M. Garner Berry

Partner

P
(601) 773-5197
F
200 W Jackson Street
Suite 200
Ridgeland
,
MS
39157

PRACTICE AREAS

Trucking and Transportation Defense

General Liability and Casualty Defense

Commercial Litigation

Cargo, Trucking and Logistics

Insurance Coverage Analysis and Litigation

Large Catastrophic Loss

Motor Vehicle Liability

Personal Injury Defense

Admissions

Mississippi

United States District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi

United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi

United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit

Education

University of Mississippi School of Law

J.D., 2002

University of Mississippi

B.S., 1999

M. Garner Berry (“Garner”) is a partner in Chartwell Law’s Ridgeland office.  With extensive experience in the trucking, transportation and motor vehicle industry, Garner handles catastrophic loss, rapid response, broker liability, cargo claims, insurance coverage, contract review/formation, employment, and workers’ compensation matters within the transportation industry. An active member of trade organizations, Garner is a sought-after speaker at industry conferences and events.

Garner is a successful trial lawyer whose experience in the trucking and transportation field extends to other areas of law, including general liability and casualty defense, medical malpractice, premises liability, and products liability.

Before joining Chartwell Law, Garner was a partner in the Ridgeland office of a regional law firm.

Professional Associations

American Bar Association (Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section, Transportation Section)

Defense Research Institute (Trucking Law Committee 2020 Program Chair, Marketing Chair, Online Community Chair, Young Lawyers Substantive Liaison)

Madison County Bar Association

Mississippi Bar Association

Mississippi Trucking Association (Safety Council, Maintenance Council)

Transportation Lawyers Association

Trucking Industry Defense Association

Achievements

Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent

Selected to MidSouth Rising Stars® List (2009-2018)

American Lawyer, Top Rated Lawyer Transportation (2013)

Articles

“The Paradox of Technology and Distracted Driving,” Trucking Industry Defense Association Quarterly Newsletter (2022)

"Opinion: Share the Message of Trucking's Importance," American Transportation Association, Transport Topics (2017)

"Survival of the Fittest: Transportation Contracts, Indemnity Provisions, and Additional Insured Endorsements," DRI, For the Defense (2014)

"The Ninja Trilogy: Interplay Between Shippers, Brokers and Carriers," DRI, For the Defense: In Transit (2014)

"Industry Can’t Hide from E-Discovery," DRI, For the Defense: In Transit (2010)

"Electronic Discovery Best Practices and Quick Reference Guide," Daniel, Coker, Horton & Bell, P.A., E-Discovery Committee (2009)

"Product Liability Law," ALFA International Compendium, Mississippi Section (2009)

"Long-term Care Licensure and Related Requirements: A Fifty States Survey," ALFA International Compendium, Mississippi Section (2005)

Presentations

“Pitfalls of CDL and Training Manuals,” Trucking Boot Camp for the Claims Professional XIV Seminars (2022)

“Driver Handbooks, CDL Manuals and Driver Training Resources: Strategies in Handling Plaintiffs Use of These Materials, Defeating the Reptile and Avoiding the Nuclear Verdict,” American Trucking Association (2021)

“Nuclear Verdicts and How to Avoid Them,” Cottingham & Butler Transportation Safety Workshop (2019)

“Cross-Examination of the Sympathetic Plaintiff,” DRI Seminar - Big Rig Meets the Court Room (2019)

“Kumbaya: Interaction Between Carriers, Shippers and Brokers,” DRI Annual Conference, Trucking Meeting (2018)

“Kumbaya: Interaction Between Carriers, Shippers and Brokers,” Total Transportation of MS Customer Summit (2017)

“Trials in Trucking,” Mississippi Trucking Association Annual Conference (2016)

“Why We Love the Trucking Industry and You Should, Too,” Defense Research Institute Trucking Law Seminar (2016)

“Trucking Mock Trial Presentation,” Mississippi Trucking Association Annual Conference (2014)

“Navigating the Maze of Health Care Reform for Trucking Companies,” Mississippi Trucking Association Annual Conference (2013)

“Bad Faith Best Practices and How to Avoid the Inevitable,” An Analysis of Mississippi Worker's Compensation Law Annual Seminar (2012)

“Collision Mitigation Systems: State of the Technology and Impact Upon the Trucking Industry,” DRI Trucking Law Seminar (2016)

“CYA 101: When Do I Contact a Lawyer – After the Accident? Work Comp Claim? Problem Employee?” Moderator, Mid-West Truck & Trailer Show, Peoria (2016)

M. Garner Berry (“Garner”) is a partner in Chartwell Law’s Ridgeland office.  With extensive experience in the trucking, transportation and motor vehicle industry, Garner handles catastrophic loss, rapid response, broker liability, cargo claims, insurance coverage, contract review/formation, employment, and workers’ compensation matters within the transportation industry. An active member of trade organizations, Garner is a sought-after speaker at industry conferences and events.

Garner is a successful trial lawyer whose experience in the trucking and transportation field extends to other areas of law, including general liability and casualty defense, medical malpractice, premises liability, and products liability.

Before joining Chartwell Law, Garner was a partner in the Ridgeland office of a regional law firm.

Professional Associations

American Bar Association (Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section, Transportation Section)

Defense Research Institute (Trucking Law Committee 2020 Program Chair, Marketing Chair, Online Community Chair, Young Lawyers Substantive Liaison)

Madison County Bar Association

Mississippi Bar Association

Mississippi Trucking Association (Safety Council, Maintenance Council)

Transportation Lawyers Association

Trucking Industry Defense Association

Achievements

Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent

Selected to MidSouth Rising Stars® List (2009-2018)

American Lawyer, Top Rated Lawyer Transportation (2013)

Articles

“The Paradox of Technology and Distracted Driving,” Trucking Industry Defense Association Quarterly Newsletter (2022)

"Opinion: Share the Message of Trucking's Importance," American Transportation Association, Transport Topics (2017)

"Survival of the Fittest: Transportation Contracts, Indemnity Provisions, and Additional Insured Endorsements," DRI, For the Defense (2014)

"The Ninja Trilogy: Interplay Between Shippers, Brokers and Carriers," DRI, For the Defense: In Transit (2014)

"Industry Can’t Hide from E-Discovery," DRI, For the Defense: In Transit (2010)

"Electronic Discovery Best Practices and Quick Reference Guide," Daniel, Coker, Horton & Bell, P.A., E-Discovery Committee (2009)

"Product Liability Law," ALFA International Compendium, Mississippi Section (2009)

"Long-term Care Licensure and Related Requirements: A Fifty States Survey," ALFA International Compendium, Mississippi Section (2005)

ATTORNEY'S Resources

Podcast
Trucking
Trucking
Episode 27 of The Chartwell Chronicles
Trucking
Episode 27 of The Chartwell Chronicles
January 29, 2024
January 29, 2024
News
Chartwell Law Continues Expansion Opening Four Offices with the Addition of a Veteran Transportation Group
Chartwell Law Continues Expansion Opening Four Offices with the Addition of a Veteran Transportation Group
Chartwell Law Continues Expansion Opening Four Offices with the Addition of a Veteran Transportation Group
October 16, 2023
February 9, 2023