Our Staff
Joan L. Lucas
General Counsel
Joan L. Lucas serves as the General Counsel for Mississippi State University and as Special Assistant Attorney General for the state of Mississippi in litigation issues involving MSU. Ms. Lucas joined the University in April of 2009, as Assistant General Counsel and was selected as General Counsel in February 2011.
Prior to joining the General Counsel's office, Ms. Lucas was an attorney in the Jackson office of Baker Donelson Bearman Caldwell and Berkowitz where she was a member of the Firm's Litigation Group. In private practice, she concentrated her practice in labor and employment, personal injury, and business tort litigation.
Ms. Lucas received her B.A. degree from the University of Mississippi in 2002 and her Juris Doctorate in 2005. While in law school, she was the trial chairman of the Moot Court Board and a member of Phi Delta Phi. She was the winner of the 2004 McGlinchey Stafford Oral Argument Competition, the winner of the 2003 Moot Court Board Oral Argument Competition, and a participant on the Vanderbilt National First Amendment Moot Court Competition team. She also was the recipient of the Hardy Law, Bowling Law, and Clayton Law Scholarships.
Ms. Lucas is a member of the Mississippi State Bar Association, the Federal Bar Association, the American Bar Association, the Oktibbeha County Bar Association, serving as President, and the Golden Triangle Young Lawyers Division. She is also a member of the National Association of College and University Attorneys.
Brandon L. Jolly
Deputy General Counsel
Brandon Jolly joined the Office of General Counsel at Mississippi State University in 2011. Prior to joining the Office of General Counsel, Mr. Jolly was in private practice with the Baker Donelson Bearman Caldwell & Berkowitz law firm. Mr. Jolly also served as a law clerk to United States District Court Judge William H. Barbour, Jr.
Mr. Jolly received his B.A., summa cum laude, in political science from Mississippi State University and his Juris Doctorate, summa cum laude, from the University of Mississippi School of Law. Mr. Jolly is a member of the National Association of College and University Attorneys and the Mississippi Bar Association. He is admitted to practice law in all federal and state courts of Mississippi and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
Dylan White
Associate General Counsel
Dylan White joined Mississippi State University as the Law Fellow in September 2015. Dylan is a native of Starkville and lifelong Bulldog. Before returning to Mississippi State he interned with Mississippi’s 16th District’s District Attorney’s Office as well as the 1st District Chancery Court.
Dylan graduated from Mississippi State in 2011 where he received a BBA in Finance along with a Minor in Spanish. He received his Juris Doctorate from Penn State University in 2014. During his undergraduate studies, Dylan acted as a Business Ambassador and an Executive Member of the Interfraternity Council. In law school, Dylan was a Dean’s Scholarship recipient and Trial Advocacy student.
Dylan is a member of the American and Mississippi Bar Associations as well as a member of the Golden Triangle Young Lawyers Association. He is licensed to practice law in all state courts.
Lylee Dodson
Assistant General Counsel
Lylee Dodson joined the Office of General Counsel in 2023 as Assistant General Counsel. After years in private practice in Florida, Lylee returned to Mississippi in 2021 after accepting a position in the Dean of Students Office at Mississippi State University, where she worked in the areas of Student Conduct and Care & Concern.
Lylee graduated from Vanderbilt University in 2002 with a B.S. in Human and Organizational Development and a second major in Art History. She received her Juris Doctorate from Mississippi College School of Law in 2007.
Lylee is admitted to practice in all federal and state courts in Mississippi and the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. She is also admitted to practice in all state courts in Florida and is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Family and Dependency Mediator and Arbitrator.
Jeremy Clay
Director of Contract Administration
Jeremy Clay joined the Office of General Counsel in 2023 as Director of Contract Administration. Before joining the Office of General Counsel, Jeremy led MSU’s Office of Technology Management, where he focused on capturing, protecting, managing, and accelerating the commercialization of innovations generated by MSU researchers.
Jeremy graduated twice from Mississippi State University, receiving a B.S. in Wildlife Science in 2004 and a Master of Public Policy in 2021. He received his Juris Doctorate from Mississippi College in 2009.
Jeremy is a licensed patent attorney admitted to practice before the US Patent and Trademark Office, as well as the federal and state courts in Mississippi. In addition to his legal accomplishments, Jeremy has a diverse background that includes managing his own business, River City Asphalt Maintenance, and serving as a biologist and GIS specialist for the United States Army Corps of Engineers.
