A Picture is Worth a Decillion Words…Mississippi Politics; Cochran vs. McDaniel

05/23/2014 BowTieLawyer 6 Comments

A picture is worth a 1,000 words. Well, in Mississippi Politics a picture is worth way more. What (fill in the blank)____Gate will this be called? ClaytonGate, SenateGate, #YetAnotherBlackEyeAndWhyMississippiRoutinelyRanks49or50Gate

The story that will not end is that of the Pearl blogger-want-to-be, Clayton Kelly, surreptitiously photographing Senator Thad Cochran’s wife and then using that photo to insinuate infidelity. He “snuck” into a nursing home to capture the image.

Both candidates for Senate, Cochran and challenger, Chris McDaniel, have been accused of using this situation for their own political gain.

Decillion = 1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 (10³³).

There are enough questions about the bizarre story to cast aspersions at both sides and that is constantly being done. The criticism of McDaniel’s camp is how they knew, when the knew. Campaign personnel reached out to the Cochran side to express disgust and outrage prior to the full details being made public – raising the specter of how they knew. A subsequent interview of McDaniel downplayed his knowledge of the event, though his people knew of it for almost a month. Additionally, the perpetrator stated he took down the posting because “the big man” wanted it down. Presumptively “the big man” is McDaniel. McDaniel has used this scandal to repeat his mantra that Cochran refuses to debate him. The McDaniel camp has also prematurely declared their innocence based upon a reported District Attorney, Michael Guest, statement that Guest then addressed clarifying no such innocence due to the ongoing nature of the investigation, causing McDaniel to delete his declaration. It made the mess look worse than it was. Confused yet??

The other visual that each story includes is a picture of McDaniel at political meet & greets with at least 2 of the arrested individuals, alluding to guilt by association.

Cochran has been criticized for taking his sweet time in reporting the allegations. That the Cochran campaign waited until the opportune time to use this situation for political gain, sitting on it for 3 weeks to a month and then feigning outrage. Accusations that Cochran orchestrated this have been lobbed and infidelity accusations continue to be raised.

The most bizarre aspect, other than the brain that thought this was viable strategy, are the conspiracy allegations that have embroiled an attorney (Mark Mayfield), soccer coach (Rick Sager)and Hattiesburgian (John Mary), leading to their arrests. What role they played, if any, remains to be seen, but could include providing aid or information on Mrs. Cochran’s whereabouts and how to gain access, or after the scheme, the taking down the posting and trying to “bury the evidence.” Who knows?

We, as the general public, declare disfavor for the whole sordid affair, but blog, comment, research, speculate, gossip and conclude about this mess based on our own political ideology. Unfortunately we love to hate this, but perpetuate it, too.

What really happened? Who knew what and when? We will likely never get the full story. Mississippi politics will forever prevent the truth of this situation being fully determined. It’s a sad, sordid turn that will reverberate until the next political scandal…

Matthew Thompson is a Divorce and Domestic Relations Attorney in Mississippi and admits that he has followed this story, read the blogs, the comments, seen the clips, interviews, press releases and finds it all fascinating in a very sad way.

Follow the blog:#BowTieLawyer Visit the website: #Thompson Law Firm You may also contact Matthew with your family law matter or question at (601) 850-8000 or Matthew@bowtielawyer.ms

Opinion

Irritation of the Day: Know How to Work Your Phone!

05/21/2014 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

So people are rude about phone use. I get that. I text at lunch and may look at it while having a “conversation.” I justify my conduct. I’m busy. It could be my family. It may be a client with a family emergency. I make myself available. BUT, there is something that there is no excuse for…

KNOW HOW TO WORK YOUR PHONE!

It rings and rings and rings and you just sit there. It’s like when a phone rings in Church. You sit there in the hope that they think it’s your neighbor and to not call attention to yourself Guess what? I know it was you and your phone. Learn how to silence it at the push of a button without having to look.

Also, your ringtone is ridiculous.

Follow the blog:#BowTieLawyer Visit the website: #Thompson Law Firm You may also contact Matthew with your family law matter or question at (601) 850-8000 or Matthew@bowtielawyer.ms

General Legal, Opinion

Madison Chancery Clerk Race Heating Up

05/20/2014 BowTieLawyer 2 Comments

On June 3 Madison Countians will elect a new Chancery Clerk.

The Chancery Clerk acts as the county auditor, treasurer and assists the Board of Supervisors. The Chancery Clerk’s duties also include Clerk of the Chancery Court and Custodian of Public Land Records. The Clerk is ultimately responsible for the filing of Court pleadings and land records and it is a big job. It also includes testifying in Court on occasion and being financially accountable to the County, litigants and the Court.

The scuttlebutt is that someone in the clerk’s office ran a number of background checks on Ronny Lott. This is newsworthy because candidate Irby Ford is currently employed by Madison County and works in the assessors office. Ford denied being responsible or knowing about the searches, which was apparently true. No searches were conducted regarding Ford or Overby.

Three candidates are vying for the position.

David Overby

Currently serves as a committee member on the Metropolitan Planning Organization
Member of the Government Finance Officers Association
Served 12 years as the City Clerk in Ridgeland
Served as County Administrator in Madison
Recently appointed Finance Manager at the City of Canton
Worked in public accounting for 20 years auditing business and governments and providing financial and business management consulting

Ronny Lott

Led the fight that reduced property taxes.
Driving force behind settlement of wasteful $6 million dollar MDOT lawsuit.
Opposed all proposals to increase property taxes.
100% voting record in support of education and law enforcement.
Helped create business-friendly environment for creation of new jobs.
Opposed unnecessary third landfill.
Perfect attendance at meetings of the Board of Supervisors regularly scheduled.

