Having started with Gladden & Ingram in October, 2017, Bridget Harris says the firm is "the ideal place in which to practice law" and "truly, like an extended family."
While the firm has carved out a niche and reputation for its insurance defense work, Bridget says that general litigation is what she primarily does for Gladden & Ingram. "If a case is being litigated, I'm working on it," she says. "If Lee (Gladden) is working on a case, the chances are strong that I'm right there alongside him."
When asked her favorite part of the job, and of her role at Gladden & Ingram, Bridget doesn't hesitate: "I could go on and on--it's hard to narrow down," she laughs. "I came here from a large, corporate firm and the differences are so stark--literally night and day. That goes back to my observation that we're like an extended family, because it's true--it's not a cliche'. I enjoy working with everyone here and every case we handle is collaborative. At Gladden & Ingram, we are always conferring with one another. I believe that camaraderie and chemistry makes us a better firm and stronger representatives for our clients."
Having been an attorney for 21 years, Bridget says she knew Lee Gladden for a couple of years prior to her earning her J.D. "We were in law school together," she recalls, "but became friends because we lived at the same apartment complex and traveled in the same social circles. We were very good friends for a number of years--almost like brother and sister--so it's great that we ended up working together. We had a mutual friend, an attorney, who was close to Lee. When he learned that Lee was looking to hire someone after his law partner, Blayne Ingram, passed away, my name came up. Long story short, this friend of ours suggested that I talk to Lee about the possibility of coming on board. So I picked up the phone. That call led to a meeting with Lee and his wife, Whitney. The fit was apparent after that. Two weeks later, I joined the firm."
A Picayune, MS native who received her undergraduate degree in Psychology at the University of Southern Mississippi, Bridget also came under the influence of her uncle, the famed Mississippi family law attorney, L.C. James, from whom she learned a great deal. "He was a very well-known and successful divorce attorney in Jackson," says Bridget. "He's the reason I wanted to go into law in the first place, to be honest. I clerked for him while attending Mississippi College School of Law, and eventually went to work for him after graduation. I loved that chapter of my career--he was absolutely brilliant and extremely interesting to be around. I learned so much from him--he was an incredible litigator."
Bridget moved on next to practice corporate law at a large, well-known Jackson firm. "I enjoyed it and certainly learned a lot while there," she says, "but, as a mother, it became harder and harder to balance my practice and familial responsibilities under such stringent requirements that large law firms demand. Because Gladden & Ingram is a boutique defense firm that affords a non-corporate environment, it allows each of us to put our families first.”
Bridget goes on to say how much she enjoys participating in a profession that she loves, while also being able to be a very hands-on mom to her daughter. “We have more freedom regarding our work/life balance at Gladden & Ingram and I truly believe that makes us all better attorneys. It’s the ‘unicorn’ firm!” she laughs.
Having studied psychology in college gives her an advantage as a lawyer and litigator, Bridget says. "I think I can read people better because of my schooling," she says. "Personally, it helps me figure out the 'why' behind actions and motives, and that certainly helps in the courtroom and when preparing our cases. I consider myself an observer. Whether that's just my personality--or my training--I think I can sum up a person fairly accurately in a short amount of time. I’ve honed the ability to 'see' and 'see through,' as well as pick up on nuances."
Though recently rekindling her love for reading (especially as a new admirer of Natchez author, Greg Iles), most of Bridget’s free time is spent on the sidelines of her daughter's soccer games. “I love following my daughter's soccer activities and supporting her," she says. Bridget’s daughter, Avery Kobs, is a Junior at Jackson Academy and has played on the Varsity team since Eighth grade. Avery is also a member of the International Futbol Club 06/07 Premier soccer team, for which Bridget has served as Manager for the past three years. “Club soccer is a year-round activity, so that keeps us both pretty busy,” Bridget says.
Bridget says of the first aforementioned downtime pleasure, "I set a goal for myself to read more books over the last year or so, especially those written by Mississippi authors, and I have gotten hooked on Iles' novels.” Bridget’s original goal was to read twelve books a year. She surpassed that goal in 2021 and is on track to do so again in 2022. In addition to reading and watching her daughter play soccer, Bridget also enjoys filling her downtime with exercise (weightlifting, walking or HIIT), listening to podcasts, or binging a good Netflix series.
Bridget is married to Brent Harris, an offshore production executive, and her family lives in Madison, Mississippi, where they also attend Pinelake Church.
