#Grateful
Happy Thanksgiving!
#Grateful
Category Archives: Opinion
A sheep in wolf’s clothing; Representing client’s positions.
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.
Vote BowTieLawyer; Best Niche & Specialty Blog
As Pappy O’Daniel used to say, “Vote early and vote often.”
BowTieLawyer.ms has been nominated by The Expert Institute’s 2018 Best Legal Blog Contest!
“[T]housands of nominations [were received] for what has shaped up to be The Expert Institute’s largest and most diverse Best Legal Blog Contest yet! Over 100 new blogs entered the competition this year with topics spanning from legal technology and news to law school and niche blogs.”
“Now, we’ve narrowed the field of contestants to the most exciting, entertaining, and informative legal blogs online today. Every one of these blogs has earned its spot as a leader in its category, but now it’s time for our readers to select the best of the best.”
“Readers can submit one vote per blog, but can vote for as many blogs as they like across every category. In order to cast your vote, you must log into the social media platform of your choosing to verify your voter identity. This authentication is intended to prevent duplicate votes. We do not collect or share your information with third parties under any circumstances.” The Expert Institute.
The polls will be open from November 5th to December 17th. We encourage all of our nominees to spread the word about the contest to their readers!
Matthew Thompson is a blogger on BowTieLawyer.ms and appreciates your vote!
Another Black Eye for Mississippi; It’s NOT Heritage, It’s Hate…
Mississippians voted in the midterms in record numbers, something we should all be proud of. However, spoiler alert, a Mississippian embarrassed the entire state.
Surprisingly, or perhaps ashamedly not, persons are defending him for wearing this. There really is no defense. Does he have Constitutional protections to wear this shirt? Yes. Are their consequences for our actions? Yes.
The “confederate” flag has become a symbol of hate and division. Perhaps it had proud beginnings, but that has been overpowered by hate groups. The above shirt, in addition to the flag, has a noose and “Mississippi Justice” emblazoned on it. Inexcusable.
Our state leaders would do well to take a stand not only against Hickey, but against this symbol.
There is absolutely no connection between Hickey and McDaniel…other than the “rebel” canton. However, you are mistaken if you believe explaining your policy differences will somehow distinguish your position on the State flag and the voters referendum in 2001, arguing it gives you the moral high-ground to continue to support an indisputable symbol of hate and intolerance.
“In 2001, there was a vote. This vote was not “Do you Love the Current Flag above all Others?” But instead it was do you Like “Flag A” better than “Flag B” ? Flag A won, 64.39% to 35.61%.” …and Flag B was ugly. -Matthew Thompson
The Stennis Flag
There is a push afoot to adopt this Flag, the Stennis flag, as the State’s new symbol. It began grass-roots, but has taken hold and can be seen throughout the state. The flag was designed by Senator John C. Stennis’s granddaughter, Laurin Stennis, a Mississippi artist.The significance of the flag is explained;
- Nineteen stars form a circle around a larger center star, which represents Mississippi as the 20th state to join the Union in 1817.
- The centering of the blue star on the field of white is an inverted “Bonnie Blue,” a reference to the state’s secession (1861 – 1865).
- The circular shape symbolizes wholeness and continuity and is also drawn from artifacts of indigenous peoples to our region, particularly, the Choctaw Nation.
- The red bars stand in opposition, recognizing the passionate differences we sometimes harbor, as well as in honor of those who have given their lives in pursuit of liberty and justice for all.
Matthew Thompson is a Family Law attorney and is tired of the hate, rhetoric and, in the immortal (paraphrased) words of Fannie Lou Hamer, is sick and tired of being sick and tired for our State.
Elect David McCarty- Court of Appeals Judge
David McCarty is running for Court of Appeals Judge in Mississippi. Citizens of this state would be well-served by electing him to this position.