Irby Ford

28 years as a Deputy Tax Assessor and Department Head over the Mapping Division with the Madison County Tax Assessors Office.
State Certified Appraiser (Mississippi State University).
Missisippi Assessment Evaluator, MAE (State Bureau of revenue).
Associate of Applied Science Degree (Holmes Community College).
Certificate of Educational Recognition. (International Association of Assessing Officers).
Cadastral Mapping Specialist (IAAO) Note: One of only two in the state of Missisippi to receive this international professional designation.

Click on the candidates names for their websites and bios. Be informed, educate yourself and vote. This vote matters.

Follow the blog:#BowTieLawyer Visit the website: #Thompson Law Firm You may also contact Matthew with your family law matter or question at (601) 850-8000 or Matthew@bowtielawyer.ms

Divorce

Don’t Kill the Golden Goose!

05/16/2014 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

That dirty, no good, weasley, little, you-know-what deserves to be run out-of-town on a rail and have it shouted from the roof tops that he’s sorry and no one should do business with him! Right??

Goose that Laid the Golden Egg Hand pulled silkscreen ca. 1950

WRONG!

Your initial reaction of disdain and disgust are understandable. But, bad mouthing the bread-winner in a divorce situation is akin to cutting off your own nose to spite your face. A New York divorcee recently learned the hard way, costing herself six figures in the process. She attacked her husband publicly for his reprehensible conduct and cost him significant business and dramatically decreased the value of his law firm.

It was needlessly self-destructive. That bread-winning spouse maintaining the ability to bring home the bacon will allow you to get more cheddar!

So, bad-mouth him to your lawyer, to your counselor and your mamma, but don’t run him down the road to his co-workers, don’t email all of her clients that she’s a home-wrecker.

Will it be easy? No. Is it the right thing? Maybe. Is it the Smart Play? Absolutely.

Matthew Thompson is a Divorce and Domestic Relations Attorney in Mississippi and if your goal is to have more bread in your pocket do NOT kill the Golden Goose.

Follow the blog:#BowTieLawyer Visit the website: #Thompson Law Firm You may also contact Matthew with your family law matter or question at (601) 850-8000 or Matthew@bowtielawyer.ms

General Legal

Recording the Police (and this has nothing to do with Sting)

05/15/2014 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

“It is perfectly legal to record on-duty police in every state in the country. That includes states that require all parties to a conversation to consent in order for that conversation to be recorded. Those laws all also contain a provision that the non-consenting party has a reasonable expectation of privacy. So far, every court to rule on this issue has found that on-duty cops in public spaces have no expectation of privacy and that recording them is protected by the First Amendment. (The U.S. Supreme Court has yet to weigh in on the matter.) In nearly all cases, the charges are eventually dismissed…”

– Radley Balko, Washington Post, The Watch

Matthew Thompson is a Divorce and Domestic Relations Attorney in the Magnolia State.

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You may also contact Matthew with your family law matter or question at (601) 850-8000

Divorce, Food Related

I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter & Divorce: What you Need to Know

05/14/2014 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

Per Capita Use of Margarine and the Declining Rate of Divorce in Maine

A website that has emphasized Spurious Correlations has made the connection between Per Capita Consumption of Margarine in the United States and Divorces in the State of Maine. As one has declined so has the other.

While scientist cannot directly link a cause and effect, perhaps using less margarine may make a stronger marriage…

Matthew Thompson is a Divorce and Domestic Relations Attorney in the Magnolia State. Follow the blog:#BowTieLawyer Visit the website: #Thompson Law Firm You may also contact Matthew with your family law matter or question at (601) 850-8000

Child Custody, Divorce, Opinion

Happy Mother’s Day!

05/09/2014 BowTieLawyer Leave a comment

Mother’s Day is Sunday.

Make sure that the mother of your children is recognized. Mothers are the most influential force on a child. Dads are important, no doubt, but a hug from mom makes everything better.

Too often, in separated families, the dad takes the position that “well, she’s not MY mother” and leaves it to the kids to take care of. Don’t. Help your child get an appropriate Mother’s Day gift, every time.

Send flowers, give a card – handmade by junior is a winner every time, a gift certificate for a massage, a dinner, the movies, or bowling, whatever it is, Do it.

Thompson Law Firm wishes all of the Mother’s out there a Happy Mother’s Day!

Divorce

Is Your Lawyer Just Running Up a Fee?

05/08/2014 BowTieLawyer 1 Comment

Lawyers and their fees, the bane of the client’s existence.

Lawyers bill in several ways, most commonly with retainers and hourly billing. A retainer is unearned money that is placed in the lawyer’s Trust Account. As the lawyer works on your case, talks to you, meets with you, emails, texts, or thinks about you, the lawyer charges you. As your charged the money is pulled from the Trust Account into the lawyer’s Operating Account. When the retainer gets low the lawyer sends a nice letter, called a “Replenish Retainer” letter. It says send more money. The client then calls and asks “how much is this going to cost me?” The response is ALWAYS the same, “It depends.”

Another way to bill is Value Pricing, or fixed fee pricing. This is when there is a pre-negotiated or agreed upon price on the front end of the case. The client and lawyer agree to the fee, the timing and circumstances under which it is due. Here the client knows how much it is going to cost them. In my experience most lawyers do not like this method because “high fees” scare clients away and some lawyers are not comfortable quoting fixed fees because they may limit what they can charge.

There are pros and cons to each method. The hourly billing method is great if the matter settles quickly, but persons in the position needing lawyers are rarely in the settle-easy category. The fixed fee method allows you to plan, budget and make a fully informed decision.

Whatever method your lawyer uses, make sure you understand it. Make sure you appreciate the full cost and expense you are facing.

Thompson Law Firm uses the Value Pricing and fixed fee approach to handling your legal matter.