Jamie W. Howell, Jr.

Partner

Jamie W. Howell, Jr. was admitted to the Mississippi Bar in 1988 and the Tennessee Bar in 1993. Mr. Howell is admitted to practice in all courts in Mississippi and Tennessee, including Federal Court, the Fifth and Sixth Circuit Courts of Appeal, and the United States Supreme Court. Mr. Howell's areas of practice include wrongful death, personal injury, criminal defense, Social Security Disability cases, and general civil law. For his first five years of practice, he was an associate attorney with Gilder Law Firm. After spending his next six years as a sole practitioner in DeSoto County, Mr. Howell joined forces with Jefferson D. Gilder to form Gilder & Howell, P.A. in June 2000. He is now a shareholder at Chatham Gilder Howell Pittman, which combined the talents of Gilder & Howell, P.A. and Chatham Pittman, .

Mr. Howell was born on January 16, 1963, in Memphis, Tennessee. He and his wife, Ann, live in Memphis, TN and have two adult children, Ford and Emma. He and his family are members of Independent Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Memphis, Tennessee. Despite his busy schedule, Jim is a sports enthusiast and an avid golfer. He also enjoys Memphis Grizzlies Basketball, college football, and live concerts.

Bar Admissions
Mississippi, 1988
Tennessee, 1993
U.S. District Court Southern District of Mississippi, 1988
U.S. District Court Northern District of Mississippi, 1988
U.S. District Court Western District of Tennessee, 1988
U.S. Bankruptcy Court Northern District of Mississippi
U.S. Bankruptcy Court Southern District of Mississippi
U.S. District Court Middle District of Tennessee
U.S. District Court Eastern District of Tennessee
U.S. Bankruptcy Court Western District of Tennessee
U.S. Bankruptcy Court Middle District of Tennessee
U.S. Bankruptcy Court Eastern District of Tennessee
U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit
U.S. Supreme Court

Education
University of Mississippi School of Law, Oxford, Mississippi
J.D. 1988
University of Mississippi, University, Mississippi
B.A. cum laude 1985
Major: English
He graduated as Salutatorian from Magnolia Heights School in Senatobia, Mississippi in 1981.

Honors and Awards
National Trial Lawyers Recognized as a Top 100 Trial Lawyers in the Mid-South for 2021
The Million Dollar Advocates Forum
Client Champion (Lawyers.com)
American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys 10 Best Attorneys in Mississippi for Client Satisfaction for 2019
American Association for Justice (AAJ) Recognized as an "Advocate" September 24, 2012

Professional Associations and Memberships
American Association for Justice (AAJ), Member
Mississippi Association for Justice (MAJ), Member
Mississippi Bar Association, Member
Tennessee Bar Association, Member
DeSoto County Bar Association, Former Vice-President
Memphis Bar Association

Jefferson D. Gilder

Partner

Jefferson D. Gilder was admitted to the Mississippi and Tennessee Bars in 1990. Mr. Gilder is admitted to practice in all courts in Mississippi and Tennessee including Federal Court, the Fifth and Sixth Circuit Courts of Appeal, and the United States Supreme Court. Mr. Gilder's areas of practice include personal injury, criminal, medical malpractice, civil rights, and product liability. Mr. Gilder spent his first ten years as an attorney practicing with his father, Robert G. (Bob) Gilder, at Gilder Law Firm in Southaven, Mississippi before forming Gilder, Howell & Assoc., P.A. with Jamie W. Howell, Jr. in June of 2000. This firm although as another legal entity has now combined their resources and experience with Chatham Pittman, to form Chatham Gilder Howell Pittman .

Mr. Gilder was born on July 19, 1966, in Vardaman, Calhoun County, Mississippi to Bob and Barbara (Gibson) Gilder. He and his wife, Caroline Reese Gilder, have been married over 25 years and have two daughters, Suzannah and Josephine. Mr. Gilder is a member of the Orchard Church, where he has served one year as a deacon and will have served four years as an elder at the end of 2018. Golf, Ole Miss football, family, and church fill Mr. Gilder's time outside the office.

Mr. Gilder's nickname is Bruiser. The character Rudy from The Rainmaker is believed to be loosely based on Mr. Gilder and a case he handled for a client who was referred to him by John Grisham. The defendants in that case were a sham agency and a life insurance company which sold accidental health insurance. Mr. Grisham chose Jefferson's nickname, a name he was known by in the local bar association, for another character in the novel.

Bar Admissions

Tennessee, 1990
Mississippi, 1990
U.S. District Court Northern District of Mississippi
U.S. District Court Southern District of Mississippi
U.S. District Court Eastern District of Tennessee
U.S. District Court Middle District of Tennessee
U.S. District Court Western District of Tennessee
U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit
U.S. Supreme Court

Education
University of Mississippi School of Law, Oxford, Mississippi
J.D. 1990
University of Mississippi
B.A. magna cum laude 1987
Honors: Member, Phi Kappa Phi
Major: Accountancy
Beta Alpha Psi, Treasurer
Mr. Gilder received his Juris Doctorate in 1990 and his Bachelor of Arts degree in Accountancy in 1987 from the University of Mississippi where he was a member of Phi Kappa Phi and graduated Magna Cum Laude. He graduated from high school at Memphis Preparatory School in Memphis, Tennessee in 1984 as Salutatorian. He had previously attended Whitehaven High School.

