News & Knowledge

Malissa Wilson and Spencer Ritchie will be speakers at the upcoming Mini Law School for HR Professionals seminar.  This is a basic level seminar that will examine the current issues in human resource law for attorneys, Human Resources and financial professionals, and other business executives.  Malissa and Spencer would love for you to join them!

Malissa Wilson and Spencer Ritchie were speakers at the Human Resource Law from A to Z seminar, held March 27-28, 2019, in Pearl, Mississippi. The basic-to-intermediate level seminar provided a comprehensive overview of current issues in human resource law for attorneys, Human Resource and financial professionals, and other business executives.  Wilson and Ritchie spoke about discrimination and harassment; workplace behavioral issues; workplace privacy and employee monitoring; and, disciplining and firing employees. Click here to learn more about FormanWatkins’ Labor & Employment practice.

The Monmouth & Ocean County Veterans Information and Resources Clinic was held on Saturday, March 30, 2019, and New Jersey Partners Tom Toman and Nicole Diesa were among those who volunteered. The event was held at the James J. Howard Outpatient Clinic in Brick, New Jersey, and it was successful in reaching a number of younger Veterans that do not normally use the Clinic or any other traditional Veterans groups. Overall, there were 10+ legal consultations conducted, with participation from six additional Veterans aide groups. Based on the success of the event, the president of the Ocean County Bar has asked that another joint Veterans Information and Resources Clinic be organized for later this year. This was the second pro bono event orchestrated by the Monmouth Bar Association as part of a new Veterans’ program that was initiated by FormanWatkins in 2018.

FormanWatkins Partner Malissa Wilson participated in the mini-mentoring session at the 2019 Bessie Young Council Mentoring Conference on Friday, March 29, 2019, at the University of Mississippi School of Law.  The session involved attorneys meeting with students to discuss their respective area of legal practice, work/life balance, what they look for in an associate, and what impresses firms when they interview potential associates.  The mission of this annual conference is to provide learning and networking opportunities for non-traditional law students and young lawyers.  Through its annual conference, the Bessie Young Council shares the experiences of its member attorneys and others in the field to help foster successful careers for those law students and young lawyers who may encounter unique obstacles along the way. Pictured below are Mentors from the 2019 Bessie Young Council Conference.

The FormanWatkins Women’s Initiative was a proud sponsor and attendee of the 26th Annual Evelyn Gandy Lecture Series, hosted by the Mississippi Bar Women in the Profession Committee at the Grand Hotel in Point Clear, Alabama, February 22-24, 2019.  As a scholarship sponsor, FormanWatkins provided funding for Mississippi law students to participate in this mentorship event.  Highlights from this year’s Gandy included a lecture by Judy Perry Martinez, ABA President-Elect Designee, who spoke on the future of the legal profession, in addition to a panel discussion with judges from the state’s appellate and trial courts.  Conference attendees also participated in a panel discussion regarding successful integration of pro bono and community service in the practice of law wherein panel members recognized the pro bono culture at FormanWatkins.

The FormanWatkins New Orleans office recently hosted the Legal Marketing Association’s local Baton Rouge/New Orleans group for a special lagniappe session that was being held for its members and friends.  Susan Freeman, CEO & Chief Client Happiness Officer of Freeman Means Business, presented “Understanding Gender-Based Communications,” where attendees learned about various communication styles and how to adapt their style to others to

We are excited to announce that phase 2 construction of our Jackson office is officially underway!  This phase will integrate the remainder of the 21st floor of the Regions building (which, until December of 2018, held another occupant) into the current FormanWatkins space, providing us with an additional 4500 square feet of space to accommodate our inevitable growth. The new section will continue the same open, unified workspace that is found throughout the rest of our Jackson office.  Below are some initial construction pictures. 

FormanWatkins is proud to announce that Charles Abbott has been selected by New Orleans CityBusiness to its 2019 Leadership in Law class.  Each year New Orleans CityBusiness recognizes 50 area professionals in the field of law for their career and community accomplishments.  To celebrate this year’s honorees, an event will be held in May at the New Orleans Museum of Art.  This isn’t Charles’ first time to be recognized as part of the Leadership in Law class—he also received the honor in 2014.

The FormanWatkins Women’s Initiative recently held a financial health luncheon with representatives from Merrill Lynch.  Female attorneys from all FWK offices were in attendance to discuss financial health issues affecting women in the profession.  This is the second year that the Women’s Initiative has hosted this informal event, providing a space for our female attorneys to start a conversation with women in finance about personal financial management.

FormanWatkins recently had the pleasure of welcoming Dima Ghawi to the Jackson office to speak to our attorneys as part of the Firm’s Diversity & Inclusion initiative.  Attorneys from all FWK offices attended, and Dima presented “Diversity & Inclusion: Worth More than Gold,” which focused on the many different types of diversity, the proven benefits of diversity, and how to be intentional in creating diversity in the workplace.