Merrida P Coxwell Jr.

Merrida P Coxwell Jr.

also known as Merrida (Buddy) Coxwell

4.0
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 45 years

Personal injury Lawyer at Jackson, MS
Practice Areas: Personal Injury, Criminal Defense, Appeals, Civil Rights

500 North State Street, Jackson, MS

About Merrida

Biography

Practice Areas

4

Practice Areas

Criminal Defense 45%

I believe I am considered by my peers as one of the best criminal defense attorneys in Mississippi. I have handled hundreds of cases, State and Federal. No case is to big or small if our cllient has a problem. In the past I have successfully represented a Mississippi Supreme Court Judge, the Mayor of Jackson, a school bond attorney, many in the medical field, and countless good, hard working people. More of my experience and cases can be learned on www.coxwelllaw.com.

45 years

45%
Personal Injury 45%

I have practiced in many areas of the personal injury field. In truth it is impossible to give a percentage amount. My office has handled mass tort cases, managing 600+ cllients in the diet drug litigation. Those settlements are all confidental but they ranged over 100 hundred million. We also worked as a team with two other attorneys and obtained a 144 million dollar verdict in a rollover case. Our office regularly handles many other types of civil injury cases of every type.

45 years

45%
Appeals 8%

Look at my website for the experience we have in this area. To date we have handled over a hundred appeals.

45 years

8%
Civil Rights 2%

Unfortunately this is one area where our office chooses the cases very carefully. We obtained a 2.1 million dollar verdict in a civil rights death case against the City of Jackson, but the Federal Jurisdiction governing Mississippi makes these cases hard.

45 years

2%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 30 minutes

Hourly Rates

$ 300-400 per hour

Contingency

25%-40%

Pro bono

5 %

Retainer

Sometimes


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in North Carolina for 2 years

State: North Carolina

Acquired: 2023

Active

No misconduct found

Licensed in Arkansas for 12 years

State: Arkansas

Acquired: 2013

Active

No misconduct found

Licensed in District of Columbia for 19 years

State: District of Columbia

Acquired: 2006

Good Standing

No misconduct found

Licensed in Mississippi for 45 years

State: Mississippi

Acquired: 1980

Active

No misconduct found

Licensed in West Virginia for 18 years

State: West Virginia

Acquired: 2007

Inactive

No misconduct found

Location

Law Offices of Merrida P Coxwell Jr.

500 North State Street, Jackson, MS, 39201

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Merrida P Coxwell Jr.'s Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.0 /5.0

4 Client Reviews

5 star (3)
4 star (0)
3 star (0)
2 star (0)
1 star (1)

Posted by anonymous | November 20, 2019 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Unreliable

I was ignored for months. When I finally went to pick up my file, key documents were missing. Many attempts to obtain the documents have failed. Suspicious at best. I do not recommend this person.

Merrida Coxwell

Replied last June 21, 2025

None of us has any recollection of your problem. Perhaps you should email me personally and not hide anonymously. By speaking with you we might be able to assist you. Merrida

Posted by J.W. | March 9, 2011

Thanks for the great help!

When the US economy began to have problems in October 2009, one of the largest mortgage banking companies in the United States raised our monthly fixed rate mortgage by $400 for no apparent reason. I had already taken a pay cut at work and the increase caused major financial problems. After writing... everyone from the US President, to the Head of the US Banking System, to the Comptroller of the Currency and the CEO of the bank requesting loan modification, we got absolutely no help or hope. We were being daily harassed and threatened with foreclosure even though we had never missed a single payment at the original monthly mortgage rate. The mortgage company made lofty promises but did absolutely nothing it had agreed to… accept to give us grief and pain. God directed us to Frank Coxwell and Frank was able to quickly close the mouth of the lion – preserving our home - through the only avenue left to us, a Chapter 13 Reorganization Bankruptcy. Frank skillfully maneuvered through our financial situation, working within our very small budget, dealing firmly with creditors, and enabled us to receive all the legal rights and benefits that citizens of the State of Mississippi are entitled to. Frank Coxwell represented us successfully in court and completed all the necessary paperwork and forms. When we were thrown 2 extra nasty curves that threatened to wallop us, Frank did not quit and in addition he helped us win our point and legally overcome those adversities. If you are facing bankruptcy, harassment from creditors, or if your mortgage company is a man-eating predator, do yourself a big favor and call Attorney Frank H. Coxwell, Jackson, Mississippi. Sincerely, M&D Mississippi

