John S. Hooks

John heads the firm’s education law practice, advising schools and universities on federal desegregation law, employment discrimination and civil rights claims. His litigation work for educational institutions has included landmark desegregation cases and matters addressing the First Amendment rights of public employees. He has also defended more than 35 school districts against more than 1,000 claims alleging violations of federal overtime requirements.

As a member of the firm’s appellate team, John often argues before state and federal appellate courts. Alongside his litigation practice, he advises clients, lectures frequently and provides training intended to help prevent lawsuits. His training addresses risks involving inappropriate employee relationships with students, workplace harassment, social media use and student safety, with an emphasis on helping administrators and fellow education attorneys identify and address potential claims early.

• Vanderbilt University Law School, J.D. | 1998
• Georgetown University, B.A. | 1993

• District of Columbia
• Mississippi

• Best Lawyers® - Education Law, Litigation - Labor and Employment
• Mid-South Super Lawyers® (by Thomson Reuters) - Appellate
• Mid-South Rising Stars® (by Thomson Reuters) - Appellate, Labor and Employment
• Leadership Mississippi

• Legal Issues Involving AI and Student Investigations, Mississippi Association of School Superintendents (MASS)/Alliance Summer Convention, July 2024
• Legal Issues in This Era of Transformation, Mississippi Association of School Superintendents (MASS)/Alliance Summer Convention, July 2024