The Biloxi, Mississippi law firm of Reeves & Mestayer, PLLC is dedicated to helping everyday people and businesses who have been hurt by the negligence of other. We believe that you deserve the same quality representation as than the large multi-national corporations and insurance companies you are up against, or better.
Our firm’s partners have years of courtroom and trial experience. We always prepare to go to trial, even if it does not become necessary to do so. Our lawyers are imaginative, persistent, and extremely dedicated. We believe in working together and drawing on each other’s strengths and insights.
Matthew G. Mestayer, born in Pascagoula, Mississippi in 1967. He obtained his undergraduate degree from Springhill College in 1990 in International Business. Mr. Mestayer then attended University of Mississippi Law School where he graduated in 1993.
Upon graduation, Mr. Mestayer, like many lawyers, started his career representing corporations. However, he quickly realized that, he had much more sympathy for hurt indivduals and began to develop a plaintiffs practice.
In 1999, Mr. Mestayer was appointed the Municipal Judge of Ocean Springs and he maintains that position currently. While the City Judge of Ocean Springs, Mr. Mestayer has heard literally thousands of cases involving all types of matters. Furthermore, Mr. Mestayer has been recognized for his work with victims of domestic violence and has received in 2004 the Gulf Coast Womens Center For Non-Violence Judicial Award.
Jim Reeves was born in Mobile, Alabama, in 1965. He obtained his undergraduate degree with honors from the University of South Alabama in 1989. Mr. Reeves then attended Tulane University Law School where he graduated cum laude in 1992.
Upon graduation, he began his career working with a large law firm representing large corporations and insurance companies. Mr. Reeves quickly rose through the ranks of the firm and became a partner in less than five years.
With extensive experience under her belt, Leilani Tynes, the newest addition to the Reeves & Mestayer team, is a skilled criminal defense attorney who is dedicated to making sure those facing criminal charges get fair treatment, protecting the rights and freedoms of those she represents.
Leilani graduated from the University of Mississippi School of Law in 2000, where she served as Vice-Chairman of the Moot Court Board, was a member of the National Moot Court Competition Team, and was a member of the Saul Leftkowitz Competition Team, just to name a few credentials. Since then, Leilani has spent time honing her criminal defense skills serving as assistant district attorney in the Third and Nineteenth Circuit Court Districts, and serving as prosecutor for the City of Ocean Springs.
During her tenure as assistant district attorney, Leilani handled thousands of cases involving drugs, violent crimes, sex crimes, computer crimes, and crimes against children. She also served as Drug Court prosecutor and as a member of the Human Trafficking Taskforce.
Leilani is passionate about criminal defense because every person accused of a crime is innocent until proven guilty. With extensive court room experience she knows what prosecutors are thinking and knows how to fight for the rights of her clients, producing highly favorable results.
Robyn R. Cannon | Gardberg, Clausen, & Kemmerly, P.C. | Mobile//
Robyn grew up in Florence, Alabama, and graduated from Central High School. Robyn then attended Auburn University where she was a Dean’s List student and earned a Bachelor of Science in Poultry Science. Upon graduation from Auburn University in 2007, Robyn worked as a Human Resources Management Trainee for Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation in Athens, Alabama.
Robyn then attended law school at Faulkner University, Thomas Good Jones School of Law where she graduated summa cum laude as Walter J. Knabe Scholarship recipient in 2011. Robyn was named to the Dean’s List each semester of law school, earned eight top grade awards, and was named as a Public Interest Fellow. While in law school, Robyn served as the Executive Editor of the Faulkner Law Review, as a Board Member of the Board of Advocates, and as a Senior Member of the Women’s Legal Society. During her second and third years of law school, Robyn worked as a Legal Research Assistant to Professor Chad Emerson. Robyn also worked as a law clerk for the Alabama Attorney General’s Office in both the Opinions Division and the General Civil/Administrative Division. In her third year of law school, Robyn had the privilege of serving the Honorable W. Keith Watkins of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama as a legal extern.
After graduating from law school and passing the Alabama Bar Exam, Robyn moved to Mobile, Alabama, where she accepted an associate attorney position practicing personal injury law with Jackson, Foster & Richardson, LLC. For the next two years, Robyn helped clients who were victims of automobile collisions, slip and falls, medical malpractice, fraud, defective consumer products, and defective prescription drugs. Robyn joined Gardberg, Clausen & Kemmerly, PC as an Associate Attorney in the Veteran’s Disability department in October of 2013.
Areas of Practice
- Veteran’s Disability
- Social Security Disability
Dianne Herman Ellis is the managing partner at the Ellis Law Firm and practices in the fields of family law and criminal defense. Dianne understands that a divorce or any threat regarding the custody of a child is the most important event in a parent’s life, she understands that the fear of a false arrest and conviction can threaten the very core of a person’s being, and she believes that everyone deserves a strong legal team. The Ellis Law Firm, PLLC strives to provide you with that strong team. We have committed, dedicated, hardworking attorneys and a strong support staff. We have an answering service so that we are available to you in an emergency.
In the field of family law, Dianne practices adoption law, divorce, custody, guardianships, third-party custody, termination of parental rights, separate maintenance, youth court actions, and other family matters. Dianne is ready and willing to fight for your child and for your rights as a parent. Dianne believes that every child deserves to grow up in a safe and loving home, and she will help you fight for custody of a child if the child’s parents refuse to provide or are unable to provide that safe and loving home. Dianne understands that a divorce can destroy everything you have spent your life building, and she will work to help you protect your rights and your life’s work.
Dianne represents both mothers and fathers in custody disputes and firmly believes that the gender of the parent is, and should be, irrelevant in custody decisions. She supports the rights of both parents to have a strong relationship with a child, and believes that this is best for the child, as well. Dianne supports the rights of same sex couples and other non-traditional families and is proud and honored to have been allowed to serve on the team of attorneys who represented the Plaintiffs in the landmark case of Campaign for Southern Equality, et. al. v Bryant, et. al., setting aside the ban on gay marriage in Mississippi.