“New” Judge in Rankin; McLaurin appointed to fill vacancy.

05/28/2015 BowTieLawyer 2 Comments

Rankin County Chancery has a new Judge, but a familiar face.

John McLaurin has been tapped by Gov. Bryant to fill the vacancy by Judge Dan Fairly’s recent passing. Judge McLaurin has served as Family Master for Rankin County since 2007, hearing the exact type of cases he will now hear as a full-time Chancellor.

There will be no learning curve here. Attorneys, litigants and those involved in Chancery matters can expect business as usual.

This was a sound and timely appointment.

* As a point of interest, McLaurin is the great-great nephew of former Governor of Mississippi and U.S. Senator Anselm McLaurin, related to the late Robin Williams and practiced law in Rankin County with his brother, Anse McLaurin.

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law Attorney and reminds those interested that this just fills one spot in Rankin Chancery. There is still a new position to fill in the general election. Stay tuned.

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You may also contact Matthew with your family law case, question or concern at (601) 850-8000 or Matthew@bowtielawyer.ms.

Child Custody, Divorce, General Legal

R & R; Why Taking Some Time OFF is Critical for Your Health

05/26/2015 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

Emotions can run high in Family Law.

A Family Law case; such as a divorce or child custody matter may well be the most difficult thing you have to deal with as an adult. It can be heart wrenching, gut wrenching, expensive and uncertain.

The worst of all is the uncertainty! The questions as to whether you are doing the right thing. Will the Judge see the truth? Are your children safe? It keeps your brain on “go” 24-7. However, this around-the-clock, heightened sense also wears you out.

You cannot stay on high alert all the time. If you do, you will crash and burn. What is the solution? Hire the person right for you, follow their advice to the letter and do the right thing, every time. Then breath, relax and take the afternoon off. You’ve earned it.

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law Attorney and recommends that clients know when a matter is DEFCON 5 and when to take it to DEFCON 1.

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You may also contact Matthew with your family law case, question or concern at (601) 850-8000 or Matthew@bowtielawyer.ms.

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Opinion

Honoring Memorial Day

05/25/2015 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

Memorial Day is a day to remember and honor those who have died in service to this Country.

On Memorial Day, the flag of the United States is raised briskly to the top of the staff and then solemnly lowered to the half-staff position, where it remains only until noon. It is then raised to full-staff for the remainder of the day.

The half-staff position remembers the more than one million men and women who gave their lives in service of their country. At noon, their memory is raised by the living, who resolve not to let their sacrifice be in vain, but to rise up in their stead and continue the fight for liberty and justice for all.

Last year we spent the day at Arlington National Cemetary. It was a remarkable experience. The day is not about BBQ and getting off work. Happy Memorial Day? No. Honoring those who sacrificed ALL on Memorial Day? Yes.

Matthew Thompson

Child Custody, Crime, Visitation

Bacon, It’s What’s for Dinner

05/22/2015 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

I am frequently asked about things a divorced parent can do during their weekend with the children.

It’s easy to run out of things “to do.” And the constant eating out, movies and going to the store can get expensive. Quickly! Here are a few things that you can do;

Eat Backwards, dessert first is always a treat.
Children’s Museum/Science Museum
Park/playground
Church Events
Neighborhood events
Play dates with friend and their parents
Picnics
Kid’s Eat Free Nights at area restaurants
Quiet nights at home
Popcorn parties
Celebrate Holidays you don’t “get.” Literally, Christmas in July.
Camping Out, even if just in the backyard.
Breakfast for Dinner, a time-honored tradition.

You are only limited by your imagination. Having all the money in the world doesn’t make you a great parent. Making the most with the time you have does.

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law Attorney and advises his clients to make having a great relationship with your children priority #1.

Follow the blog: BowTieLawyer Visit the website: Thompson Law Firm

You may also contact Matthew with your family law case, question or concern at (601) 850-8000 or Matthew@bowtielawyer.ms.

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General Legal, Opinion

Meet the Candidate; Madison County Justice Court Judge Election

05/18/2015 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

Election season is in full swing. Here’s your chance to meet the candidate and get involved.

