Business, Culture and Media 2022

Pascagoula-based attorney Jimmy Heidelberg is a name most every political figure and policymaker across the state knows and trusts for his straight-forward, no-nonsense advice. He has served the public as a member of the Governor’s Advisory Committee on Judicial Appointments, is in his fourth term as a member of the Mississippi Oil & Gas Board, and a six time member of the United States District Court Magistrate SelectionCommittee. He was recently named to the Mississippi Judicial Election Oversight Committee by the Mississippi Supreme Court.

In 2021, Heidelberg was named to the University of Southern Mississippi Alumni Hall of Fame. He graduated from there in 1975 and went on to attend law school at the University of Mississippi. He then returned to Pascagoula where he has practiced law since 1977, and is the Senior Partner in his law firm. Even before graduating from law school, he was the first legal intern to present an en banc oral argument to the Mississippi Supreme Court in 1977, where he obtained the reversal of a capital murder conviction. 

Heidelberg served as legal counsel to the Mississippi Senate during the historic 2002 and 2003 Tort Reform Special Sessions, and was presented with the Mississippi Bar Distinguished Service Award in 2003. He has served as a member and officer of the Mississippi Bar Foundation and the Chair of several Mississippi Bar Committees.