Jones Walker Logo
  • News & Insights
  • Professionals
  • Services
  • News & Insights
  • Professionals
  • Services

  • Firm
  • Offices
  • Careers
  • Events
  • Media Center
  • Blogs
  • Contact

  • text

W. Whitaker
Rayner

Position
Partner
Office
Jackson

Whit Rayner is a partner in the Litigation Practice Group and co-leader of the intellectual property team. He focuses on copyright and trademark registration and protection, software licensing, and intellectual property litigation and prosecution.


Whit provides counsel and advice to notable large domestic and international clients, including outdoor lifestyle brands, technology companies, and financial institutions. He also represents clients in commercial litigation and contract disputes.

Whit is active in many professional intellectual property organizations including the International Trademark Association (INTA) and The Mississippi Bar, Section of Intellectual Property Law. He is a two-time past chair of the Intellectual Property Section of the Mississippi Bar and is a member of the Copyright Committee of INTA, having previously served multiple terms as a member of the US Legislation Committee and a member of the INTA Panel of Neutrals. In addition to his professional roles, Whit has spoken regularly at the University of Mississippi CLE programs and Intellectual Property, Entertainment & Sports Law Section teleseminars hosted by The Mississippi Bar, and mentors entrepreneurs with Innovate Mississippi. He is also the Mississippi editor of the INTA publication State Trademark and Unfair Competition Law, and the IP chapter of West Publishing’s Encyclopedia of Mississippi Law.

Whit was recently named “Lawyer of the Year,” Litigation- Intellectual Property, and “Lawyer of the Year” Copyright Law, in Jackson, Mississippi by Best Lawyers. Since 2001, he has been recognized annually by Best Lawyers in America in the areas of Copyright Law; Information Technology Law; Litigation – Intellectual Property and Trademark Law.

Noteworthy

  • Best Lawyers®, "Lawyer of the Year," Litigation – Intellectual Property, Jackson, Mississippi (2017, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2024 and 2026)
  • Best Lawyers®, "Lawyer of the Year," Copyright Law, Jackson, Mississippi (2016, 2020, 2024 and 2026)
  • Mid-South Super Lawyers, Intellectual Property (listed in 2006, 2011, 2013, and 2015-2018)
  • The Best Lawyers in America®, Copyright Law; Information Technology Law; Litigation – Intellectual Property; Trademark Law (listed annually since 2001)
  • The Best of the U.S. LLC, selected as one of the best Intellectual Property lawyers in the United States (2006)
  • Leadership Jackson (2004–2005)
  • Leadership Mississippi (1998–1999)
  • Mississippi Business Journal, "Top in Tech"
  • AV Preeminent ® Peer Review Rating in Martindale-Hubbell

Publications

  • "What's Important About Federal Registration of Bank Trademarks," Jones Walker LLP Banking & Financial Services Newsletter, September 29, 2022
  • "Supreme Court Decision Impacts Copyright Registration," Jones Walker LLP Intellectual Property Client Alert, March 6, 2019
  • "DMCA Agent Designation Required By December 31, 2017," Jones Walker LLP Intellectual Property Client Alert, December 2017
  • "Recent Changes in Federal Law Encourage Registering Intellectual Property Rights Early," Pointe Innovation, July 8, 2013

Presentations

  • "Copyright Primer from the Private Sector," STOPfakes Roadshow, Jackson, Mississippi, March 19, 2024
  • "Intellectual Property, A Practitioner's Response," STOPfakes Roadshow, Jackson, Mississippi, March 19, 2024
  • "Municipality Battle Ground: Trade Secrets Versus Public Records," 2022 Municipal Spring Law Conference, April 1, 2022
  • "Copyrights: Happenings in Congress and the Copyright Office," Intellectual Property, Entertainment & Sports Law Section Teleseminar, December 4, 2019
  • "Who Says the Supreme Court Doesn't Care About IP?: A Two Part Series," Intellectual Property, Entertainment and Sports Law Teleseminar; The Mississippi Bar Intellectual Property Section, November 14, 2017
  • "Trademark Practice Tips," The Mississippi Bar Intellectual Property, Entertainment and Sports Law Conference, Jackson, Mississippi, May 20, 2015
  • "Intellectual Property Issues for the General Practitioner," 2015 Mississippi Law Update, April 24, 2015
  • "2014 Trade Secret Year in Review," Mid-South Intellectual Property Institute, February 6, 2014
  • "Avoiding Vendor Management Issues" Seminar, New Orleans, Louisiana, Jackson, Mississippi, and Birmingham, Alabama, 2013
  • "What Every General Practitioner Should Know About Intellectual Property Law," 2013 Mississippi Law Update, University of Mississippi Center for Continuing Legal Education, May 3, 2013

Memberships

  • Capital Area Bar Association
  • Federal Bar Association
  • Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership, Board of Directors (2000–2023), Board President (2006–2007)
  • International Trademark Association, US Copyright Committee (2015–2018); (2023–2025), Panel of Neutrals (2000–2006)
  • Mississippi Secretary of State's Business Reform Committee – Trademark Law Study Group, Co-Chairman (2009–2010)
  • The Mississippi Bar, Chairman, Section of Intellectual Property Law (2001–2002)
  • Willowood Developmental Center, Board of Directors (1989–2019), Board President (2003–2005)
  • U.S.A. International Ballet Competition, President
Jackson
Suite 300
3100 North State Street
Jackson, MS 39216
D: 601.949.4724
F: 601.949.4680
Emailwrayner@joneswalker.com

Education

  • Washington and Lee University School of Law
    JD, magna cum laude, 1986
    Order of the Coif; Managing Editor, Washington and Lee Law Review, 1985-1986
  • Millsaps College
    BA, magna cum laude, 1983

Bar Admissions

  • Mississippi

Court Admissions

  • US Supreme Court
  • US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
  • US District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi
  • US District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi

Related Practices

  • Intellectual Property
  • Litigation

Related Industries

  • Technology
Related News & Insights
Type
Press Release
Title
160 Jones Walker Attorneys Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026
Date
September 2, 2025
Link
Read More
Type
AI Law and Policy Navigator
Title
Why Anthropic’s Copyright Settlement Changes the Rules for AI Training
Date
August 29, 2025
Caption
Anthropic's settlement came after a mixed ruling on the “fair use” where it potentially faced massive piracy damages for downloading...
Link
Read More
Type
Firm News
Title
149 Jones Walker Attorneys Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America© 2025
Date
August 15, 2024
Link
Read More
Type
Firm News
Title
Rayner Presents at STOPfakes Roadshow on Intellectual Property Rights
Date
March 22, 2024
Link
Read More
Type
Press Release
Title
145 Jones Walker Attorneys Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America© 2024
Date
August 21, 2023
Link
Read More
Type
Firm News
Title
Rayner Participates in Innovate Mississippi's CoBuilder's Pitch Day
Date
August 28, 2022
Link
Read More
Sign Up For Alerts
© 2025 Jones Walker LLP. All Rights Reserved.
PrivacyDisclaimerAvident Advisors
A LexMundi Member

This website uses cookies to deliver a better experience. By continuing on this website, you consent to our use of cookies.