleagues and culture here are truly exceptional, and I’m thrilled to be back,” said Challener.

In addition to her legal practice, Challener distinguished herself as a prominent legal educator at Mississippi College School of Law, where she served as the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and taught Civil Procedure I and II, Conflict of Laws, Federal Courts, Complex Litigation, and Removal Jurisdiction. She won numerous teaching awards, including Professor of the Year, and received the “Outstanding Woman Lawyer Award” from the Mississippi Women Lawyers Association in 2022.

With a practice shaped by both hands-on courtroom experience and years of scholarly focus on civil procedure and multifaceted litigation, she offers clients a distinctive edge in even the most challenging matters. “My years teaching and studying legal issues combined with my practice experience will allow me to help the firm’s clients navigate even the most complex appellate and litigation challenges with clarity and confidence,” said Challener.

Challener currently serves as Co-Chair of the ABA Appellate Practice Committee and is a member of the Fifth Circuit Bar Association’s programming committee. She also serves on the Executive Committees of the Mississippi Bar’s Appellate Practice and Women-in-the-Profession sections and contributes articles to the Capital Area Bar Association’s newsletter. She is also the author of several law review articles and the venue chapter in Mississippi’s Civil Procedure treatise.