Category Archives: Opinion

General Legal, Opinion

Who Can You Count On?

Leave a comment

Woody, from Toy Story, was always someone Andy could count on.

However, Woody is fiction and so is the vast numbers of people you can count on.

Today’s post is not a pessimistic world view, but you can count on five people, maybe.

You can count on your parents, usually. You can count on your siblings, oftentimes. You can count on bestfriends, sometimes. You can count on professionals, reasonably speaking. You can count on your spouse, about half of the time. Anyone else? Don’t count on it.

That co-worker that said the orange shirt looked good on you told your other co-worker it looked like you worked at Orange Julius. That friend from the gym, isn’t so friendly behind your back. That acquaintance from tennis that always smiles, is not smiling when they’re recounting the latest bit of gossip, that they know is not true…

A wise man once said, “If you have no expectations of people, you will not be disappointed.”

Humans are imperfect creatures. We all mess up. Sometimes in big public ways that lend themselves to public scorn, sometimes in private, discreet manners that result in no harm, no foul. However, we all mess up. Remember that.

Matthew Thompson is a family law/civil defense attorney and often gives the advice- prepare for the worst, hope for the best, and you’ll usually end up somewhere in between.

Opinion

Parent Tip of the Day: Delete SnapChat and TikTok

Leave a comment

Social Media makes it very easy to stay in touch and plugged in. Too easy…

Parenting has always been a hard, full-time job. With the availability of technology at our finger tips, it seemingly is getting harder.

One way to make it easier? Delete SnapChat and TikTok from your child’s device.

I agree the SnapChat filters are neat but the access/potential for trouble is too great. It is too easy for some random to connect and send a message or image. SnapChat creates a false sense of security with its auto-delete feature. With everyone having multiple devices and traveling in packs, this provides no real security.

TikTok, too. Some of the videos are cute, but many are not.

Delete the temptation. You’ll have one less thing to worry about and more time too.

Matthew Thompson is a parent and is expressing his personal opinion.

General Legal, Opinion, Uncategorized

Leadership: MS Style…

Leave a comment
lead·er·ship
noun
  1. the action of leading a group of people or an organization.

Mississippi is in the headlines again. This time due to MS being the last state in the country that has the Confederate battle flag in its state flag.

There is a growing push to change the flag to something that is more representative of MS today, as opposed to the late 1800s.

As usual, there are loud voices pro and con for any change.

However, there are meek voices in between. Our most prominent elected officials are not stating their view, but instead are saying let the people vote. This is not leadership.

We the people elected these persons as our representatives. Their job is to represent the will of the people and do what is best for MS.

While I am supportive of a change in the flag, I understand that others are not, however the task for elected officials is to do and promote what is best for all of Mississippi.

I have yet to have any answer to the question on “why keeping the current flag is best for MS?”

I’ve heard heritage vs. hate arguments. I’ve heard we already voted arguments. I’ve heard the slippery slope arguments of what’s next if it is changed, but what is deafening is any cogent, reasonable reason to maintain the current, indisputably divisive flag.

Leadership is the action of leading. It is time for our Leaders to have an opinion, back it up and do what they believe is best for all of Mississippi. Take a stand.

Matthew Thompson is a civil lawyer in Mississippi and expects elected officials to lead.

Divorce, Irreconcilable differences, Marriage, Opinion

Somebody can always do it cheaper…is that better?

Leave a comment

Cheaper is NOT always better.

Everyone wants a good deal, myself included. However, often in life you get what you pay for!

We’ve all seen the advertisement for the $500 divorce. That could be a really good deal if everything is agreed, it’s just drafting papers and sending for entry.

But, is it a good deal when it doesn’t work? Is it a good deal when it does work, but you weren’t advised of your rights. You did not know about all of the financial and equitable relief you could have gotten.

I’ve seen agreements where the parties agreed to maintain a million dollar whole life insurance policies. They had no idea what that meant or what expense that really involved.

I’ve seen agreements that have not included the correct child support and included terms so onerous a Court would never order it otherwise.

My advice is this, if you spent more than $500 to get married, plan on spending more than $500 to get divorced.

Matthew Thompson is a civil litigation attorney in Mississippi.

