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Hope Mississippi
A bimonthly podcast educating Mississippians about the needs of fellow citizens, encouraging residents to work together to change the trajectory of our families and children, and sharing success stories.
Hope Mississippi
MS State Bar 7 - Justice | Faith | Rural Renewal
At the 2025 Mississippi Bar Convention, former State Supreme Court Justice Dawn Beam sat down with more than twenty leaders in law, policy, and public service—capturing three days of extraordinary conversations for a special seven-part series of her Hope Mississippi podcast. This is Part Seven, the final installment in this series until 2026. Meet us in Biloxi!
What does hope look like inside a justice system? It looks like a judge protecting a child’s settlement. It looks like a high school student arguing a case from memory with confidence and grace. It looks like a prosecutor praying with a family before trial and still fighting for accountability. In this episode, we sit down with attorney Kye C. Handy and prosecutor Ian Baker to explore the moments that turn curiosity into a calling—and a calling into service.
Kye C. Handy invites us into her path from Jackson to private practice, guided by female judges who modeled excellence and care. She pulls back the curtain on the Young Lawyers Division: HBCU outreach, statewide mock trial, and pro bono efforts that meet real needs. If you’ve ever wondered how to spark the next generation of advocates, you’ll hear a practical blueprint: show up in classrooms, bring students into courtrooms, and say yes to the small invitations that lead to big changes.
Ian Baker shares how faith informs his work without softening his resolve. Accountability and compassion can coexist when victims’ voices are honored and defendants are treated as people. He reflects on career pivots, a family rooted in public service, and why Mississippi offers space for anyone to lead boldly. Together we confront an urgent challenge—the rural lawyer shortage—and outline collaborative fixes so wills, guardianships, and small business needs don’t require a long drive and a longer wait.
If you care about justice, youth opportunities, or community leadership, this episode offers a grounded and hopeful roadmap. Subscribe, share with a friend who’s considering law school or small-town practice, and leave a review to help more Mississippians find their path to serve.
Join us for new episodes on the 1st and 15th of each month as we continue sharing stories of transformation from across Mississippi. Each story reminds us that when we contribute our unique gifts, Mississippi rises together.
Hope Mississippi's Mission: The sobering reality remains: one in four Mississippi children lives in poverty, and one in five experiences food insecurity. These statistics aren't just numbers—they're our collective challenge. Through these conversations, we discover that Mississippi's transformation occurs through individual commitments to mentor, encourage, and be present for others. The small acts of hope accumulate into the broader "miracles" we celebrate.
One in four kids live in poverty.
SPEAKER_02:One in five for food deprived.
SPEAKER_03:Build collaborations and build hope with those who are struggling.
SPEAKER_00:Hope, Mississippi.
SPEAKER_06:Hello, and welcome back to the Mississippi Bar. I have attorney, Kai Handy, here with me. Welcome, Kai. Tell me a little bit about yourself.
SPEAKER_07:So I am originally from Jackson. I went to Tougaloo for undergrad, and from there I went to Ole Miss for law school. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Ole Miss, editor of the yearbook and law journal and everything in between. And from there, I've been in private practice.
SPEAKER_06:Well, you go, girl. That's great. And so you're in private practice in the Hines County. Yes. Okay. What area do you practice in?
SPEAKER_07:So commercial litigation, mostly toxic tort, deceptive trade practices, and complicated e-discovery matters.
SPEAKER_06:Wow. You are a smart, smart girl. I can tell that. The computers do most of the work. Good. I say girl, I'm 61, so anybody younger than me, that's just, you know, but you are a lovely person. Thanks well. Tell me about growing up and what brought you to law school.
SPEAKER_07:So, like I said, I'm a native of Jackson. I grew up in Jackson for the most part. We moved to Clinton with WorldCom. So I've lived in Hines County the majority of my life. I got the opportunity when I was in college to shadow attorney Sherry Flowers. She was a longtime family friend. She is deceased now, but she was amazing. And she knew I had an interest in law school. And so one summer she was like, okay, well, I will see you every day this summer. So I came, shadowed her to court, and we were in Hines County Chancery Court. And while there, we were in front of Judge Wise. And she was like, Judge Wise, she wants to be a lawyer one day. She's shadowing me. And Judge Wise goes, Well, sounds good. We'll see you tomorrow afternoon.
