Marlena P. Pickering is a litigation associate in the Firm's Jackson office. Her practice includes complex commercial disputes, premises liability, personal injury, nursing home litigation, medical negligence, labor and employment, insurance and construction litigation. She has hands-on experience litigating cases in state and federal court and is licensed to practice law in Mississippi and Tennessee. Prior to entering law school, Marlena taught in the Jackson Public Schools District. In law school, she served as the special projects editor of the Mississippi College Law Review and was a member of Mississippi College School of Law's Moot Court Board.
- Obtained Summary Judgment for Mortgage Company in case where homeowners alleged fraud, negligence, and emotional distress.
- Obtained favorable ruling protecting Nursing Home Facility's Medicaid Cost Reports from open disclosure.
- Negotiated favorable settlement and dismissal for Insurance Carrier in breach of insurance contract claim.
- Assisted in obtaining favorable settlement and dismissal for Apartment Owner in premises liability & negligence case.
- Co-author – "Crossing the Bridge: The Case For Cross-Race Mentoring," Diversity Insider, DRI (August 2010)
- Moderator/Presenter – "Hide and Seek: A Primer on Discovery," Charles Clark American Inns of Court (July 2010)
- Presenter – "Getting More Work Done In Your Work Day," Charles Clark American Inns of Court (July 2009)
- 2009-2010 and 2007-2008 Young Lawyer of the Year – Mississippi College School of Law, Black Law Student Association
- Listed in Mid-South Rising Stars, 2011
- Special Prosecutor – District Attorney Office, Hinds County, Mississippi
- Board of Directors – Jackson Young Lawyers Association
- Young Lawyers Liaison to Insurance Committee – Defense Research Institute
- Board Member – Mississippi Volunteer Lawyers Project Advisory Board
- Board Member – Mississippi College School of Law Moot Court Advisory Board
- Member – Mississippi Bar Association, Tennessee Bar Association, American Bar Association, Capital Area Bar Association
- Member – Defense Research Institute
- Member – Mississippi Defense Lawyers Association
- Member – Charles Clark Chapter of American Inns of Court
- Member – Mississippi Women Lawyers Association and Magnolia Bar Association
- Coach – Mississippi College Frederick Douglass Moot Court Team
- Mississippi, 2007
- Tennessee, 2007
- Mississippi College School of Law, J.D., 2007, magna cum laude
- Winner – Southern Region Frederick Douglass Moot Court Competition, 2006
- American Jurisprudence Awards – Professional Responsibilities, Trial Practice
- Frisby Griffing Marble Scholarship
- Appellate Advocacy Scholarship
- Participant – 2006-2007 National Trial Competition
- Student Member – Charles Clark Chapter of American Inns of Court
- Member – S.T.A.R. Mentorship Program
- Jackson State University, B.A., 2002, magna cum laude