Tag Archives: judge

Child Custody, Divorce, General Legal

Hinds Chancery Judge Race

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Hinds County has four full-time Family Law Judges. The qualifying deadline is May for those persons seeking to become the next Chancellor. Qualifiers, so far, include;

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Dewayne Thomas Chancery Court Judge 5 Sub 5-1

Judge Thomas is a shoe-in to win. Not only because he is unopposed currently, though that helps, but also because he has a reputation for fair rulings, a good judicial temperament and willingness to listen.

 

Subdistrict 2 is the race to watch right now.(primarily because it is the only contested race).

Patricia Wise Chancery Court Judge 5 Sub 5-2

Judge Wise is the incumbent. She has served as a Chancellor since being elected in 1989. Judge Wise has reputation for being tough and insisting that attorneys and litigants respect the Court and follow the required procedures. The rumor was Judge Wise considered retirement, but she has qualified and is seeking another four years.

Reginald Harrion Chancery Court Judge 5 Sub 5-2

Reginald Harrion is challenging Judge Wise for the District 2 seat. Harrion, an associate with Schwartz & Associates, P.A., is admitted to practice in Mississippi, Arizona and Georgia. He has been practicing for nearly 20 years.

 

Denise Owens Chancery Court Judge 5 Sub 5-3

Judge Owens is the Senior Chancellor, meaning she has been the longest-serving Chancellor of the current Judges. Rumors swirled about Judge Owens possibly retiring as well. However, Judge Owens qualified to run again. Judge Owens has a good reputation and is known for thoughtful, fair rulings.

 

Steven P. Nixon Chancery Court Judge 5 Sub 5-4

Subdistrict 4 will be lead by a new Chancellor in 2019, with the retirement of Judge Singletary. So far, only one candidate has qualified for this seat, Steven Nixon. Nixon has been in private practice since 2004 and has also served as Municipal Court Judge in Clinton. Nixon has a good reputation as an attorney and will make a good jurist.

The rumor-mill has at least another attorney qualifying for this seat, but has not as of the time of this posting.

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law Attorney in Mississippi and limits his practice to almost exclusively Chancery Court in the State.

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Child Custody, Divorce, General Legal

Rankin Chancery Judicial Election

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Again?!? It seems there is a Judicial race every year. Normally, this is not the case, but the legislature saw fit to create new judicial positions and with the untimely passing of a sitting Chancellor, another election is around the corner.

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I’m not sure why a graduation cap is in this graphic.

Rankin County Mississippi will host a contested Chancery Judge election this fall. Contested in the nicest sense of the word!

Running as the incumbent is John McLaurin.

John McLaurin was selected by Governor Bryant to fill the vacancy left by Judge Dan Fairly’s passing. Judge McLaurin served as the Family Master for Rankin County since 2007, hearing the exact type of cases he now hears as a full-time Chancellor.

Judge McLaurin “has extensive legal experience with heavy emphasis in the chancery court system. He is a lifelong resident of Rankin County…” said Bryant.

McLaurin holds a bachelors degree from Vanderbilt University and graduated from the University of Mississippi School of Law. Prior to taking the bench, he practiced law at McLaurin & McLaurin since 1976.

McLaurin is a lifelong member of Brandon First United Methodist Church. He and his wife, the late Carol Noel McLaurin, were married for 33 years. They have two adult children and two granddaughters. http://www.governorbryant.com/gov-bryant-appoints-john-mclaurin-jr-as-rankin-county-chancery-judge/

* As a point of interest, McLaurin is the great-great nephew of the former Governor of Mississippi, and U.S. Senator, Anselm McLaurin, and is related to the late Robin Williams.

Running as the challenger is James “Jim” Nix.

Jim has practiced law for over 35 years and same was devoted almost exclusively to matters which are within the substantive jurisdiction of the Chancery Court.

You may remember attorney Nix from the last contested Rankin County Chancery race.

Neither candidate has really cranked up their political machines. However, this will be the most civil and professional contested race, ever, in Mississippi.

