J. Chadwick Mask

Mr. Mask is in his 29th year of practicing law. His practice includes extensive trial experience in state and federal courts. He has served as lead counsel on over 60 cases that have been tried to conclusion. Mr. Mask heads CWP’s governmental litigation practice group, which focuses on governmental litigation, regulatory compliance, and administrative law representation. His litigation practice includes the full spectrum of state and local governmental litigation as well as commercial litigation, construction and contractual disputes, Section 1983 constitutional and civil rights claims, and trial of insurance bad faith and coverage claims. In recent years, Mr. Mask has successfully defended and prosecuted claims arising out of the decisions of municipal and county-governing authorities, has prevailed in having county and state legislation ruled unconstitutional, and has prosecuted successful annexations on behalf of numerous municipalities throughout the state. His practice also includes administrative proceedings and regulatory compliance, including proceedings before the Mississippi Public Service Commission and the United States Department of Justice. Mr. Mask has served as lead appellate counsel for numerous clients at both the Mississippi Supreme Court level and the federal appellate court level.

In addition to Mr. Mask’s extensive jury trial experience, he has tried numerous bench trials as counsel for Mississippi municipalities and county Boards of Supervisors. In recent years, he has represented approximately 50 municipal and county governmental entities, fire districts, and school districts in the State of Mississippi. Such representation includes annexation litigation, zoning litigation, civil rights litigation, employment litigation, and utility construction litigation. He has successfully annexed territory for municipalities in all regions of the state and has also successfully opposed municipal annexations on behalf of county governments, individual objectors, and private developers. Mr. Mask has also prosecuted many eminent domain matters on behalf of the Mississippi Transportation Commission, municipalities, and county governments.

Community Involvement

• Vaught Society, Ole Miss Athletics Foundation

• Member, Mississippi Municipal League

• Member, Mississippi Forestry Association

• Member, Hinds County Forestry Association

• Member, Mississippi Fish and Wildlife Foundation

• Member, Greater Belhaven Neighborhood Foundation

• Member, Belhaven Improvement Association

• Member, Christ United Methodist Church

Presentations

• “Planning for the Future: The Links Between Comprehensive Planning and Municipal Annexation”

• “Redrawing the Lines: An Overview of Municipal Annexation”

• “Bad Faith Insurance Claims in Mississippi”:

- “Consider the Ethical Consequences: It’s Legal But Is It Right?”

- “Successful Courtroom Strategies”

• “Municipal Budgeting and Capital Improvements, Planning and Budgeting” -2013

• “The Links Between Comprehensive Plans and Municipal Annexation” -2014

• “Eminent Domain Trial Practice and Strategy” -2014

• “Eminent Domain Settlement Strategies” -2014

• “Annexation” – Mississippi Trial & Appellate Judges Fall Conference 2016

• “Lessons from Bench Trials: Genesis of Proposed Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law—Mississippi Municipal Annexation and Incorporation Proceedings” 2019 Presentation to the Charles Clark American Inn of Court

• “A Primer on Municipal Annexation Law in Mississippi” – 2019

• “Working with Special Counsel: What Board Attorneys Need to Know (and Other Practice Pointers)” – 2022 Winter Mississippi Municipal Attorneys’ CLE Seminar

• “Working with Outside/Special Counsel: Practice Pointers for Mississippi Governmental Entity Attorneys” – July 2022 Mississippi Bar Convention

• “Municipal Annexation Considerations: Common Pros and Cons” – July 2024 Mississippi Bar Convention

Professional Affiliations and Achievements

• Mid-South Super Lawyer

• American Bar Association

• The Mississippi Bar

- Litigation Section

- Government Law Section

- Appellate Section

• The Lamar Order, The University of Mississippi School of Law

• Capital Area Bar Association

• American Association for Justice, Business Torts Section

• Mississippi Municipal League

• Mississippi Municipal Attorneys

• Mississippi Forestry Association

• Hinds County Forestry Association

• Mississippi Fish and Wildlife Foundation

• Greater Belhaven Neighborhood Foundation

• Belhaven Improvement Association

• Christ United Methodist Church