“I have devoted my legal career to the unique practice of appeals, beginning as a law clerk at the Mississippi Supreme Court. In the past thirteen years, I have represented dozens of clients in federal and state appeals—from small businesses to parents who were fighting for the best for their children. In over 30 oral arguments, I traveled before our Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and the Fifth Circuit to advocate for my clients.“
Why should you care? The Mississippi Court of Appeals considers the vast majority of Family Law Appeals, along with criminal law, business law and other disputes assigned to the Court by the Mississippi Supreme Court. David is the most experienced candidate. David’s campaign emphasized experience, integrity and fairness, David has pledged to treat all persons and cases appearing before his Court with dignity and respect. This is a promise you can count on.
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Over 70 cases ruled on by the Mississippi Supreme Court and Court of Appeals — more than three times the experience of all other candidates combined
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Over 30 oral arguments before the Mississippi Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, and Eighth Circuit
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Adjunct professor since 2005 at Mississippi College School of Law for classes in Evidence, Trial Practice, Appellate Advocacy, and Pretrial Practice
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Law Review, Articles Editor
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Moot Court, Competition Chair
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JD, Mississippi College School of Law, cum laude
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Author of multiple scholarly works, including a treatise on evidence as well as a study of judicial speech laws
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Co-founder, Appellate Practice Section of the Mississippi Bar
Who can vote for David? Court of Appeals District 4 The district is a portion of Hinds County, south, a little east and then west. The largest populated areas are the portion of Hinds County, McComb area and Natchez area. It’s a big district that includes the following Counties; Adams, Amite, Copiah, Covington, Franklin, Jefferson Davis, Lawrence, Lincoln, Marion, Pike, Simpson, Walthall and Wilkinson; that portion of Hinds County not included in the Second Court of Appeals District; and that portion of Jones County not included in the Third Court of Appeals District.
So is this a paid ad for David? No. I am posting this because I believe in David McCarty. I have committed my professional existence to practicing in front of fair, impartial, honest Judges in Mississippi, who treat others with dignity and respect. I am convinced that he is exactly what Mississippi needs and exactly what Mississippi will get with the election of David McCarty.
Going to Church Doesn’t Make You A Better Person (automatically)
“Holier than thou.”
“So heavenly focused, you’re no earthly good.”
I have seen these concepts personified. It is distressing. I have seen and heard of one’s belief in their own moral superiority to justify their wrong behavior; interfering with the parent child relationship, persuading others to not help the “sinner,” and literally causing a scene at church.
STOP. YOU’RE doing it wrong. YOU are hurting others. YOU are part of the problem.
Matthew Thompson is a family law attorney and has grown weary of the hypocrisy. He also encourages you to not only go to Church, but also to act like it.
Call Your Parents…
Happy Birthday! Donate to Mississippi Legal Services
In lieu of birthday presents this year, I’m asking that you consider making a donation to Mississippi Center for Legal Services Corporation.
Legal Services afforded me my first legal “job!” The summer of my first year of law school I volunteered with them. I was assigned to work with an amazing attorney, Lula Anderson.
Attorney Anderson was one of the contract family law attorneys at the time and I heard Irreconcilable Differences Divorce 101 more times than I could count that Summer. Due to that experience it helped me get a paying clerkship with the family law firm Chinn & Associates, paving the way for Thompson Law Firm.
I’ve chosen this nonprofit because their mission means a lot to me. Legal Service’s attorneys represent low income families, pro bono, in Mississippi that need civil representation.
A lot of the great people I worked with are still there, including; Tara Bryant Walker, Richard Hitt, and Lindia Robinson just to name a few.
Since establishing my own firm, I have continued to volunteer with Legal Services. I now serve on the Board of Directors and routinely speak at Continuing Legal Education seminars for Legal Services. I’ll be presenting a Family Law Update on July 27 in Hattiesburg.
I hope you’ll consider contributing as a way to celebrate with me. Every little bit will help the goal.
This link goes to the Facebook donation page.
331197450751450/331197460751449/https://www.facebook.com/donate/
No Facebook? Donate directly here.
Matthew Thompson is a Mississippi Family Law attorney and Board member with Mississippi Center for Legal Services.
(601) 850-8000 - - BowTieLawyer.MS 