Posted by J.W. | January 17, 2011

Time for Thanks

Dear Buddy, How does one begin to say all that one feels about what we’ve all been through these last few years. Clearly there is nothing one can say but thanks. A lot goes into that word as it is relayed from me to you. Real friends, those who accept you as you are and share the low tines, are... hard to come upon. I have found you to be one of those rare individuals I can call my friend. To me, this watch is an expression of something that occurs every day, the passage of time. Every day we all take this event of time and use it in many ways. I never appreciated time in the past as I do now. Your efforts have allowed me more time. My promise to you is that I will be a good steward of this time and use it wisely. Knowing you, I don’t imagine you will think too much of this event in years to come. You were doing what you were sworn to do – representing your client to the best of your ability – within the boundaries of the law. I hope this symbol of time will represent our friendship. Something that occurs every day even though we might not pay attention to it that closely on a day to day basis. Thanks for those hours of time I know you labored, both professionally and personally. There is no amount of expression I can offer to truly relay my feelings of appreciation. I can offer my friendship over the years to come. You will always have my friendship. If you ever need help I’ll be there for you as you have been there for me. Your friend, Mike

Posted by Wayne | October 15, 2008

Highly recommended

I've known Mr Coxwell for many years and he has represented me on a number of legal matters. Merrida (I've always known him as Buddy) is well respected within the legal community by judges, prosecutors,law enforcement officials and his peers. If it's a criminal matter you can't find a better attorn...ey to stand between you and a jailhouse. If it's a civil issue Buddy will work just as hard to see that you get justice. What ever your legal needs, whether it's something major or a something minor, and you are looking for a lawyer,...you don't need to look any further.

See All Client Reviews

Merrida P Coxwell Jr.'s Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Merrida
Robert Geoffrey Parrish headshot
Robert Parrish

Unknown lawyer | Jul 05

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Jason Scott Gilbert headshot
Jason Gilbert

Criminal defense lawyer | Apr 25

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. Merrida was one of the toughest adversaries I ever faced as a prosecutor. His sincere concern for his clients, as well as his preparation reverberate through the courtroom. He is an excellent advocate and counselor."

Michael S. Waddington headshot
Michael Waddington

Criminal defense lawyer | Jun 05

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse Merrida. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."

Randall R. Saxton headshot
Randall Saxton

Criminal defense lawyer | Jan 14

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Brad Michael Micklin headshot
Brad Micklin

Appeals lawyer | Jul 08

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. His participation and responses in Avvo show his knowledge and commitment to his clients."

Gilbert F. Nason Jr. headshot
Gilbert Nason

Criminal defense lawyer | Mar 31

Relationship: Friend

"I endorse this lawyer, he is one of the best in Mississippi!"

Emily W Haxton headshot
Emily Haxton

Personal injury lawyer | Mar 14

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I strongly endorse this lawyer. His work and ethics are superior."

Everett Pepper headshot
Everett Pepper

Unknown lawyer | Feb 28

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Mark John Caruso headshot
Mark Caruso

Unknown lawyer | Dec 03

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Anders Ferrington headshot
Anders Ferrington

Criminal defense lawyer | Nov 30

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Paul Houston Lavalle headshot
Paul Lavalle

Personal injury lawyer | Oct 28

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer."

John D. Brady headshot
John Brady

Personal injury lawyer | Mar 08

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I have personally worked in opposition to this attorney on more than one occasion. I found him to be a zealous advocate for his client while doing so in a professional manner."