SPEAKER_06:Judge Wise and Judge Owens were two huge mentors of mine. They took the bench about 1989 in that area. And they're just phenomenal women, weren't they? Yes.
SPEAKER_07:Yes. And so I got the opportunity to work with both of them that summer. I will say it did let me know Chancery was not necessarily going to be my favorite thing, but it did solidify a want that I had had since a child to be a lawyer.
SPEAKER_06:And their character, they're retired. I c I'd say were. They're still out there, and I hope they are having a blast in retirement with grandkids and things. Yes. There were mothers, they were lawyers, they were so many things, but they were always professional and helped me and other lawyers to develop those qualities.
SPEAKER_07:Yes, no, they were, it was great practicing in front of them. You know, I went from clerking for a summer out of nowhere to practicing in front of them and really seeing the commitment that they had to a lot of what I ended up doing was minor settlements. So seeing the commitment that they had to children, making sure that, you know, if a child was injured in an accident, that they were getting their fair share of money, that this money was going to be protected and used for that child, and seeing that they really actually cared about the cases that came into their courtroom every day.
SPEAKER_06:One thing we do at the bar is we celebrate our rich heritage that so many people came before us that impacted our lives. And we celebrate that and remember that. So shout out to Judge Wise and Judge Owens and so many judges, Judge Deborah Gambrel, who's a dear friend of mine, but so many females that helped us along the way. You went to law school. Tell me how you ended up where you are now.
SPEAKER_07:Well, that is a long journey. So I've been practicing 10 years, which I know seems like a very short amount of time. But in that 10 years, I've actually been on the YLD board for about nine of those 10 years. Now, YLD is what? The Young Lawyers Division of the Mississippi Bar. Okay, and what do they do? So the Young Lawyers Division is any attorney who is 37 or younger, or within your first three years of practice, if you're over 37. I like to say that we are the workhorse of the bar. That's true. We are the ones who are putting on a lot of the pro bono events. We did a Wheels for Hero. We have done our HBCU days where we kind of go around to the different schools, tell them what the practice of law is about, different areas of the law that you can go into, how to apply to law school. We also do the high school mock trial competition, which is a statewide competition. And actually, we just found out that our winners of that competition this year went on to nationals, and they won, I think, four out of their six rounds. So we're very proud of them. They were only defeated by the number two and number six teams in the nation. Wow. So they did a great job. That's something that the young lawyers host. But I have at this point probably served on most positions on that board. I got a call that was like, hey, we know you haven't even been practicing a year, but we next upcoming bar year, we're looking for a diversity chair. And so I served two years as a diversity chair with the young lawyers. I served a year as the lawyer in every Mississippi classroom chair. I have also served as a director. I have served as the mock trial chair. I have been present-elect president, and I currently serve as immediate past president. But as of yesterday at 4 p.m., I am done. And there is a new immediate past president.
SPEAKER_06:Kai, don't get too relaxed because I am confident that you've got other areas that you're going to be working in. Let's talk a little bit. You know, one thing we need is for more young people to step out and to be lawyers. So the young lawyers division, every lawyer in a classroom, but mock trial, I'm old enough that I used to coach mock trial, and now I have lawyers that I see that were in that competition that I helped mentor. And it's like, whoop, whoop, you know, we made it. So let's talk about how mock trial plays a role in helping young people see the great things that lawyers can do.
SPEAKER_07:One of the things that I really like about the mock trial program is it is for a lot of students their first introduction to the law. And thankfully, it is a good introduction to the law. I would prefer it if these students had a positive introduction as opposed to a negative introduction to our legal system. And so this gives them a chance to, you know, work on public speaking, work on confidence, as well as meeting lawyers and judges in the system and seeing that they are normal people, just like you are, and that one day someone who looks like you who is already doing it, you can be that person.
SPEAKER_06:Absolutely. And, you know, even if you end up not being a lawyer, it helps you with communication skills and learning how to argue analytically. There are lots of things kids take away.
