News & Knowledge

Mitch McGuffey and Peyton Smith successfully represented a family of five Iraqi Christians seeking asylum in the United States. The family fled from northern Iraq in fall of 2014 to escape ISIS and persecution on account of their religious beliefs. Mitch and Peyton drafted asylum briefs for each member of the family and represented them at their merits hearing in the New Orleans Immigration Court, where they were granted asylum. The firm is proud to have represented the family and prouder still that they can remain in the United States. The case was referred to FormanWatkins initially through its pro bono partnership with Catholic Charities of Jackson. Later, immigration attorney Amelia McGowan moved to a new position with another FormanWatkins pro bono partner, Mississippi Center for Justice. Amelia provided invaluable knowledge and support. The Firm’s Jackson attorneys are currently representing several other asylum seekers through its partnership with MCJ.

On Friday, July 26, 2019, attorneys and summer clerks from our Jackson office were among those who volunteered at the Hinds County Family Law and Expungement Clinic, a pro se legal clinic held at the Hinds County Chancery Courthouse. The clinic assisted individuals with a variety of legal matters, including uncontested ID divorces, uncontested guardianships, uncontested emancipations, custody changes, name changes/birth certificate corrections, simple wills, and felony and misdemeanor expungements.

Jackson associates Sam Kapoor and Taylor White recently won a criminal trial in the youth court of Lafayette County, Mississippi.  Kapoor and White represented a minor charged with simple assault by threat.  After Kapoor and White put on the Youth Defendant’s case-in-chief, which involved the cross-examination of the victim, two police officers, and a detective, the Defense moved the Court for a directed verdict.  Finding the State failed to present sufficient evidence of subjective fear, an essential element of the charge of simple assault by threat, the Court granted their motion and directed a verdict in favor of the Youth Defendant.

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 is a proud participant in this Spring’s Monmouth & Ocean County Veterans Information and Resources Clinic, taking place Saturday, March 30, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the James J. Howard Outpatient Clinic in Brick, New Jersey.  This clinic was first held in November of 2018, and its success resulted in the planning for a joint program with Ocean County.  Please refer to the flyer below for services that will be provided at the March 30 clinic, and be sure to pass the information along to local New Jersey Veterans.

FormanWatkins released its 2018 Pro Bono & Civic Engagement Report today.  The Firm’s pro bono efforts are led by our Pro Bono Committee, whose members include: Alison McMinn, Courtney Hunt, Erin Latuso, Margaret McLaughlin, Mimi Arthur, Mitch McGuffey, and Vernon McFarland.

On November 17, 2018, New Jersey partners Tom Toman and Nicole Diesa were among the 18+ Monmouth Bar Association (“MBA”) attorneys who volunteered at the Monmouth County Veterans Information and Resources Clinic held at Monmouth University and provided free consultations to Veterans on various legal topics.

New Jersey partner, Thomas M. Toman Jr., is grateful to be one of the members from the Monmouth Bar Association organizing a new pro bono legal clinic for local Veterans.  The clinic will be held on Saturday, November 17, and will use local attorneys, appearing pro bono, to give legal advice to Veterans on a variety of legal issues.  The Monmouth Bar Association is co-sponsoring the event with Monmouth University.  Additional services will be provided by the Veterans Administration, Monmouth County Veterans Services, and the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, as well as other community Veteran service providers.  The Monmouth County Clerk’s office will also be available on site to provide Veteran identification cards.

November 2018: FormanWatkins successfully argued the appeal on behalf of an indigent prisoner seeking medical care. 

Courtney Hunt successfully represented a Guatemalan woman seeking asylum in the United States.  The basis of the asylum claim was persecution that the client had suffered on account of an imputed political opinion.  The firm drafted the client’s asylum brief and represented her at her hearing in the Memphis Immigration Court.  The case was referred to Forman Watkins through its pro bono partnership with Catholic Charities in Jackson, whose immigration attorney Amelia McGowan provided invaluable support.  The firm’s Jackson attorneys are currently representing several other asylum seekers through this partnership.