ATLANTA, Georgia, Aug. 8 -- Alston and Bird, a law firm, issued the following news release: Alston & Bird represented The First Bancshares in its $1.2 billion merger with Renasant Corporation, combining two of the largest banks headquartered in Mississippi and creating a six-state Southeast banking franchise with approximately $25 billion in total assets. The all-stock transaction is expected to be completed in the first half of 2025, subject to customary closing conditions. Representing The   more