Honors and Awards
Super Lawyers 2021
National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Lawyers 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
The Million Dollar Advocates Forum
Top 100, Society of Legal Advocates 2013, 2014
American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys 10 Best, Client Satisfaction Award 2014

Professional Associations and Memberships
American Association for Justice (AAJ), Member
Mississippi Association for Justice (MAJ), Member
Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association
Mississippi Bar Association, Member
Tennessee Bar Association, Member
DeSoto County Bar Association, Member
American Bar Association
Board of Directors at the Orchard Church, Member
Chair and Member of the Finance Team of the elders for 2 years
Community Group, Leader
5 Bible Study Groups, Leader

Steven W. Pittman

Partner

Steven W. Pittman was admitted to the Mississippi and Tennessee Bars in 1995. Mr. Pittman is admitted to practice in all courts in Mississippi and Tennessee including Federal Court, the Fifth and Sixth Circuit Courts of Appeal, and the Federal District Court for Eastern Arkansas. Mr. Pittman's areas of practice include personal injury, criminal defense, medical malpractice, and product liability. Mr. Pittman began the first 6 years of his practice at the law offices of and under the personal guidance of the renowned attorney L. Anthony "Tony" Deal in Memphis, Tennessee. Mr. Pittman opened his own firm In Memphis, Tennessee in 2001 before eventually merging his firm and partnering with his father-in law, Gerald W. Chatham, Sr. in Hernando, Mississippi in 2005. Upon Mr. Chatham's departure from the firm to serve a Circuit Court Judge for the 17th Judicial District in North Mississippi, Mr. Pittman continued the Chatham legacy becoming senior partner working with the up and coming Charles "Nick" Smith as associate and junior partner. Mr. Pittman has been successful in obtaining settlements on behalf of his clients in excess of one million dollars on multiple occasions.

Mr. Pittman was born on June 15, 1967 in Greenville, Mississippi. He and his wife, Camille Chatham Pittman, have three daughters, Amelia, Meriwether, and Eloise. Mr. Pittman is a member of Hernando United Methodist Church. Mr. Pittman has served on the board of directors of various non-profit organizations benefitting North Mississippi and is a founder of the Friend's of the Von Theater and Front Porch Jubilee in Hernando. Mr. Pittman enjoys hunting, golf, playing and writing music, Mississippi State Football, Baseball and Women's Basketball and spending time with his family at home in Hernando.

Bar Admissions
Tennessee, 1995
Mississippi, 1995
U.S. District Court Northern District of Mississippi
U.S. District Court Southern District of Mississippi
U.S. District Court Western District of Tennessee
U.S. District Court Eastern District of Arkansas
U.S. District Court Western District of Arkansas
U.S. Court of Appeals 5th Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals 6th Circuit

Education
Mississippi College School of Law, Jackson, Mississippi
J.D. 1994
Mississippi State University
B.A. 1989

Honors and Awards
National Trial Lawyers Association Top 100 Trial Lawyers
Super Lawyers 2015, 2016, 2020
Mid-South Super Lawyers for 2020 in the area of Personal Injury Plaintiff
Top Lawyer Lifetime Achievement Award Who's Who
The Million Dollar Advocates Forum Invitation
10 Best (Mississippi) Category American Institute of DUI/DWI Attorneys.

Professional Associations and Memberships
DeSoto County Bar Association
Mississippi Bar Association
American Bar Association
American Association for Justice (AAJ), Member
Mississippi Association for Justice (MAJ), Member
Tennessee Trial Lawyers Association

Charles Nicholas Smith

Partner

Nick Smith is admitted to practice in state courts in Mississippi and Tennessee. He is admitted to practice in the U.S. District Court Northern District of Mississippi. Mr. Smith's areas of practice include personal injury, criminal defense, civil litigation including contract disputes and actions under the Fair Debt Collections Act and Fair Credit Reporting Act. Mr. Smith was hired in 2010 at the Chatham Pittman Law Firm and is now a partner at Chatham Gilder Howell Pittman .

Nick Smith grew up in Tate County, Mississippi, where he attended Senatobia High School and went on to continue his education at Northwest Mississippi Community College. He finished his undergraduate studies at The University of Mississippi. Following graduation, he worked as a deputy clerk in the Tate County Chancery Clerk's Office for his grandfather Wayne Crockett. He then attended Law School at Mississippi College School of Law.

While in law school Mr. Smith interned at the District Attorney's office serving Tate, Panola, DeSoto, Yalobusha, and Tallahatchie Counties of the 17th Judicial District. Mr. Smith graduated law school in 2009. Following law school, Mr. Smith returned home to Senatobia. In June of 2013 Mr. Smith began serving as the Municipal Judge for the City of Senatobia. Mr. Smith has served as the President for the Northwest Mississippi Young Lawyers Division and currently serves Panola County Mississippi as one of the County's Public Defenders. Mr. Smith's litigation experience includes trial work in Municipal Courts, Circuit and Chancery Courts, and Federal Court.

Bar Admissions
Mississippi, 2010
Tennessee, 2011
U.S. District Court Northern District of Mississippi

Education
Mississippi College School of Law, Jackson, Mississippi
J.D. 2009
University of Mississippi, Oxford, Mississippi
B.A. 2005
Major: English

Professional Associations and Memberships
American Bar Association (ABA)
North Mississippi Young Lawyers
Desoto County Bar Association

Past Employment Positions
District Attorney's Office of the 17th Judicial District, Extern, 2008