Kris Powell

Page Content

Associate General Counsel

Bio

Kris Powell joined the Office of the General Counsel in 2019, and focuses his practice on representing the University’s legal interests in matters primarily involving the institution’s relationship with external parties.  Such matters include contracts, research, real estate, capital improvement and expenditure, asset acquisition, intellectual property, and litigation.  Prior to joining the University’s legal team on a full-time basis, Mr. Powell practiced law with the prominent South Mississippi law firm Bryan Nelson P.A., for 15 years. In private practice, Kris developed extensive experience in complex commercial and business litigation matters, including prosecuting and defending cases through judgment and appeal, in both state and federal courts.  His experience with complex matters and claims often involving the potential for high exposure, involved diverse industries ranging from nationally recognized insurance brands, manufacturers and suppliers of industrial products, to property development companies and commercial contractors, as well as state agencies and governing authorities.  Kris successfully obtained the dismissal of a federal class action lawsuit filed against a large national insurance company arising in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, successfully defended a major industrial equipment manufacturer from multiple property, contract, warranty and personal injury claims following an industrial accident that allegedly shuttered a manufacturing plant for nearly a year, and has defended claims of product liability and inadequate warnings, including successfully obtaining the dismissal of the claims brought by in excess of 10,000 plaintiffs alleging toxic exposure.  Kris has successfully litigated matters involving copyright and trademarks, including allegations of infringement, and has significant experience with the protection of confidential and proprietary information, trade secrets, and unfair competition, as well non-disclosure and non-compete agreements.  While in private practice, Kris represented the University in major asset acquisitions, capital improvement projects, and in defending the University from legal claims in litigated matters. 

Kris obtained a B.S., summa cum laude, from The University of Southern Mississippi, followed by a J.D., with honors, from the University of Florida Levin College of Law in 2004.

Kris is admitted to practice law before all state and federal courts in the State of Mississippi, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, and the Supreme Court of the United States.

Phone: 601.266.4466                                                                        Email: kris.powell@usm.edu