Category Archives: General Legal

General Legal, Opinion

Judging the Judge

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There are a smattering of sites devoted to ostracizing a few select judges. These usually pop up when one party feels so aggrieved that they decide to let the whole world know about it. There is nowhere online that judges are celebrated.

Now there is a place to do this. The Robing Room. This site is a place where Judges are Judged. It reports to be operated by attorneys and is based in New York City!

The site lists Judges by Federal and State Districts. The Mississippi page, linked here, has Judges listed by County and by Circuit or Chancery District. The listings have not been updated in some time, and a number of the judges are not judges anymore due to retirement and elections.

There are only a handful of reviews for Mississippi, but other states have more. I assume the dearth of information is because this is not a commonly known site in Mississippi.

So if you love your judge or love to tell the world how bad he/she is, now is your chance. The site states the postings are anonymous, though require an email to post a rating. The rating provides for a numerical score on multiple characteristics and allows for comments.

Matthew Thompson is a Family law attorney and knows the judges may groan about this. However, the positions are non-partisan, elected and subject to public scrutiny or praise. Be the judge that gets the praise.

General Legal, humor

Go Jump off the Roof!

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Your parents used to ask you “if all of the other children jumped off the roof (or bridge), would you?”

This lawyer answered in the affirmative. Adam Wirtz, an attorney in Illinois, was craving a “skybath” and jumped off of the 10-story Courthouse under construction in Will County, Illinois.

He was observed by law enforcement and arrested upon his landing. It appears the charge will be trespassing.

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law Attorney in Mississippi and is amazed at the length some lawyers will go to avoid Court!

Divorce, General Legal

Banned From Court…

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Know the rules of your particular Courthouse before you get there.

Certain items may NOT be taken into Court, usually. Of course no firearms or weapons may be taken into Court. There have been laws and lawsuits regarding this. See Ward v. Colom, 2016-M-01072-SCT

However, depending on your jurisdiction, there are other items disallowed, and can include:

Cell Phones, Cameras, Recording Devices, Laptops, Ipads, E-Notebooks, Smart Watches, Mace, Weapon’s accessories (ie., a holster, even if empty), Purses, Hand bags, and the like.

In some jurisdiction this applies to the litigants and in some the litigants, witnesses, observers and attorneys.

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law attorney in Mississippi and reminds you to Ask your attorney the rules of what you can and cannot bring to Court.

General Legal, humor, Opinion

Happy Valentine’s Day, Soulmate!

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Here’s an interesting article on What Divorce Lawyers think about Soulmates.  One contributor to the article includes my friend and colleague from Atlanta, Randy Kessler.

And here are 5 signs that that special someone is NOT your soulmate.

Matthew Thompson is a divorce attorney wishing you a very special and happy Valentine’s Day!

Child Custody, Child Support, Divorce, General Legal, Marriage, Modifications, Property Division, Visitation

The Updated BOOK is In. 2018-2019; Mississippi Divorce, Alimony and Child Custody with Forms.

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Get ’em while they’re hot…

Mississippi Divorce, Alimony and Child Custody with Forms, 2018-2019, is hitting the shelves and internet near you.

This edition, in addition to bedrock family law principles, includes statutory and case law updates regarding jurisdiction, alimony, equitable division, business valuation, contempt, attorney fees, visitation, custody and de facto marriage concerns. It also includes updated, revised and new forms.

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law practitioner in Mississippi and has been the author of Mississippi Divorce, Alimony and Child Custody with Forms, since taking the reigns from his now retired Law School professor, the venerable Shelton Hand.

Matthew@BowTieLawyer.ms (601)850-8000

Child Custody, Divorce, General Legal, Opinion

It’s Your Case…Prepare to Work.

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Hiring a lawyer can be nerve-wracking. It can also be a relief. However, the hard work is not over, even when you hire the right one for you.

I have heard the criticism more than a few times that “I hired that lawyer and I did ALL the work!” Well, yeah, there is a lot for a litigant to do.

You, as the party to a case, have the answers, or at least access to the answers. Within a case, there are a lot of processes to follow. You have to answer written Interrogatories. These are questions the other side gets to ask that you have to answer under oath. These can easily be 30-40 pages, or more!

The other side can request documents requiring you to pour over all of your prior tax records, bank records, credit card statements, pictures that you consider evidence, videos, diaries, notes, memos, texts…all of which takes a mountain of effort and time to gather. And, you have to do it.

The other side can take your deposition, an under oath interview. You have to prepare for that. 

All of this legal jujitsu can result in a trial. You have to prepare for that. You have to know the facts of your case. You have to recall incidents and testify truthfully. You have to be specific. You have to know what you want and why.  

A good lawyer will know the process and all the steps, but you will still have to do some heavy lifting. 

Matthew Thompson is a Mississippi Divorce and Custody lawyer and cautions you that you will have a lot of work ahead of YOU to do your case right.

Child Custody, Divorce, General Legal

Don’t place your child in the middle.

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Children CAN testify, even if they shouldn’t. Children DO GET a SAY in their custody if they are 12 or older and choose to.

However, the child does not get to “pick” where he or she will live.  They get a vote that is to be considered, but does not have to be absolutely followed by the Court. Additionally, as a parent, you should avoid putting the child in that situation when/if possible.

In fact, you should avoid placing your child in the middle of any disputes between you and the other parent. It is not good for the child and not good for your relationship with them.

Matthew Thompson is a Mississippi Child Custody lawyer and reminds you to be a parent first.

Child Custody, Divorce, General Legal, Opinion

A sheep in wolf’s clothing; Representing client’s positions.

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Lawyers are a hated bunch. However, sometimes it is not deserved.

Illustration by Factory43.

Lawyers are hired to represent clients. Sometimes those clients have done or do things the lawyer did not advise. As a lawyer you represent your client zealously.

Sometimes you even represent clients you don’t agree with, but you still represent your clients.

A lawyer taking a position for litigation is not a personal endorsement for that position. To suggest otherwise is improper.

Sometimes we are just a sheep in wolf’s clothing…

Matthew Thompson is a family law attorney in Mississippi and encourages clients, lawyers and voters to be informed.