Charles M. Merkel, III
Member
Email: cmerkel3@merkel-cocke.com
Charles M. Merkel, III was born and raised in Clarksdale, MS. He attended the University of Mississippi for his undergraduate and law degrees, graduating with honors both times. While at Ole’ Miss as an undergraduate, he was awarded the Taylor Medal for English; this is the University’s highest academic honor, awarded to fewer than 1% of the student body. Upon graduation, he received the coveted position as a judicial law clerk for US District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi, Jackson Division.
Mr. Merkel joined Merkel & Cocke, P.A. in 2002, where he works with clients who have sustained serious injuries because of negligence, medical malpractice and defective products.
Mr. Merkel is a former board member of North Mississippi Rural Legal Services, and a member of St. George’s Episcopal Church. He is an avid outdoorsman and hunter, and spends his free time with his family.
Areas of Practice
- Negligence
- Medical Malpractice
- Products Liability
Bar Admissions
- Mississippi, 1998
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit, 1998
- U.S. District Court Northern District of Mississippi, 1998
- U.S. District Court Southern District of Mississippi, 1998
Education
- B.A., summa cum laude, University of Mississippi, 1995
- Taylor Medal Award Winner: English
- J.D., cum laude, University of Mississippi School of Law, Oxford, Mississippi, 1998
- Chancellor’s Scholar
- Moot Court Board Member
- “Best Written Brief Award,” 1996
Professional Associations and Memberships
- American Board of Trial Advocates
- Coahoma County Bar Association
- Mississippi Association for Justice
- American Association for Justice
Honors and Awards
- AV Preeminent® by Martindale-Hubbell®
- Fellow of the Mississippi Bar, 2025
- National Academy of Personal Injury Attorneys, Top 10 Attorney, 2018
- Lawyers of Distinction, 2017
- Super Lawyers, 2016 – Present
- Super Lawyers “Rising Stars,” 2008–13
- Best Lawyers in America, Plaintiff’s Medical Malpractice, 2012 – Present
- Lawyer of the Year, 2020, Memphis region
- National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Lawyers, 2014 – Present
- Top 40 under 40, 2012
- Former Board Member of Mississippi Association for Justice
Fraternities/Sororities