Tag Archives: chancery judge

Divorce, General Legal, Opinion

The Race is ON! Electing Judges Mississippi style.

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In Mississippi we pick our judges like we pick class favorites. The winner is whoever gets the most votes. The qualifying deadline passed, just minutes ago, and below are your candidates.

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This post is focused on certain Family Law Judge races primarily, because that is what I primarily do. I will expound on other judicial races in future posts. This link will take you to all of the candidates.

Races to Watch.

HINDS COUNTY

Chancery Court Judge Sub 5-1

Dewayne Thomas 

Unopposed. Congratulations Judge Thomas.

Chancery Court Judge Sub 5-2

Patricia Wise – Current Chancellor – Withdrawn

The rumor mill had her retiring effective the end of this year and that appears true as she is not listed among the candidates.

Reginald Harrion 

Qualified early and is in it to win it.

Crystal Wise Martin

Recently qualified. Interestingly, this is Judge Wise’s daughter. She was technically running against her mother for a few weeks.

Chancery Court Judge Sub 5-3

Denise Owens 

Unopposed. The current Senior Chancellor is signing  up for 4 more years. Congratulations Judge Owens

Chancery Court Judge Sub 5-4

Steven P. Nixon 

Qualified early and was hoping to be the only candidate in the field. However, three additional candidates qualified to run for this spot this week. This is an Open seat due to Judge Singletary’s announced retirement.

Tiffany Grove

Qualified this week.

Monique Brown-Barrett

Qualified this week.

Ottawa Carter, Jr. 

Qualified this week.

RANKIN COUNTY

Chancery Court Judge 20, 1

John C. McLaurin, Jr. 

Unopposed. Congratulations Judge McLaurin.

Chancery Court Judge 20, 1

Tamekia Cooper Bennett

Mel Coxwell

Troy Odom

Place 2 is the race to watch in Rankin. Judicial stalwart John Grant is retiring.

Chancery Court Judge 20, 3

Haydn J. Roberts 

Unopposed. Congratulations Judge Roberts

LAUDERDALE COUNTY

Chancery Court Judge 12 – 1 (includes other areas)

Charles E. “Charlie” Smith
Frances Smith Stephenson 

This should be a tight race. This is an open seat due to Judge Mason’s retirement. The winner will have big shoes to fill with Mason’s retirement, but will have perhaps the best asset possible across the hall for all things Chancery, their colleague Judge Larry Primeaux.

LEFLORE COUNTY

Chancery Court Judge 7, Sub 7-2 (includes additional Delta counties)

Katherine Tackett Mills 
Willie J. Perkins, Sr. 
Richard W. Ryals, II

This is an open seat due to Judge Barnwell’s retirement.

SIMPSON COUNTY

Chancery Court Judge 13, 1

David Shoemake

Allen Buffington

Judge Shoemake had an opponent early on who withdrew to run for Andy Gipson’s position once Gipson was elevated (removed) from the legislature. Buffington is a familiar name, but it is NOT the previous Judge Buffington, that was Larry. This will be an interesting race to watch. Shoemake has some weak spots…

THE COAST

Chancery Court Judge 8, 3

Margaret Alfonso 
Diane Herman Ellis
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.

Attorney Ellis, a practitioner, has some acclaim for a case of first impression in Mississippi that ultimately made law that a child born of the marriage, of a same-sex marriage is of the marriage, even though genetic material may have come from a different source.

There are other hotly contested races in Starkville, Hattiesburg, the Coast and other judicial positions. Stay tuned for the 411!

Matthew Thompson is a lawyer and will likely run for judge in 15-25 years. It’s never too early to start campaigning!

Divorce, Marriage

Judge Election Update: Rankin Chancery, Madison Chancery Judge Elections; Roberts in Rankin, Walker in Madison…

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The votes are in. Rankin County is getting a new Family Law Judge, and so is Madison, Leake, Yazoo and Holmes Counties.

Haydn Roberts– current Family Master, former staff attorney has been elected to be the third Chancellor for Rankin County.  This position was recently created by the legislature due to population increases in Rankin County and is much needed and will be a welcomed relief to ease the docket crowding currently in Rankin County.