Jon A. Swartzfager headshot
Jon Swartzfager

Personal injury lawyer | Aug 11

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Merrida is one of the finest lawyers in the state and the South. His skills in settlements before trial and in court are unmatched. He has experience, great intelligence and a dedication to his clients. Most all of us lawyers call him the "King of the Hill". When you have Merrida on your side you have the best! Jon A. Swartzfager, Trial Attorney, Laurel, Miss."

Lance O'Neal Mixon headshot
Lance Mixon

Criminal defense lawyer | Feb 15

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Buddy is an incredibly dedicated trial lawyer who I know on both a professional and personal level. His longstanding reputation in the legal community speaks for itself. Buddy has the skill, the knowledge, and the experience to effectively represent his clients, and I endorse him without hesitation. Lance O. Mixon"

Jonathan Craig Reed headshot
Jonathan Reed

Personal injury lawyer | Feb 12

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"A persuasive advocate."

Christian K. Lassen II headshot
Christian Lassen

Criminal defense lawyer | Dec 28

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Talented attorney."

Haytham Faraj headshot
Haytham Faraj

General practice lawyer | Sep 02

Relationship: Friend

"Mr. Coxwell is an outstanding attorney and advocate for the rights of people. He is distinguished by his deep care for his clients, his exceptional legal skills and experience, and his best-in-class trial skills. If I needed an attorney I would call on Mr. Coxwell. I certainly call on him for professional legal advice."

View All Endorsements
Stephen Allen King headshot
Stephen King

Unknown lawyer

Lance O'Neal Mixon headshot
Lance Mixon

DUI and DWI lawyer

Haytham Faraj headshot
Haytham Faraj

Criminal defense lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2025

Stanford Young Lifetime Achievement Award, Mississippi Association for Justice

2014

Stanford Young Life Time Achievement Award, Mississippi Association for Justice

2009

Nations Top Trial Attorney, Best Attorneys Network

2008

Trial Lawyer of the Year, Mississippi Trial Lawyers Association

2006

Top Attorney in the Deep South, Mid-South Super Lawyer

2003

Stone Pony Award, Mississippi Trial Lawyers Association

1993

Member, Million Dollar Advocates Forum

Work Experience

1980 - Present

Managing Partner, Coxwell & Associates, PLLC

Associations

2009 - Present

Tennesse Criminal Defense Lawyers Assoc.

Member

2009 - Present

Arkansas Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Member

2008 - Present

American Bar Association

Member

2007 - Present

West Virginia State Bar

Member

2007 - Present

Southern Trial Lawyers Association

Member

2006 - Present

American Bar Association

2006 - Present

District of Columbia Bar

2005 - Present

Mississippi Association for Justice

Chair of Political Action & Education Committee

2005 - Present

Texas Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Member

2003 - Present

Public Justice

Member

2000 - Present

Georgia Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Member

2000 - Present

Louisiana Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Member

2000 - Present

Alabama Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Member

1999 - Present

Fifth Circuit Bar Association

Member

1980 - Present

National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys

Life time member

1980 - Present

Mississippi Bar

Attorney

1980 - Present

Mississippi Association for Justice

Member; Past President; Board Member

1977 - Present

American Association for Justice

Member

Sample of Legal Cases

Beck vs. City of Jackson

Verdict for Heirs in amount of 2.1 million

Robinson vs. Ford Motor Company

144 million verdict

Hines vs. Equicredit

Commercial fraud against many consumers

Hoskins v. Prudential

Confidential settlement

Plaintiffs vs Wyeth

Settled for substantial, confidential sum

See More Legal Cases

Education

2009

Gerry Spence Trial Lawyers College

Graduate

1980

Miss. College School of Law

Juris Doctor

1977

University of Alabama

B.A.

Speaking Engagements

N/A

Numerous speaking engagements

See our website

Publications

1980

CLE See our website

Languages

Spanish

Activity

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution