Conner G. Whitten

In addition to his litigation practice, Mr. Whitten regularly counsels clients on proactively managing and mitigating risks arising from employment issues, federal and state investigations, contract disputes, and regulatory and environmental compliance.

Prior to joining Baker Donelson, Mr. Whitten worked as a business law fellow in the regulatory division of Entergy Mississippi, where he gained experience in regulatory law within the energy sector. He was also a legal extern for the United States District Court, Northern District of Mississippi, and he interned with the Mississippi Public Service Commission.

• Advising a financial institution on a multimillion-dollar solar and energy development project concerning federal and state environmental, regulatory, and energy compliance, including compliance with Federal Aviation Administration rules and regulations.

• Defending a poultry processor in a multi-defendant class action against a putative nationwide class of broiler growers bringing claims under antitrust laws and the Packers and Stockyards Act alleging suppression of broiler grower compensation by the industry through information sharing and/or no poach or non-solicitation agreements.

• Representing corporate fiduciary in defending claims made by beneficiaries related to the administration of two trusts and the investment of the trusts' assets over several decades. Issues include a trustee's authority to adjust between principal and income under the Power to Adjust Statute, application of the relevant statute of limitations applicable to beneficiary claims, the enforcement of beneficiary releases, and management of certain trust assets.

• Defending a poultry processor in a multidefendant class action against a putative nationwide class of hourly and salaried poultry workers bringing claims under antitrust laws alleging suppression of plant worker compensation and/or benefits by the industry through information sharing.

• Defending persons accused of submitting false claims for payment to the federal government in a qui tam action involving allegations of Medicare and other financial fraud filed under the False Claims Act.

• Advised a financial institution regarding permitting and licensing requirements required by federal and state environmental, regulatory, and energy laws concerning the development of a multimillion-dollar solar project.

• Represented a housing authority in litigation comprised of 16 individual tax sale confirmation lawsuits arising from an $18 million affordable housing deal on behalf of a joint venture of two non-profit housing developers for the demolition and redevelopment of an aging 80-unit public housing facility in Mississippi.

• Successfully briefed and defended a judgment in favor of a financial institution, affirmed on appeal by the Supreme Court of Mississippi.

• Secured the dismissal of a lawsuit in favor of a financial lender involving allegations of wrongful foreclosure, breach of contract, and breach of the duty of good faith and fair dealing.

• Defended an emergency services provider in a breach of contract action arising from a commercial transaction involving the acquisition of a commercial entity.

• Defended a poultry processor in a lawsuit brought by a former independent contractor alleging discrimination under 42 U.S.C. § 1981, fraud, breach of contract, retaliation, and violation of the Packers and Stockyard Act.

• Obtained summary judgment in favor of a commercial freight corporation in a lawsuit filed by a former employee alleging a federal claim of race discrimination in violation of 42 U.S.C. 1981 and state law claims of defamation, wrongful termination, and intentional infliction of emotional distress, which was affirmed by the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

• Secured a multimillion-dollar settlement in favor of a client in a lawsuit involving allegations of breach of fiduciary duties and a minority freeze-out.

• Obtained dismissal of a case in favor of a financial institution in a lawsuit which plaintiffs sought $15,000,000, plus allowable interest and attorneys' fees based on alleged violations of Mississippi securities provisions, aiding and abetting, res ipsa loquitur, fraudulent concealment, negligence per se, gross negligence, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and conversion/embezzlement.

• Secured dismissal of a case in favor of a financial lender in a lawsuit alleging various tort claims and breach of contract involving escrow obligations.

• Selected to Mid-South Rising Stars for Business Litigation (2024, 2025)
• Capital Area Bar Association
  • Committee on Law-Related Education
• Mississippi Bar Association
  • Board Member, Jackson Young Lawyers Division (2024)
  • Bar Admissions Ceremony Committee Member (2023)
• American Cancer Society
  • Co-chair (2026)
  • Honoree (2024)
• Mississippi Children's Museum
  • Committee Chair (2024)
• Diabetes Foundation of Mississippi
  • Committee Chair (2023 – 2024)
• The Record
  • 20 Under 40 Successful Alumni (2022)
• American Bar Association
  • Vice Chair – Pharmaceutical, Medical Device and Bioscience General Committee (2019 – 2020)
  • Vice Chair – Toxic Torts and Environmental Law General Committee (2019 – 2020)

• Panelist – "Pre-Law," Mississippi State University, Office of Undergraduate Admissions (April 2026)
• Guest Speaker – "Litigation," Mississippi State University, Law II (March 2026; April 2025)
• Presenter – "Fair Housing," Southeastern Regional Council-National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (SERC-NAHRO) Annual Conference (June 2024)
• Presenter – "Ethics," SERC-NAHRO Annual Conference (June 2024)

• 44 Baker Donelson Attorneys Named to 2025 Mid-South Super Lawyers; 47 Named to Mid-South Rising Stars (November 20, 2025)
• 38 Baker Donelson Attorneys Named to 2024 Mid-South Super Lawyers; 40 Named to Mid-South Rising Stars (November 22, 2024)
• Baker Donelson Adds 24 New Associates Firm-Wide (November 30, 2021)

• Constitution and Separation of Powers: Impeachment (Fall 2022)