Roberts stated he was “[E}xcited…I’m going to give everything in me, of course. Looking forward to…Court.“

James Walker– current Family Master, former staff attorney and DHS attorney handily won the 20th Chancery District race. This too was created by the legislature due to population increases in the district.

Walker released a statement, “I am deeply humbled and appreciative to be the next Chancery Judge for Madison, Leake, Holmes, and Yazoo Counties. This could not have been done without the support of my friends and family. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Last, but not least, thanks to the fine citizens of the 11th District for allowing me to serve you as your next Chancery Judge.”

Both candidates worked hard for their respective positions, campaigned with vigor and integrity and have the experience and demeanor to be great.

The Family Law Judiciary in Mississippi just got better!

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law Attorney in Mississippi and can handle your family law matter in Rankin, Madison, Leake, Holmes or Yazoo counties, as well as throughout the State.

Follow the blog:#BowTieLawyer 

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Child Custody, Divorce, General Legal

Judge Races are Set; Madison, Leake, Yazoo & Holmes

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This will be one of several posts on the Chancery Judge races in Mississippi.

The race is on. The field is set.  The filing deadline was close of business June 1.  It’s a two-horse race in Madison, Leake, Holmes and Yazoo Counties.

This district, 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 for this seat is James Walker. Walker has the backing of the majority of Family Law and Chancery practitioners in the vast majority of the district. Walker is the current Family Master for the District; hearing Emergency Petitions,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.

Pearlene Jones

Attorney, Pearlene Jones is the other candidate that has qualified to run.  She is a resident of Lexington,  in Holmes County. She currently serves as the County Prosecutor for Homes County. This is a part-time, elected position. Typically, a County Prosecutor’s office is responsible for the prosecution of all misdemeanor cases which occur within the County and filed in Justice Court by the Mississippi Highway Patrol, the County Sheriff’s Department, as well as citizen versus citizen affidavits.

Limited online information is available about Attorney Jones. This post will be updated as more information becomes available.

This non-partisan election will be held on November 3, 2015.

*Thompson Law Firm, pllc, is a Host for the James C. Walker for Chancery Judge campaign.

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.

Divorce, General Legal, Marriage

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

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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. 

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.

Child Custody, Child Support, Divorce, General Legal, Grandparent Visitation, Irreconcilable differences, Marriage, Modifications, Opinion

Chancery Judge Campaign in Full Swing.

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Madison, Yazoo, Leake and Holmes Counties will be getting a new Chancery Judge in the November 4, 2014, election.

A Chancery Judge hears matters involving wills and estates, child support and custody of minor children, divorces and alimony, and lunacy or commitment hearings.  The Judges also handle other matters, such as petitions to incorporate or enlarge a city, the establishment and management of drainage districts, children’s welfare funds, and other projects.

Why should you care?  Because this will be your judge if you find yourself in Court and it’s not due to a criminal case, a car wreck or an unpaid bill.

Who are the Candidates?

Bluntson has practiced law in Mississippi for the past 20 years.  She began her legal career in 1994 as a staff attorney for Mississippi Child Support.  Thereafter, she opened her private law firm where she handled divorces, child support, child custody and wills & estates cases.  A few years after the death of her husband, Barbara Ann was hired by the City of Jackson as the Chief City Prosecutor.  She maintained that position for 10 years.  As city prosecutor, Barbara Ann and her staff prosecuted in excess of 8,000 misdemeanor cases per year.  She also assisted domestic violence victims with Petitions for Protective Orders when they were filed in municipal court.  Barbara Ann currently serves as Deputy City Attorney for the City of Jackson and City Prosecutor for the City of Durant.  She is also a certified Family Law Mediator.

Clark is running for Chancery Judge because he believes the citizens of the 11th Chancery District would benefit from his experience, skills and proven record of serving the public in the district; as an Attorney, Municipal Judge and Youth Court Judge.  He has represented the citizens of the district in Chancery Court handling all types of cases. He touts that he is the only candidate that was born, raised and practiced law in District 11, Sub-district 1.  If elected Judge he promises to work daily to be fair and impartial judge who demonstrates sound judgement and run an efficient court.

Each name above is clickable, directing you to their election site as well as their FaceBook page.  Do your research, pick a candidate and vote!

Matthew Thompson is a Child Custody and Family Law Attorney and handles cases in Chancery Courts throughout Mississippi.

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

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