Fred E. "Trey" Bourn III

Trey Bourn has a broad practice focused on helping clients from pre-litigation through trial. His experience includes defending products manufacturers in litigation pending in various state and federal venues across the country in cases involving heavy construction equipment, agricultural products, aviation products, pet food, gas pipelines, recreational vehicles, watercraft, medical devices, automobiles, home appliances, and children’s toys. He also counsels manufacturers on risk management, including product safety, recalls and compliance matters involving the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA).

In addition, Trey represents energy companies and project developers in governmental and energy litigation, including multi-state condemnation actions. He frequently represents life sciences companies – both publicly held and privately owned international pharmaceutical and medical device companies – in a wide range of matters related to medical research.

Trey served as a key member of a national coordinating counsel team (from 2013-2021) for a medical device manufacturer in state and federal court proceedings in California, New York, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, New Jersey, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Connecticut, Indiana, Minnesota, Florida, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Tennessee.

He is a frequent speaker and author on product liability topics. Trey has recently written extensively on the Right to Repair movement and corporate privilege. He co-authored a chapter in Chambers Global Practice Guide’s “Product Liability & Safety USA Trends andDevelopments” (2019 & 2020) and received the 2017 Yancey Memorial Award, which is awarded to the best article in IADC’s Defense Counsel Journal.

Trey is consistently recognized for his client successes in legal publications, including TheBest Lawyers in America® and Mid-South Super Lawyers. He is also AV Preeminent Rated by Martindale-Hubbell® and was named as one of its “Top Rated Lawyers in Insurance Law” for 2013. A graduate of Leadership Jackson, Trey was named to the Mississippi Business Journal’s “Top 40 Under 40” list for 2008 and received the J.B. Carr Community Service Award.

Trey is active in a number of legal organizations, including the Defense Research Institute (DRI), where he currently serves as chair of the Products Liability Committee (2023-2025), and the International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC), where he serves on the Board of Editors. He is also active in the International Consumer Product Health and Safety Organization (ICPHSO), as well as the American Bar Association, Mississippi Bar Association, and Capital Area Bar Association.