SPEAKER_07:Yes. No, it is a great program. And I will let you know, and I've said this multiple times, once you get to the statewide competition, some of these kids are way better than people I'm practicing with every day. They have such a presence and composure, and they're doing it without notes. You know, in the real world, we take notes up to the podium with us. Mock trial, all of it is memorized, and they are presenting an entire case with evidence, with a set of rule of evidence, rules of civil procedure that they have to follow, and they are doing it all without notes.
SPEAKER_06:Okay, Kyle, we've talked about how folks along the way encouraged you. But let's talk about hope for Mississippi and how we want to encourage Mississippians to be that hope, to encourage people to do their part. Not everybody's meant to be a lawyer. I often say with foster care, we're not all called to be foster parents, but we're all called to do something.
SPEAKER_07:So always say yes within boundaries, set your boundaries, but always say yes, try new experiences, because for all you know, that new experience could change someone else's life as well as yours.
SPEAKER_06:I could not agree more. Kai, you are just a beautiful person, and thank you so much for sharing with us Hope, Mississippi. If you've listened today, I hope that you take away that Kai is making a difference in Mississippi, but she also works to bring other folks along, and we challenge you to do the same thing. Yes, we do. Thank you.
SPEAKER_04:Hope Mississippi is your salvation.
SPEAKER_06:Hello, we're back at the Mississippi Bar, and I've snagged one more lawyer for us, Ian Baker. Welcome, Ian Baker.
SPEAKER_02:Good morning. Glad to be speaking with you.
SPEAKER_06:Well, Ian, I got to know you along the campaign trail this past year, and I know you to be a godly lawyer as well as husband and father, but I want to talk first about your upbringing. What who molded you along the way? None of us got to where we are on our own.
SPEAKER_02:Right. So obviously my parents my parents were great parents and and really valued education and and learning and pushed me to to do well in school and make that a priority. Um as far as becoming a lawyer, though, my two best friends growing up, their parents were lawyers. It's something that that sparked a little interest, but I wanted to be a football coach. But in the 11th grade, I went to the National Young Leaders Conference in Washington, DC. Uh and one of the things we did was a mock Supreme Court case. And I got assigned the part of a lawyer in that case and and had the opportunity to to argue that case at the Supreme Court. I thought to myself, hey, I I think I could do this. And so that's from that day on my plan changed from being a football coach to being a lawyer.
SPEAKER_06:You know, that's the importance of taking opportunities in the summer when you don't have that structured school to just test things and see what might be the fit. I our kids have all been those type of things, and it does have a huge impact. Well, wow, so you liked it, you felt good about it. What happened after that?
SPEAKER_02:I went on to college at Mississippi College and and was pre-law and maintained pre-law the whole time and went on to MC Law, which was a great experience for me. In candor, it wasn't my first choice. My now wife, who was my fiance at the time, was that old miss. MC ended up being the right place for me.
SPEAKER_06:You know, isn't it funny how God just leads you there? My son graduated from MC, and he didn't only get a JD from MC, he got a boatload of friends that he has continued to be with. So God's plans are perfect, right?
SPEAKER_02:They are, always. And and the same is true for me. I have a a number of very good friends from Mississippi College that I that I wouldn't have had otherwise.
SPEAKER_06:And for the record, I'm a Ole Miss grad, so I do have lots of friends from Ole Miss, but I just acknowledge that God's plans are perfect, and we say thanks be to God for that. So then you went on. Now you I know you're a prosecutor now. Have you always been a prosecutor?
SPEAKER_02:No, I have not. Right out of law school, I clerked at the uh court of appeals for Judge Myers. Then my wife was working for a a firm in Madison or Ridgeland, but I got uh a a job offer with the plaintiff's firm on the coast. And luckily her firm had a office on the coast, so she was able to transfer down to the coast, and we were both in private practice. I I on the plaintiff's side and she on the on the defense side. And then she actually served on a grand jury. At the end of her term on the grand jury, there was an opening in the DA's office, and the ADAs that had gotten to know her asked her, Hey, would you consider coming to the DA's office? And and so she did that. I thought great for her, very happy for her, but that was something I always wanted to do. And I thought that door was closed to me. But you know, God works in in amazing ways. And several years down the road, I invited the DA to a leadership conference at my church, and we just got to talking about our leadership styles and our faith and and our values. And I didn't know it, but one of the ADAs had it put in there two weeks' notice. And so that conversation turned into a job offer, and that was 100% God working in his time.
