Prior to joining HII, Julie was in private practice on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, where she was a partner at the Brunini Law Firm where she focused her practice on commercial litigation.  In addition to her legal practice, before joining HII, Julie also worked as a communication consultant with Communication Counsel of America, Inc. based out of Dallas, Texas.  Through her work with CCA, Julie prepared witnesses for Congressional hearings and worked with companies to develop crisis communication plans.  She worked with utility companies in various states preparing witnesses for rate-increase cases pending before the Public Service Commission or the respective state’s equivalent governmental authority. Julie also worked with clients to strengthen their interpersonal communication skills, including their nonverbal communication.

Julie is the Immediate Past Chair of the Association of Corporate Council’s Compliance and Ethics Network.  In 2016, she was recognized by ACC as one of ACC’s international “Top 10 30-Somethings.”  Julie has been recognized by “Best Lawyers in America” in the field of Commercial Litigation and Construction Litigation and by “Super Lawyers” for Business Litigation.  She is Past President and Secretary of The Mississippi Bar Association Young Lawyers Division and currently serves on the Mississippi Bar Association’s Litigation Executive Committee.

Julie has always been an active member of her community.  She is Chair of the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce. She is a past President of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce. She is a graduate of Leadership Mississippi and Leadership Gulf Coast.  Julie is actively involved in the American Red Cross where she served as Chair of the Southeast Mississippi Board of Directors for several years.  She is also President-Elect of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community Foundation Board of Directions and President of the University of Mississippi School of Law Alumni Association.

Julie received her B.A. in Speech Communication, Highest Honors, from the University of Southern Mississippi.  She received her J.D., cum laude, from the University of Mississippi School of Law, where she was Editor-in-Chief of the Mississippi Law Journal.