Cynthia I. Mitchell is the 2024 Recipient of MSAJ’s “Least Weasel” Award
Merkel & Cocke, P.A. is delighted to announce that attorney Cynthia I. Mitchell, Of Counsel with our firm, was this year’s recipient of the Mississippi Association for Justice’s (MSAJ) “Least Weasel” award. The award honors attorneys who fight fiercely for their clients and help protect the justice system in this country.
If you’re unfamiliar with the Least Weasel, this might sound like a funny name for an award. But we think MSAJ explains this particular honor best:
A native of North America, the Least Weasel averages four ounces in weight and six inches in height. A solitary hunter, she is one of the fiercest creatures alive. Her courage, tenacity, and fighting skills are unsurpassed. The domain of the Least Weasel is small, usually two acres of the earth. She is, also, beneficial in keeping a balance in Nature. The Mississippi Association for Justice Least Weasel Award is presented to those trial lawyers of Mississippi whose professional skills and personal lives uphold the principles of the trial lawyers’ associations and most resemble the characteristics of the Least Weasel.
Anyone who’s had the pleasure of working with Ms. Mitchell knows that tenacity and courage are but two excellent descriptors for her. As Shakespeare might say, “though she be but little, she is fierce.”
About Cynthia I. Mitchell, Of Counsel with Merkel & Cocke, P.A.
For more than 40 years, Cynthia (Cindy) Mitchell has been a fierce and tireless advocate for the injured in Mississippi. She is admitted to practice in every court of the state (and some in Tennessee and Arkansas, too), as well as all federal courts and multiple Courts of Appeals. She is also admitted to the Bar of the Supreme Court of the United States. She has represented clients in countless jury trials and appellate cases and was a member of the litigation team representing Bob Wilson and Alwyn Luckey against Richard Scruggs.
Ms. Mitchell has been an active supporter of the Mississippi Association for Justice, serving in all leadership positions in the organization. A sampling of her many other honors and accolades include:
- Mississippi State Bar Association, Lawyer Citizenship Award, 2012
- Mississippi Association for Justice:
- Beyond the Call of Duty Award, 2011
- Women’s Caucus, Excellence in Achievement Award, 2012
- Lifetime Achievement Award, 2016
- Super Lawyersand Top 50 Women Attorneys in the Mid-South, 2009 – to present
- AV Preeminent® by Martindale-Hubbell®
- Mississippi Volunteer Lawyers Project,Beyond the Call of Duty Award, 2010
Ms. Mitchell has fought to help people her entire life: as a volunteer and as part of her career. And while this former marathon runner may be significantly faster than the Least Weasel, her work has contributed to balancing the scales of Justice in the Magnolia State. We’re incredibly proud of her every day, and we cannot think of a more worthy recipient of this year’s award.
Congratulations, Cindy – you deserve this honor and so much more!
Merkel & Cocke, P.A. is a premier personal injury law firm serving clients throughout Mississippi. We invite you to visit our website to learn more about our services. Call or contact us today for help.
After graduating from the University of Virginia Law School in 1975, Mr. Cocke and Mr. Merkel established Merkel & Cocke, P.A. in 1982. Since that time the emphasis of Mr. Cocke’s practice has progressed toward medical malpractice. At the present time his practice is exclusively devoted to handling medical negligence cases for the plaintiff, either as a result of direct contact by the client or on referral from other attorneys who are not familiar with the handling of medical negligence cases. Mr. Cocke was selected Best Lawyer of the year for 2012 and 2014 in The Memphis area in the field of Medical Malpractice and has been selected a Best Lawyer and Super Lawyer every year since 2006. Learn more about John Hartwell Cocke here.