SPEAKER_06:You know, we're in Mississippi, and faith really drives a lot of what we do here. I certainly God has directed my path. Let's talk just a little bit about that. I know your pri your pastor, Jimmy Stewart, he is just the a wonderful, wonderful, godly man. He is. But talk about your faith a little bit and when we talk about Hope, Mississippi, the role of your faith in all of that.
SPEAKER_02:Well, I mean, faith if it impacts everything I do. You know, I I I try to think about what I should do as a Christian in every decision that I make. You can be a prosecutor and hold people accountable and still be compassionate for them as people. And that's something that I try to do is always acknowledge that that that's a person, even though that what's best for them at this time may be punishment. I have found that an easy thing to work together with and not not not it be not it not being an impediment to doing the job.
SPEAKER_06:You know, when we talk about the judicial system and justice, it's important for lay people to understand that we have folks in the profession, prosecutors, defenders, judges, all of us at the end of the day want to do the right thing, and that we value every life. Every life has value. And so I I appreciate what you're saying. I'm gonna tell you a secret. I prosecuted one time in circuit court. I was a law student, and a little guy had stolen a chainsaw, and he was a habitual offender, which meant that if he was convicted, he would go to jail for the rest of his life, right? And when the jury came back, and I think it didn't take five minutes for them to go in there and convict him, I cried. I cried and I thought, ooh, I can't do this. But the reality is that we're not without compassion, but we're c a country and a state where there's a rule of law.
SPEAKER_02:And one thing that I think often gets somewhat overlooked in our criminal justice system because it is so, and rightly so, focused on the defendant and the defendant's rights, but there are victims, and those victims have rights, and those victims deserved to have some an advocate for them. And that's something that's important to me, and that's you know, in our office we prioritize spending a lot of time with with victims and victims' families and letting them know what's going on throughout the process. And I have many times prayed with families of victims, both before, during, and after trials. And that's always been something that is is dear to me is to be be able to not only be an advocate for them, but also maybe be an example of Christ in their life.
SPEAKER_06:Absolutely. Wow. I know that is such a blessing to folks. Let's talk about your wife and your family just a minute. You knocked it out of the ballpark just like I did.
SPEAKER_02:I did. I definitely outkicked my coverage, yes.
SPEAKER_06:Um, she's an attorney, and y'all have children together?
SPEAKER_02:Yes, we do. We have three three daughters. Yes, my wife is a Harrison County Court judge, was a prosecutor for 13 years before that. Uh, we have three daughters. Campbell, the oldest is 16. Wow. We'll be 17 soon. Middle one, Sarah, is eleven, and the youngest is Emma Kate, and she will be uh nine on the 20th.
SPEAKER_06:Let's talk about your hope for their future.
SPEAKER_02:The sky's the limit. And and one thing that makes me very proud is that they get to see how successful their mother has been. That lets them know that they can do anything, that there are no barriers to what they can do. And so I'm very proud of her and very proud of the mother she is and the example she is to our girls.
SPEAKER_06:I think of Proverbs 3, 5 and 6, that when we acknowledge God and give it all to Him, He really does direct our paths. And as a parent, you kind of feel hopeless or helpless after a time uh period because you can't make those decisions. They're the ones that are, but it's an opportunity to change the world by being a parent and sharing that hope. I know that you have lots of hopes for them, and certainly your church has played a role in molding their lives.
SPEAKER_02:It it certainly has, and it it's it's always a a proud parent moment when you see your kids make choices to to follow God, to be leaders and in the church. And you know, my my oldest daughter, she she leads in worship, she plays many instruments the piano, the cello, the guitar, and many others.
SPEAKER_06:Where'd she get that from?
SPEAKER_02:From her mother.
SPEAKER_06:Okay.
SPEAKER_02:Her mother has the music talent in our in our family, so definitely not from me. I like to sing, but people may not like to hear, you know.
