Parker Y. Wiseman

Of Counsel

Jackson
T: 601.351.2435
F: 601.351.2424

Parker Wiseman concentrates his practice in disaster recovery and government services where he employs his experience with the Mississippi Attorney General's Office and his tenure as the mayor of Starkville, Mississippi.

Professional Biography

Mr. Wiseman concentrates his practice in disaster recovery and government services where he applies his extensive working knowledge of federal and state laws gained from years of experience advising clients on procurement and contracting under federal grants and in federal administrative appeal and arbitration proceedings. As a former leader of a midsize municipality, he oversaw the municipality's disaster preparedness, federal floodplain compliance, and federal grant management. He represents public and not-for-profit entities, contractors, and industry associations to support grant eligibility and federal procurement compliance.

In his representation of U.S. territories, states, counties, cities, and private non-profits, Mr. Wiseman has aided in the recovery of over $65 million in FEMA Public Assistance funds disputed before the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals. He has also helped clients recover over $30 million in FEMA Public Assistance funds through the agency's administrative appeals process. Mr. Wiseman regularly advises public and private sector clients on the federal requirements for procurement, contracting, and contract management under the Uniform Rules for Procurements Under Grants.

Mr. Wiseman's experience also includes bond transactions, tax increment financing, historic and brownfield redevelopment tax credits, tax abatements, land use, and industrial and commercial real estate development. In addition to an abundance of policy experience, he has experience in criminal law in the areas of health care and long term care.

Prior to joining Baker Donelson, Mr. Wiseman served in the Mississippi Attorney General's office as the Special Assistant Attorney General where he pursued Medicaid fraud and vulnerable person abuses for prosecution or settlement. In this role, he reviewed 120 cases for prosecution and/or civil settlement and led or aided in the successful prosecution of 34 felony Medicaid fraud, abuse, neglect, and exploitation cases.

Before joining the Mississippi Attorney General's Office, Mr. Wiseman served as the mayor of Starkville, Mississippi for eight years. As mayor of one of the fastest growing cities in Mississippi, he oversaw 350+ million in private development, helped modernize the city's broadband infrastructure, and led over $30 million in capital improvements including the construction of a new city hall and police headquarters.

Represented a Florida electric cooperative in recovering more than $3.5 million in previously denied FEMA Public Assistance before the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals.
Aided a U.S. territory in recovering more than $50 million in FEMA Public Assistance funding disputed before the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals.
Advised a Kansas electric cooperative in its administrative appeal to FEMA which resulted in the cooperative recovery of more than $30 million in previously denied FEMA Public Assistance funding.
Represented a North Carolina private non-profit drainage association before the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals in a proceeding that resulted in the recovery of more than $3 million in previously denied FEMA Public Assistance funding.
Aided a state emergency management agency in recovering more than $11 million in previously denied FEMA Public Assistance before the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals.
Coordinated numerous multi-million-dollar general obligation bond issuances and refunds among outside bond counsel, underwriters, rating agencies, elected officials, and city staff.
Led and executed a complex $6.7 million certificate of participation issuance on a lease and lease-back transaction among a third-party lessor, private construction company, outside bond counsel, underwriter, rating agency, elected officials, and city staff.
Evaluated and vetted numerous tax increment financing proposals, advised other elected officials on the merit of such proposals, and executed approved tax increment financing deals.
Led and coordinated the creation of local historic tax credit eligible districts among the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, local stakeholders, and elected officials.
Led the successful application and execution of a $400,000 Brownfield Assessment grant to assess brownfield sites for redevelopment throughout the Starkville, Mississippi community.
Evaluated and advised on one of the first successful Mississippi Brownfield Redevelopment Tax Credit proposals.
Served at the forefront of the creation of the Golden Triangle Link, including analysis and advisement on the viability of establishing a regional development authority and negotiation of contract terms among regional leaders, and persuaded local elected officials to adopt the terms of the agreement (resulting regional industrial development organization was featured on 60 Minutes on December 4, 2016).
Coordinated Medicaid fraud investigations with criminal investigators, auditors, the Mississippi Division of Medicaid, and the U.S. Medicaid Office of Inspector General, and ultimately decided appropriate charges and/or civil settlement offers.

Member – Board of Directors, Greater Starkville Development Partnership (2009 – 2017)
Member – Board of Directors, Oktibbeha County Economic Development Authority (2009 – 2017)
Member – Board of Directors, Mississippi Municipal League (2010 – 2017)
Member – Board of Directors, Volunteer Starkville (2011 – 2013)
Member – Starkville/Oktibbeha County Excel by 5 Coalition (2011 – 2013)
Member – Board of Directors, Golden Triangle Boys and Girls Club (2011 – 2013)
Member – Board of Directors, North Mississippi Industrial Development Association (2009 – 2012)
Member – Steering Committee on the Creation of the Golden Triangle Link (2012)

"FEMA Denies Public Assistance to County Government for Contact Tracing, Social Distancing, and Teleworking to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19" (October 2021)

"Disaster Recovery, Mitigation, & Resilience: Untangling the Bureaucracy to Maximize Results," 2024 Mississippi Municipal League Conference (June 2024)
"Be Prepared When Natural Disaster Strikes: Navigating the FEMA Public Assistance Program," 90th Annual Mississippi Municipal League Conference (July 2021)

Baker Donelson Adds Parker Y. Wiseman to Disaster Recovery and Government Services Team (March 3, 2020)

Practices

Industries

Education

University of Mississippi School of Law, J.D., 2008, magna cum laude
- Office Manager – Mississippi Law Journal (2007 – 2008)
- President – University of Mississippi School of Law Student Body (2007 – 2008)
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Government, M.P.A., 2005
- Vice President – University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Graduate and Professional Student Body (2004 – 2005)
Mississippi State University, B.A., 2003, cum laude
- President – Mississippi State University Student Body (2002 – 2003)

Admissions

Mississippi, 2008

Featured Media

FEMA Denies Public Assistance to County Government for Contact Tracing, Social Distancing, and Teleworking to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19

Publication / October 28, 2021

Baker Donelson Adds Parker Y. Wiseman to Disaster Recovery and Government Services Team

Press Release / March 3, 2020

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Baker Donelson is a national law firm with more than 650 attorneys and public policy advisors representing more than 30 practice areas to serve a wide range of legal needs. Clients receive knowledgeable guidance from experienced, multi-disciplined industry and client service teams, all seamlessly connected across 24 offices in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.