Meet the District Attorney

Angel Myers McIlrath

Angel Myers McIlrath is District Attorney for the 19^th Circuit Court District, serving the citizens of Jackson, George and Greene Counties.   She is the first woman elected to serve in this role.  Angel has served her community as a prosecutor since 2006.  Prior to joining the District Attorney’s office, Angel worked as an associate attorney at Daniel, Coker, Horton and Bell. She earned her law degree from Mississippi College School of Law and was admitted to the Mississippi Bar in 2004.  While in law school, Angel earned the Gayle and Victor Mavar Scholarship, the Marble, Frisby, Griffin, and Gaines Scholarship, and was a Joey Phillips Award Finalist. Angel attended undergraduate at the University of Mississippi and completed her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science at the University of Southern Mississippi. Angel is a member of the Mississippi Bar Association where she served on the Board of Bar Commissioners from 2019 to 2022, the Unlicensed Practice of Law committee, 2023 Summer School Planning committee, the Bar President Elect Nomination Committee, Chair of the 2024 Summer School Planning Committee, and 2024-2025 Public Information Committee. This year Angel was appointed to the Mississippi Bar Complaint Tribunal by Mississippi Supreme Court Chief Justice Michael Randolph. The Mississippi Bar has recognized Angel with the 2025 Distinguished Service Award. Angel is a member of the Jackson County Bar Association, the National District Attorney’s Association, the Association of Professionals Solving the Abuse of Children (APSAC) and the Mississippi Prosecutors Association.  She currently serves on the Mississippi Prosecutors Association Board of Directors and Legislative Committee.  She previously served in the roles of President, Vice-President, Secretary/Treasurer. As a member of the Association’s legislative committee, Angel has been integral in drafting and lobbying for MPA sponsored legislation, including the Lonnie Smith Act, which amended the child abuse laws to better protect children, and a number of other laws making our community safer. She has also served as a member of the Attorney General’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force. Angel is a life member of the Biloxi-Ocean Springs Junior Auxiliary. She is also a member of the Jackson County Republican Women’s Club and the Duchess Club of Ocean Springs.  Angel is an advocate for protecting children and speaks on this topic to local organizations and parent groups. She also trains law enforcement, attorneys and medical professionals on various subjects concerning physical and sexual abuse of children, exploitation of children, constitutional law, and best practices in criminal investigations. In 2016, Angel was the recipient of the Success Women’s Conference Woman of Achievement in Government Award.  The United Way of Jackson County recognized Angel with the 2023 Community Game Changer Award. Last year, Angel received the 2024 One Coast Community Leader Award. 

Angel has spent her career fighting to protect children.  When her own daughter and only child, Sophia Ann Myers, was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer (DIPG), Angel fought for Sophia in her life and continues to fight for Sophia after her death. In 2018, Angel founded the SoSo Strong Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation to honor Sophia’s life, to support other pediatric brain cancer families and to find a cure for this disease.  Since its inception, the Foundation has raised one million dollars to be invested in pediatric brain cancer research and patient services.  SoSo Strong has funded studies at Dana Faber Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, and the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan.  The Foundation helps fund the DIPG Nurse Navigator Program, provides financial assistance to help families while their children are battling brain cancer and helps pay for children’s funerals. Angel is married to the love of her life, Scott McIlrath. They reside in Ocean Springs where they attend Mosaic Church.