Opinion

Mississippi Doctor Makes State, Nation Proud; How “One” Person can make a Difference…

Leave a comment

Mississippi making national news is usually a very, very bad thing.

Photo credit: Magnolia State Live

However, UMMC pediatric anesthesiologist, Dr. Charles Robertson has Mississippi in the spotlight for all of the right reasons.

Dr. Robertson spearheaded an effort to create the “absolute simplest ventilator we can build with parts available in any city, you don’t need specials tools to put together and can be done quickly as the need arises.” Clarion Ledger.

The “Robertson Ventilator” is made from a section of garden hose, lamp timer, electronic valve and various couplings. Each can be made for around $50.00 in parts and in 20-30 mintues.

While these are true emergency, last resort machines, with the COVID-19 pandemic and a potential shortage of ventilators, these could literally be life saving devices.

Dr. Robertson was featured on WLBT-3 with a live unveiling and demonstration of the Robertson Ventilator in action. Since the debut this device has been publicized by every major news service in the state, numerous out-of-state publications, and nationwide entities, including the USA Today and the CATO institute .

Dr. Robertson was also quick to point out that he did not build the current stock of approximately 170 units by himself. He had assistance from his colleagues, co-workers and others, pitching in as they were able to procure, prepare and produce the Robertson Ventilators.

Mississippi is actually world renowned for its medicinal pioneering. Dr. Robertson is the next in line following the Hippocratic Oath and serving the residents of the State of Mississippi.

Opinion

CAlling in Favors: COVID-19 and How YOU Can Help

Leave a comment

The need is great! Mississippians are nationally renowned for their charitable giving. Per capita we are the most generous state. In this time of crisis the need is greater than ever.

I am asking for your help. If you are able, the below items are in high demand for families in Mississippi and especially in the Jackson Metro area. We are working with Calvary Baptist Church and His Heart to try and help fill this void.

So what can you do? Pack 1 food box to-go with non-perishables. Contact me to retrieve and deliver. (601)906-6545

If you can do more don’t hold back. If you are not comfortable or in a position to give, please just pass along this request.

We can all get through this by working together and helping as we are able.

Matthew Thompson is civil litigation attorney in Mississippi and is focusing on the civil part and reminds you to keep your social distance!

General Legal, Opinion

Life is About who you KNOW…

Leave a comment

The cliche’ is good lawyers know the law and great lawyers know the Judge.

Valerie Morton, Tim Johnson and Matthew Thompson at the Community Outreach and Pro Bono Committee of the CABA – Capital Area Bar Association – MS, Hinds County Pro Bono Legal Clinic. 10/18/19

This is not to suggest knowing the Judge results in an unfair advantage or that the fix was in, but rather you know what to focus on in a trial or hearing and how to prepare the case.

But Judges are just a piece of the Courthouse puzzle. There are behind the scenes heroes that all too often do not get recognized. Court clerks, administrators, court reporters, and bailiffs all contribute to creating a place where people can be helped and justice served.

In fact, in a lot of instances these person are on the front lines of justice. Pointing people in the direction they need to go for help or guiding them to the extent allowed, which isn’t much.

These people also see us (lawyers) at our worst. Litigants being out-lawyered, lawyers treating court staff as if they work for them personally and lawyers blaming others when something went wrong.

Through it all, they keep a smile on their face, a song in their heart and that jerk lawyer on their short list…

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law Attorney in Mississippi and is grateful for the court staff and their seeming never-ending patience!

alimony, Child Custody, Divorce, Opinion

Why Settling isn’t Settling for less…

2 Comments

Most cases settle. Most cases should settle and “settlement” is not a dirty word.

Court, despite preparations, always has a level of unpredictability. Witnesses who you thought would be great, are nervous and are not great. Evidence that you knew was significant was prevented from being used due to an objection. What you believed to be the facts morphed into something else because of other testimony.

The judge was cranky. The air conditioner broke. Your lawyer forgot to ask you a question.

Settlement eliminates the risk and unpredictability of Court. Also, you just may get the outcome you would have gotten without the stress, anxiety and burning bridges that sometimes comes with contested litigation.

Sometimes settling your case is the way to go.

Matthew Thompson is a litigation attorney in Mississippi and still advises that sometimes settlement is best.