Kelly Williams, a candidate for Madison County Justice Court Judge, is having a meet and greet on Tuesday night at the Lake Caroline Martinique Clubhouse. It’s a causal, come-and-go event for residents, friends and voters from Madison County to meet Attorney Kelly Williams and to find out what a Justice Court Judge does.

The Martinique Clubhouse is in the North-West corner of Lake Caroline properties, just off Hwy 22 and the western most entrance to Caroline next to McMillon Road. 5:30-8:30 pm.

Matthew Thompson is a Mississippi Family Law Attorney and is on the Host Committee for Candidate for Justice Court Judge, Kelly Williams.

Follow the blog: BowTieLawyer Visit the website: Thompson Law Firm

You may also contact Matthew with your family law case, question or concern at (601) 850-8000 or Matthew@bowtielawyer.ms.

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Child Custody, Divorce, General Legal, Modifications

Don’t YELL in Court!

05/13/2015 BowTieLawyer 1 Comment

Sometimes we lose our cool…

It happens to the best of us. “We” get excited, animated and emotional, but you need to try to keep that in check. Lawyers are guilty of this too!

Here’s the set-up. The Divorce Agreement provides that either “party shall receive advance notice of any out of state travel, overnight, with the minor child by the other parent.“

Not an unreasonable clause. It does not require permission, but notice.

So, one parent, on multiple occasions does not give the other parent notice. The unknowing parent finds out about the timing of the trips during their time with the child, after the trips have occurred.

What’s the harm you ask? Well, these parents live 2-states away from one another. Where was the undisclosed trip? Yes, the other parent’s home state, just a few hours away. A great opportunity for a visit! But, alas it did not happen.

Upon questioning the parent defended not telling the other because the second parent did not ask. Here’s where the yelling comes in.

“HOW DOES THE OTHER PARENT KNOW TO ASK ABOUT THE TRIP IF YOU DON’T TELL THEM ABOUT THE TRIP ?!?“

Silence.

Read more on Rotten Parenting, Terrible Parenting and being a Terrible Person.

Matthew Thompson is a Chancery Court Attorney and warns clients and attorneys alike to not yell in Court.

Follow the blog: BowTieLawyer Visit the website: Thompson Law Firm

You may also contact Matthew with your family law case, question or concern at (601) 850-8000 or Matthew@bowtielawyer.ms.

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Child Custody, Divorce, General Legal

Judge Race Update; Mississippi Chancery Elections

05/11/2015 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

The Chancery Judge races in Mississippi are heating up!

Click here for the most recent Update, Roberts in Rankin, Walker in Madison…

Click here for You CAN Pick your Judge.

As an update to a prior post, two districts are looking like a horse race while one appears a foregone conclusion. The Secretary of State’s latest list of candidates is filling out.

Madison, Leake, Holmes and Yazoo Counties– the 11th Chancery District is currently served by Judges Cynthia Brewer and Robert Clark, III. The legislature, due to population increases, added a third Judge position to this district.

James C. Walker

The front-runner (and only-runner) for this seat is James Walker. Walker has the backing of the majority of Family Law practitioners in the district and there are not even vague whispers of another viable candidate at this point. Walker is the current Family Master for the District, hearing Emergencies,Temporary Hearings and the types of matters the current Chancellors hear. Walker is the former staff attorney for Judge Cynthia Brewer, former staff attorney for DHS and has his own private Chancery practice law firm.

Rankin County– the 20th District is currently served by Judge John Grant. One new position has been created and another will be filled via appointment and special election at a later date, totaling three Judges for this district.

(Limited on-line information regarding these candidates was available.)

Prentiss M. Grant

Grant has practiced for over 25 years and handled many Chancery Court cases, among criminal and personal injury areas of practice as well.

James (Jim) M. Nix

Company: Jones and Nix, PLLC
Admit Date: 06/02/1981
Physical Address: 814 N President St
Jackson, MS 39201
Mail Address: P O Box 55601
Jackson, MS 39296-5601
Phone: (601) 948-6800
Fax: (601) 948-7100
Email: jones-nix@att.net
Status: Active

Craig Slay

Slay is the Board Attorney for the Rankin County Board of Supervisors and has practiced law for nearly 20 years.

