#Grateful
Happy Thanksgiving!
#Grateful
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.
Judicial Election Winners & Run-off(s)
HINDS COUNTY
Chancery Judges Unopposed
Dewayne Thomas
Denise Owens
Winner
Crystal Wise Martin defeating Reginald Harrion
Runoff
Tiffany Grove vs. Monique Brown-Barrett
RANKIN COUNTY
Chancery Judges Unopposed
John C. McLaurin, Jr.
Haydn J. Roberts
Runoff
Mel Coxwell vs. Troy Odom
CHANCERY CT. DIST 14 Place 1 (Starkville, Columbus, et. al.)
Runoff
Lee Ann Turner vs. Rodney Faver
Runoff
CARRIE JOURDAN vs. JOE STUDDARD
CHANCERY CT. DIST 14 PLACE 3 –
Winner
PAULA DRUNGOLE-ELLIS
LAUDERDALE COUNTY, et. al.
Winners
Charles E. “Charlie” Smith Chancery 21-2
Judge Larry Primeaux. Unopposed.
LEFLORE COUNTY (includes additional Delta counties)
Runoff
Katherine Tackett Mills vs. Willie J. Perkins, Sr.
SIMPSON COUNTY
Winner
David Shoemake
THE COAST Chancery Court Judge 8, 3
Runoff
Margaret Alfonso vs. Sanford R. (Sandy) Steckler
This race is exciting because of the candidates. Judge Steckler is the incumbent.Judge Alfonso is a former Chancellor who left Chancery for Youth Court (County Court) and is now running.This makes a very recent former Chancellor against a current Chancellor and they actually served together.
Chancery Court District 16 Place 2, SW Coastal Counties
Runoff
Tanya Hasbrouck vs. Ashlee Trehern.
Harrison County Court/Youth Court
Runoff
Mike Dickinson vs. Anna Ward Sukmann
District 6: Attala, Carroll, Choctaw, Kemper, Neshoba, Winston
Winner
Kiley Kirk
…more to come.
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.
The Rain is Coming…Go VOTE
We’re about to get drenched. No, not for Halloween trick-or-treating, as the weather predictors have moved the rain coming in to late this evening and tomorrow. But, with an election on Tuesday, Nov. 6, the onslaught of adds, information, misinformation, and rhetoric.
There are numerous interesting campaigns throughout the state.
Hinds County Chancery Court (aka Family Court) has 2 contested elections.
Chancery Court Judge Sub 5-2
Patricia Wise – Current Chancellor – is retiring.
The candidates are;
Born in Jackson, Mississippi, at the former Hinds General Hospital, Reginald Harrion is an attorney proudly residing in Jackson, Mississippi. He has active licenses to practice law in Arizona, Georgia, and Mississippi, as well as multiple federal district and bankruptcy courts. He is presently employed as the “Chancery Attorney” at Richard Schwartz & Associates, P.A., and is charged with handling minors’ settlements, estates, conservatorships, and guardianships. His work has afforded him the benefit of entering appearances in all 20 Chancery Court districts in the State of Mississippi.
Reginald is a former Specially Appointed Judge for the Hinds County Chancery Court. He served as a Special Master to hear civil commitment cases and recommend courses of action and services for persons needing inpatient and outpatient mental treatment. He also served as a Family Master to hear cases and recommended judgments establishing, modifying, and enforcing paternity and child support actions filed by the Mississippi Department of Human Services.
Read more about Reginald Harrion here.
Crystal Wise Martin of Jackson, daughter of Mr. Mark and Judge Patricia Wise (current chancellor), received her B.S. in Chemistry from Spelman College, her B.Ch.E. from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1995, and her J.D. from the University of Mississippi in 1998.
She was admitted to the Mississippi Bar in May, 1998, and joined Langston, Frazer, Sweet and Freese, P.A. She taught Legal Writing at the University of Mississippi, worked in the Lafayette County District Attorney’s Office, and the Office of the United States Attorney for the Southern District of Mississippi.
In February 2008, she served as Attorney to the Hinds County Board of Supervisors. In 2014, she begin operating the law firm of Precious Martin, Sr. & Associates, PLLC, the firm started by her late husband, of more than 14 years, Precious T. Martin, Sr.
She has served as a member of Mississippi Supreme Court’s Pro Hac Vice Commission; Magnolia Bar Association, President and Secretary; Mississippi Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division; Capital Area Bar Association; and Mississippi Association for Justice. She is the host of the local radio segment called “Talk of the Town” on 90.1 WMPR. She is the proud mother of four children, Precious, Jr. (age 15), Daniel (age 13), Alyssa (age 10), and Anna (age 8).
Read more about Crystal Wise Martin here.
More posts to follow this week, through next week…
Legal Ad from 1774- Cutting off the “Credit Card”
“This is to give notice, that my Wife PHEBE has very much misbehaved herself, and not acted the part of a dutiful Wife: I do forbid all person trusting of her on my account, for I will not pay any debt of her contracting”
Anthony is trying to not be responsible for Phebe’s charges. Oh, Phebe!
Matthew Thompson is a Divorce Attorney in Mississippi and can help you with Phebe’s charges.
(601) 850-8000 - - BowTieLawyer.MS 