C. Phillip Buffington Jr.

Phil Buffington advises community, regional and national financial institutions across the United States on federal and state banking laws and regulations. Over more than 30 years, he has helped institutions assess regulatory and litigation risks and address matters ranging from examinations and enforcement actions to corporate governance and strategic planning.

Phil’s banking and finance practice includes mergers and acquisitions, succession planning, capital planning and offerings, and commercial lending transactions. He also helps clients evaluate and develop new products and services. His practice extends to health care and insurance matters.

• Advised boards of directors of financial institutions with regard to their duties and responsibilities, including regulatory, corporate governance, succession planning and risk management matters.
• Negotiated, structured and handled mergers, purchase and assumption and expansions for over 30 years for numerous institutions throughout the southeastern United States.
• Structured, documented and closed commercial loans, including syndicated loans, participations and all types of secured loan transactions.
• Advised and assisted financial institutions in capital planning, including advising on private placements and registered offerings.
• Advised and counseled on financial institution litigation involving director and officer actions, lending related litigation (including lender liability), shareholder derivative litigation, embezzlement, conversion, wrongful foreclosure and repossession, Equal Credit Opportunity Act claims, Fair Debt Collection Practices Act claims, Fair Credit Reporting Act claims and guaranty litigation.
• Argued cases involving matters involving financial institutions before the United States Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit.

• Mississippi College School of Law, J.D., 1984
• University of Mississippi, B.B.A., 1981

Bar Admissions

• Mississippi, 1984

Courts

• Supreme Court of Mississippi
• U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of Mississippi
• U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Mississippi
• U.S. District Court, Northern District of Mississippi
• U.S. District Court, Southern District of Mississippi
• U.S. Court of Federal Claims
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit

• Chambers USA, Corporate/Commercial: Banking & Finance
• The Best Lawyers in America^® - Banking and Finance Law, Commercial Finance Law, Corporate Law, Financial Services Regulation Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law
  • Lawyer of the Year - Commercial Finance Law, 2018
  • Lawyer of the Year - Banking and Finance Law, 2025
• AV® Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell 
• Mid-South Super Lawyers^®, Banking, 2011-2019
• Mississippi Business Journal, Top 10 Leaders in the Law, 2017

• American Bar Association, Banking Law Committee
• Mississippi Bar Association, Business Law Section
• Madison County Business League & Foundation
  • Government Relations Committee, Chair of the Board
  • Diversity Committee, Vice-Chair
• Mississippi Senate, Mississippi Tort Claims Board, Chair
• Mississippi Economic Council, Board of Governors
• University of Mississippi Banking and Finance Board, Member
• Madison County Republican Party Executive Committee
• Mississippi Republican Party State Executive Committee
• Central Mississippi Planning and Development District, Board Member