Matthew Thompson is a Mississippi Family Law Attorney and wishes both candidates could win.

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

Racing in Rankin; Chancery Judge Election is a Four-Man Race

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Rankin County politics are always exciting.  The Chancery Judge race is likely to be as well.

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

Click here for You CAN Pick your Judge.

4 candidates are in the final mix, but it’s not the same line-up as previously blogged.

Haydn Roberts has jumped in and Craig Slay has bowed out.

Rankin County,the 20th Chancery District, is currently served by Judge John Grant and Judge John McLaurin, just appointed by the Governor. A new position, for a third Judge, has been created by the legislature with the election to be held November 3, 2015.

Haydn Roberts

Haydn Roberts is the latest candidate, but is a very familiar face. Roberts previously served as the Staff Attorney in Rankin County for Judges Grant and Fairly for the past eight years. He has been involved “in over 10,000 cases by assisting the Chancery Judges with case management and review, editing and writing opinions, helping local lawyers with procedure and guiding lawyers and litigants through the Chancery Court litigation process.”

Haydn is also serving as the Family Master, a position prior served by John McLaurin . The Family Master is a part-time Judge hearing Emergency Petitions,Temporary Hearings and the types of matters the current Chancellors hear.

Roberts graduated from Ole Miss and Mississippi College School of Law.

Prentiss M.  Grant

Prentiss Grant “has lived and built his law practice in Rankin County for the past twenty-six years. Prentiss’ law practice is concentrated in family law, and eighty percent of his cases are tried in Rankin Chancery Court.”

Grant  graduated from Northeast Louisiana University and Mississippi College School of Law.

Rusty Williard 

Rusty Williard has “spent 30 years trying Chancery cases and 15 years [in] Rankin County.”  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.

Williard graduated from Millsaps College and l Mississippi College School of Law. 

James (Jim) M. Nix

Limited information was available about Attorney Nix. An on-line presence was not readily apparent.

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

Matthew Thompson is a Family Law Attorney and practices in Rankin County Chancery Court.  Residents of Rankin County should research and support the candidate of their choice for this important position. 

Follow the blog: BowTieLawyer

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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.

Crime, General Legal

The Judge is in Jail

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A former Chancery Court Judge in Mississippi is on his way to Prison.

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Joe Dale Walker, former Chancellor over Covington, Jefferson Davis, Lawrence, Simpson and Smith counties, plead Guilty in October for his on-the-bench conduct.

Federal charges included that he instructed a federal grand jury witness to destroy documents and then lied to FBI agents about it.

According to the FBI, Walker directed an attorney (the witness) he had appointed for a Conservatorship to solicit bids for the construction of a home for the ward. Of the bids obtained, one was from the Judge’s nephew.  The Judge reviewed the bids in his office and instructed his nephew to increase his bid. Walker then transferred the case to the other Judge in the district for the limited purpose of accepting and approving the bid because of his nephew’s involvement. After the contract was awarded to Walker’s nephew, the case was transferred back to Walker by the second Judge.

Walker, knowing that a Grand Jury subpoena was outstanding for information concerning the bidding process, spoke with the witness about instructing his nephew to increase his bid and the original bid and any existing copies.

When interviewed by the FBI, Walker denied  talking with the witness about his nephew’s  bids and denied telling the witness that the original low bid needed to be “somewhere else.”

Walker was sentenced to 5 months in prison.  His nephew was likewise sentenced to 5 months in prison and 5 months home confinement.

“Don’t do the Crime, if you can’t do the Time” – Detective Anthony Vincenzo “Tony” Baretta

Follow the blog: BowTieLawyer Visit the website: Thompson Law FirmYou 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, Marriage, Opinion

Judges Love This – Making a Comeback; Turning Adversity into a Positive

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I’m not going to go all Tony Robbins on you, but Judges love a comeback story.

