Law Office Of Tommy Defer Receives Spotlight Award
PROTECTED CONTENT
If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.
Username and Password Help
Please enter your email and we will send your username and password to you.
The Water Valley Area Chamber of Commerce presented the Business Spotlight Award to attorneys Tommy Defer and Will Phillips Monday afternoon.
WATER VALLEY – The Law Office of Tommy W. Defer, PLLC was presented the Business Spotlight Award by the Water Valley Area Chamber of Commerce on Monday, March 13. Launched in 2016, the spotlight award honors merchants, businesses and individuals who excel in their support of the community and are involved in local activities.
Tommy Defer is a life-long citizen of Water Valley and is the youngest son of the late Lloyd and Shirley Defer. He is a graduate of Water Valley High School, the University of Mississippi with a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration, and the University of Mississippi School of Law in 2001. He began practicing law soon thereafter with the late David Walker in Batesville.
Tommy established his own law practice in Water Valley on December 1, 2003. Will Phillips joined Tommy’s practice as a junior partner in May 2021. Will is a native of Columbia, Mississippi, and a graduate of the University of Mississippi with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Finance, and the Mississippi College School of Law.
Will’s late father, William S. Phillips, Sr. was a practicing attorney in Columbia at the time of his death. Tommy and Will pride themselves on having a full service law firm handling almost any type of case to meet the needs of their clients.
“When you call our office, a live person will answer the phone,” Defer promises. “You will not receive a recording directing you to dial a certain number or an answering service. The door to our office is always open. You do not have to knock on the door and ask to be let in the office.”
Tommy and Will do not mind going the extra mile for their clients, including trying a case. “We are here to serve our clients any way we can,” Defer says.
Both Tommy and Will are committed to the Water Valley Community and its continued growth. “Both of us live and work in Water Valley,” Defer states. “My wife works in Water Valley. Three of my sons have graduated from Water Valley High School, and my youngest son is presently in the tenth grade at Water Valley High.”
Tommy is married to Stacie Defer, a dental hygienist employed by Dr. Barry Weeks, and the father of four sons. Two sons proudly serving in the U.S. military, one in the Army and one in the Navy. Tommy has served as an Adjunct Instructor at Northwest Mississippi Community College, teaching American National Government since 2021. He served as a public defender for felony cases throughout the Seventeenth Circuit Court District for over 20 years.
“In my years of practice I have handled most every type of criminal case you can imagine, from capital murder death penalty cases to speeding tickets and anything and everything in between including being a municipal court prosecutor.”
Today, Will serves as a public defender for felony cases in the district as Tommy has begun taking a different course.
“I have done my share of public defender work over the years, and presently I am enjoying teaching the ropes of the profession to Will, just as David Walker did for me for many years ago. I am getting back more to private practice. I enjoy teaching at Northwest, serving as Municipal Court Judge for Coffeeville, and filling in as needed in Batesville, Oxford, Senatobia, and Southaven.”
Chamber President Rhonda Burchett (right) congratulates attorneys Will Phillips (left) and Tommy Defer on receiving the Business Spotlight Award. The men’s families share a strong connection. Defer’s late father, Lloyd Defer, served as sheriff in Yalobusha County during the same time Phillips’ late grandfather, David Bryan, served as sheriff in Panola County.
Tommy and Will are assisted by legal assistant Michelle Capwell, who previously worked at the District Attorney’s Office for over 20 years.
“Having known Michelle for about 20 years it was a no-brainer of a decision for us to hire her,” says Defer. “She is an invaluable asset to our firm.”
“We are here to serve,” Defer added. “Come see us for all of your legal needs.”
Business Spotlight Drawing for $25 VISA Card
In honor of this Business Spotlight award, the Water Valley Area Chamber of Commerce is offering a $25 gift card to the person who can correctly answer this question:
What day of the week did the Law Office of Tommy W. Defer open on in 2003?
All answers will be compiled and the winning name will be drawn on March 24. “10 days and two ways” to answer between March 15 and March 24 you may (1) reply on Facebook OR (2) stop by the Chamber of Commerce office any time during regular office hours and leave a written answer. The winner will be called OR notified on Facebook.
The winner’s name and photograph will be published in the following edition of the Herald.