Rusty Williard

Admitted in 1985, Williard is a self-proclaimed “ruthless defender of the rights of children in chancery court and with juvenile defense matters, he is currently a certified Guardian Ad Litem as well as a Youth Court advocate. Rusty believes that his personal experience as a step-father has helped provide him with valuable insight about the financial and emotional dynamics of the modern blended families of today.”

“Besides belonging to the Mississippi Trial Lawyers Association, Rusty is a member of the Rankin County Chamber of Commerce, Hinds County Bar Association and Rankin county Bar Association. He is licensed to practice in the State of Mississippi, Federal Courts, Bankruptcy Court, and the United States Supreme Court.”

Amite, Franklin, Pike and Walthall Counties– the 4th District is currently served by one Chancellor, Debbra Halford, and is getting a much needed second Judge.

(Limited information regarding these candidates was available.)

Below is the contact info from the MS Bar Assoc.

Ashley Atkinson

Company: Attorney at Law
Admit Date: 05/29/1969
Physical Address: 412 W Michigan Ave
McComb, MS 39649
Mail Address: P O Box 1266
McComb, MS 39649-1266
Phone: (601) 684-3535
Fax: (601) 684-3558
Email: caatkins@cableone.net
Status: Active

Conrad Mord

Company: Attorney at Law
Admit Date: 08/16/1974
Physical Address: 729 Beulah Ave
Tylertown, MS 39667
Mail Address: P O Drawer 311
Tylertown, MS 39667-0311
Phone: (601) 876-2611
Fax: (601) 876-4379
Email: conrad@mordlawfirm.com
Status: Active and currently serves as the Youth Court Referee, a.k.a. Youth Court Judge.

Michael T. Shareef

Company: MS Center for Legal Services
Admit Date: 10/31/1979
Physical Address: 221 Main St
McComb, MS 39648
Mail Address: P O Box 575
McComb, MS 39649-0575
Phone: (601) 684-0578
Fax: (601) 684-0575
Email: mshareef@mslegalservices.org
Status: Active

Wayne Smith

Company: Attorney at Law
Admit Date: 08/20/1982
Physical Address: 151 W Main St
Liberty, MS 39645
Mail Address: P O Box 525
Liberty, MS 39645-0525
Phone: (601) 657-8994
Fax: (601) 657-8987
Email: waynesmithatty@bellsouth.net
Status: Active

As more information regarding the candidates, and their campaigns, becomes available it will be updated. Hopefully, with some campaign links and fodder one won’t need prescription meds and Redbull to stay awake perusing this blog.

Matthew Thompson is a Chancery Court Attorney and closely watching the Mississippi Chancery Court Judicial races.

Follow the blog: BowTieLawyer Visit the website: Thompson Law Firm

You may also contact Matthew with your family law case, question or concern at (601) 850-8000 or Matthew@bowtielawyer.ms.

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Divorce, General Legal, Opinion

How NOT to Communicate; 10 Methods or Means of Communication that are more Trouble than they are Worth.

05/05/2015 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

A big part of the any relationship is communication.

A big part of the trouble in many relationships is difficulty with or lack of communication. So, I have made a list of ways to NOT communicate.

1. Threats. Don’t make them.

2. Unreasonable Demands. They are unreasonable.

3. Information Dump on a Whim. The time must be appropriate for the discussions necessary.

4. Sensitive Information in a Non-protected Environment. Have private talks in private. Not in front of the children, friends, family and others.

5. Blaming the Other Incessantly. Accepting responsibility is one thing, being the reason that every bad thing that ever happened is not likely.

6. Screaming. Not necessary. He who is the loudest does not win.

7. Cursing. Not necessary.

8. Being Unprepared. If you or the other person are not in a position to discuss intelligently it is likely much will not be accomplished.

9. Win at All Costs. I’m always right. Even when I am wrong, I am right…right?

10. Lying. What good does it do to “win” if it’s a lie?

Matthew Thompson is a family law attorney and cautions persons to be careful how they communicate with others.

Follow the blog: BowTieLawyer Visit the website: Thompson Law Firm

You may also contact Matthew with your family law case, question or concern at (601) 850-8000 or Matthew@bowtielawyer.ms.

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