Adversity is a part of life.  Oftentimes it is self-inflicted. I see a lot of clients that do things that are against their own best interests and it is a safe bet that at the next hearing they will have to answer questions about it.  However, just because you did some things you should not have does not mean you should give up and wallow.

I represented a client who was an alcoholic.  This person would drink themselves into oblivion and was an abusive person under the influence.  As expected it lead to trouble in the marriage and home-life and with work.  It impacted every aspect of their life.  He was sued and the wife sought temporary custody and sought to get temporary support.  He was served and summoned to a court date.  We showed up and the other attorney was expecting a fight.

We had a conference with the Judge and the other attorney told the Court all of the awful things my client does while under the influence. The Judge, so used to hearing two or three sides to every story, asked for my take.  I advised the Judge my client had a serious problem with alcohol and when under the influence acted in an inappropriate and unjustified manner, however when sober was a great father, worker and person. That the real issue was addiction and that my client needed help.

The Judge and the other side were surprised by the candidness displayed.  The Judge told a story of her own relative who struggled with alcohol abuse and that she wished he would have had the opportunity for help. The Judge stated that if he admitted a problem that she would assist in getting him help and would not hold it against him.

He was committed to an alcohol treatment program and his support obligations were held in abeyance pending completion.  It was exactly what was needed.

You can turn negatives into positives, you just have to stop doing the negatives…

Matthew Thompson is a Mississippi Divorce Attorney and will try to help you turn adversity into advantage.

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

Child Custody, Child Support, Divorce, General Legal, Marriage

Here Comes the Judge; Election Results

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Mississippians elected some new Judges and re-hired some familiar ones.  Of the contested elections here’s what we have so far.

Winners in Bold.

Chancery Court, District 11, Place 1 (Madison, Yazoo and Holmes)

This is a new Judge as Judge Goree is retiring.

Chancery Court, District 8, Place 2 (The Coast)

Chancery Court, District 8, Place 3 (The Coast)

Chancery Court, District 13, Place 1 (Covington, Jefferson Davis, Lawrence, Simpson & Smith)

This race was interesting as the incumbent, Shoemake, ran and won against Buffington in the last election – who was the Judge prior to Shoemake. Buffington sought to be re-hired, Shoemake held the seat.

Chancery Court, District 13, Place 2 (Covington, Jefferson Davis, Lawrence, Simpson & Smith)

Heading for a run-off between Martin and Burnham. This seat was vacated by Joe Dale Walker for Judicial misconduct.

Chancery Court, District 16, Place 1 (The Coast)

Too close to call and are still counting affidavit ballots.

Chancery Court, District 16, Place 3 (The Coast)

Fondren will be a new Chancery Judge and this race was interesting as the outgoing Judge, Chuck Bordis, withdrew from the race. There was gossip of soap opera issues between Bordis and Fondren.  Interestingly, its exactly the type of matters Chancery Judge’s hear. Nothing better than real-life experience for preparation for the job.

Chancery Court, District 18, Place 1 (Benton, Calhoun, Lafayette, Marshall & Tippah)

Chancery Court, District 18, Place 2 (Benton, Calhoun, Lafayette, Marshall & Tippah)

Matthew Thompson is a Chancery Court Attorney in Mississippi and will continue to update the Family Law Judicial elections that effect you.

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

Getting STUNG in Court!

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Seldom in Court does everything go in one party’s favor, but there are times where the party-in-the-wrong get’s STUNG by the Court.

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How do you know if you got Stung in Court?  Oh, you know.

  • You may have been dressed down by the Judge.
  • He may have stated that your conduct was petty or silly.
  • A finding that your lawsuit was frivolous.
  • Perhaps your claim was dismissed in its entirety.
  • When the other side is preparing the Order and it was not an “Agreed” judgment, that too can be a sign of a win or loss.
  • If you were held in contempt.

But there is also another sign of getting Stung. Are you paying your opponent’s attorneys fees?

If you’re paying the other party’s Attorneys Fees, you got Stung!

Matthew Thompson is a Divorce Attorney in Mississippi and warns clients to not get Stung!

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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