SPEAKER_06:Well, you are a great leader in our state and just a godly band. And I thank you for sharing with us just a little bit the challenge to Mississippians. Be all that God would have you to be, and there'll be hope, right?
SPEAKER_02:Right. And you know, I love Mississippi, and and we sometimes get a a a, I think, wrongful, bad rap with in the rest of the country. But people can be anything and do anything they want to be in Mississippi, and Mississippi's on the rise, I believe. There's no place I'd rather be.
SPEAKER_06:Same here. Go, Mississippi. And if you're listening, go, go, go and make a difference in our state. Be that hope you want to see in our world. Thank you, Ian.
SPEAKER_02:Thank you.
SPEAKER_04:Mississippi is your salvation.
SPEAKER_06:Hillary, what a fun time we have had here at the Mississippi Bar Convention.
SPEAKER_01:You know everybody. Everybody here. It's amazing. I have never met more judges, more incredible attorneys. Just everybody who's anybody in Mississippian law is here.
SPEAKER_06:Well, you know, it it has been fun to reminisce. And um, you're sweet to say that. I I don't necessarily agree with that, but it is it has been wonderful to get reacquainted with folks, former presidents of the bar who have led the way. And I hope that when people listen to this, that they take away from it that one, we have an incredible justice system in Mississippi, and that by and large, the vast majority of people are just committed to doing the right thing.
SPEAKER_01:It's definitely a very, very much a community, people helping people. I have been licensed in a couple other states and been to bar conventions. This is very special, and this is very different from the typical.
SPEAKER_06:To our folks that are listening, have faith in the judicial system and in the system of justice. We also want to encourage young people to become lawyers, make a difference, locate in a small community where you will become a leader in that community.
SPEAKER_01:That's very important. There is a shortage of lawyers. And in my home state, I don't know what the statistic is, we will look it up. But in my home state of California, 82% of people go through the family law process without counsel. I can't imagine that.
SPEAKER_06:Well, we all need somebody to believe in us and to advocate for us. And so it's really an honor for lawyers to represent you and to help you through difficult times. And I can't tell you how fun it is to see clients five, 10, well, maybe 20 or 30 years later, and they say, You changed my life. You helped me through a difficult time. Thank you. And and that's so rewarding as a lawyer.
SPEAKER_01:I have a question for the questioner. How do you feel after interviewing 20 people at the state bar convention? And how has that forwarded your mission for Hope, Mississippi?
SPEAKER_06:Wow. Well, number one, I'm leaving here with a lot of hope. A lot of hope that we have great people in Mississippi that are determined to make a difference. I also see a challenge from leadership standpoint. One thing we need to continue to fight, fight, fight for our children and families and for education and mental health and so many areas that are in need of leadership. And so I certainly don't intend to back down, but to continue to work hard. And then three, in particular, I was approached by the president of the bar that said, we have got to do something about getting lawyers in rural areas. And so I look forward to getting back home and getting all of my efforts behind helping the legislature, local communities, the bar, the Supreme Court. I've talked to the Chief Justice here, and it's just imperative that we have lawyers across the state. You shouldn't have to go to the largest city to find somebody to do a will or basic legal things. In addition, lawyers are the backbone of the community, and we need your leadership. If you're thinking about going to law, consider going to a small community. I promise you, I recently established a law firm in a small community, and my community has embraced me, and it's been so rewarding.
SPEAKER_01:Amazing. So I am again very honored to be able to walk through this process with you. And I think just the fact that you are here at the State Bar Convention, you are the first person to have a live podcast booth going on. Everyone is fascinated by what you're doing. And I know that just by being here and talking to so many different people from so many areas of law and so many levels or so many parts of their career that you have indeed brought hope to Mississippi. And I look forward to another 25 episodes before December.
SPEAKER_06:Absolutely. You know, Hillary, we all have our gifts, and you have just been fabulous in helping me with this. And I could not have done it without you. I typed my notes on a typewriter when I was in law school. I have a limited technology. But if you're out there and you have a dream, there are people like Hillary that can help make that dream come true. So keep pushing, keep fighting, keep doing all you can to spread hope across Mississippi. Amen.
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