Austin Stewart has been named the recipient of the Mississippi Bar Foundation's 2020 Law-Related Public Education Award.
This award is presented annually to a lawyer who has displayed excellence in enhancing the public’s understanding of the law and the legal system. Stewart is actively involved with the Mississippi Bar's community outreach programs, and has served as the organization's Young Lawyers Division High School Mock Trial Committee Chairman (2015), Seminars Committee Chairperson (2016) and Lawyer in Every Classroom Committee Chairman (2017). Stewart's other recognition from the Mississippi Bar includes being named its Outstanding Young Lawyer of Mississippi (2016–2017) and a member of its Leadership Forum (2017).
Stewart’s litigation-driven practice focuses on complex matters involving products liability, commercial litigation, toxic torts and insurance. His breadth of litigation experience includes representing clients in industrial services, construction, product manufacturing, real estate and government. He serves on the national trial counsel team for an industry-leading product manufacturing company, and works closely with experts in industrial hygiene, workplace safety and government regulation.
Stewart has extensive background experience in regulatory matters, including with the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA), Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), which enables him to be an effective advisor to industrial, manufacturing, medical device and construction clients navigating regulatory compliance or facing inspections, investigations, citations and enforcement actions.
In addition to his litigation practice, Stewart acts as outside general counsel to assist business clients of all types, and is a trusted resource on a range of legal issues, including contractual issues, landlord/tenant law, insurance, general corporate matters and transactions. Stewart also advises clients on entertainment law and connects them with the right resources within the firm when necessary.