Duski Hale
Senior Legal Administrator and Director of Licensing
Duski Hale joined the MSU Office of General Counsel and Trademark Licensing in August 2018 as a Paralegal/Licensing Assistant. Duski served as the Public Records Custodian, managed social media marketing for the Licensing Program, and worked closely with the University’s licensing agency to promote the licensing program at Mississippi State.
In her current position, Mrs. Hale directs, manages, and supervises the administrative operations of the Office of General Counsel and the Trademark Licensing Program for the university.
Duski is a Mississippi native who lived in western Kentucky and Brentwood, Tennessee, for 25 years. Prior to joining the Office of General Counsel, Duski owned and operated her own catering and event company in western Kentucky.
For 12 years, Duski was a member of and served as an officer and president of the Mayfield Graves County Board of Realtors. She was also employed by Acree and Associates Realty. In 2015 she was named Association Executive for the Mayfield Graves County Board of Realtors and Kentucky Realtors. During her time in that position, she was responsible for branding and licensing compliance, development of a strategic plan, as well as MGCBR compliance with the Core Standards of the National Association of Realtors. Duski comes to us with experience in dealing with real estate and mortgage laws; federal, local and state Housing Authority laws; legislative polling, lobbying and advocacy; and tax exemption laws.
Caitlin Rackley
Paralegal/Associate Director of Licensing
Caitlin Rackley joined the Office of General Counsel in October of 2019 and currently serves as Paralegal and Associate Licensing Director.
Caitlin's journey in Starkville began in 2009 when she enrolled as a student at Mississippi State University. Following her time as a student, Caitlin transitioned into a successful career as a Realtor in Starkville. During her tenure in real estate, Caitlin honed her expertise in real estate and mortgage laws, facilitating numerous purchases and sales for her clients.
In her current role within the Office of General Counsel, Caitlin supports the legal team and serves as the custodian of public records, ensuring compliance with legal requirements. Additionally, she collaborates with the university's licensing agency to protect and market the institution's brand.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Caitlin is involved in the local community. She served as an ambassador for the Greater Starkville Development Partnership, actively contributing to the growth and development of the area. Additionally, Caitlin was a dedicated member of the Junior Auxiliary of Starkville and actively participates in community initiatives through First Presbyterian Church and several other organizations.
Anna Kate Moeller
Legal-Licensing Coordinator, Office of General Counsel and Trademark Licensing
Anna Kate Moeller joined the Office of General Counsel and Trademark Licensing team in January 2025 and currently serves as Legal-Licensing Coordinator.
A proud alumna of Mississippi State University, Anna Kate earned her degree in Integrated Digital Marketing and is now pursuing her Master’s in Business Administration at MSU. During her time as a student, she held multiple leadership roles across campus, including serving as a Marketing Graduate Assistant with the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and as the Multimedia Coordinator for New Maroon Camp.
Deeply passionate about Mississippi State, Anna Kate is dedicated to supporting the university’s legal and licensing teams in protecting and promoting MSU’s brand.
Brett Harvey
Associate General Counsel and Director of Regulatory Compliance
Brett Harvey serves as Associate General Counsel and Director of Regulatory Compliance, overseeing compliance in areas including the Americans with Disabilities Act, HIPAA and other healthcare regulations, the Clery Act, and the Drug Free Schools Act. He also oversees the university’s policy development and training in a range of areas including Title IX, Title VII, FERPA and other privacy regulations, and the Violence Against Women Act.
Brett serves as the university’s ADA Coordinator and HIPAA Privacy Officer and chairs the Campus Access Committee. He enjoys teaching courses on law and higher ed in MSU’s College of Education and serving as coach of MSU’s national champion debate team. He is a graduate of Mississippi College and Harvard Law School and lives in Starkville.
Joy Graves
Associate General Counsel
Joy Graves joined the Office of General Counsel in 2025, after serving in various compliance roles at MSU since 2014. Prior to her work at MSU, Ms. Graves was a partner at Perry, Winfield & Wolfe, P.A., where her practice focused on employment litigation and insurance coverage matters. Before returning to Starkville to join Perry, Winfield & Wolfe, she was in private practice in Jackson, Birmingham, and Columbus and served as Assistant General Counsel at the University of Southern Mississippi. She was also a law clerk for the Honorable E. Grady Jolly on the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Ms. Graves received her B.A., summa cum laude, in Government from Wofford College and her J.D., summa cum laude, from the University of Mississippi School of Law. While at Wofford, she was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. She is a member of the National Association of College and University Attorneys and the Mississippi Bar. She is admitted to practice law in all federal and state courts of Mississippi, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court.
